Yamaha announce motorbike plans to increase sales

Toru Hasegawa, president of Yamaha Motor plans to develop the world's first methanol fuel cell for small motorcycles.

He spoke at a press conference called to explain how Japan's second largest motorcycle maker plans to use technology to increase sales.

"In the long run, we aim to raise our motorcycle market share in the world to 20 per cent, or 7 million units a year by 2010" he said.

He said that the company plans to expand the application of its proprietary electronically controlled fuel-injection system to all its motorcycle models by 2007.

Kunihiko Nakajima, MD for Yamaha Motor said the company had already begun development on the methanol fuel cell motorcycle but did not say when it would be ready to market.

He indicated modest sales because of the cycle's likely high sticker price.

Yamaha Motor, listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange also produces boats, outboard motors, snowmobiles and provided automobile engines to Toyota Motor Corp and Ford Motor Co.