India Emerging as Global Engineering, Manufacturing and Export hub for Yamaha: Jim Aota

Yamaha Motor Company is positioning India as a global hub for engineering, manufacturing and exports as it expands its presence in one of the world’s largest two-wheeler markets, according to Jim Aota, Chairman of Yamaha Motor India Group.

Speaking at the global launch of the new Yamaha YZF-R2, Aota said India’s role within the Japanese two-wheeler maker’s operations is moving beyond serving the domestic market.

“India is no longer just a domestic powerhouse. India is rapidly emerging as a global hub for Yamaha,” Aota said.

He said Yamaha is strengthening its local research, development and manufacturing capabilities, while using India to produce and export motorcycles designed for international markets. He described the country as a “cornerstone of Yamaha’s global future”.

The R2 is expected to be an important part of this strategy. While Yamaha did not commit to production or export numbers, Autocar Professional learns that the company has guided its vendors to prepare for annual volumes of around one lakh units.

Yamaha is eyeing annual sales of about 50,000 R2s in India, with the remaining output expected to be exported to markets including Europe, Japan and Taiwan. This would make exports central to the motorcycle’s business case, with India serving as the manufacturing base for the global R2 programme.

The motorcycle has been designed from the outset for multiple international markets, rather than being developed as an India-specific model and subsequently adapted for exports.

The expanding global role comes amid a sharp improvement in Yamaha’s domestic performance. The company crossed four lakh units in the first half of 2026, recording 41% year-on-year growth and outpacing the broader Indian two-wheeler market.

The domestic two-wheeler industry grew by more than 20% during the period, while the premium segment expanded by 37%, according to Ravinder Singh, senior vice-president, Yamaha Motor India Sales.

Yamaha’s premium segment sales increased by nearly 49%, while its premium motorcycle portfolio grew by 59%. The R15, MT-15 and XSR155 together accounted for more than 1.4 lakh units during the first half of the calendar year.

Its scooter business also recorded strong growth, with domestic sales rising 38% to more than 1.88 lakh units.

The performance reflects Yamaha’s decision to concentrate on premium motorcycles and scooters rather than compete across the entire mass-market two-wheeler space.

“India remains a world volume leader. But the real story right now is value and premiumisation,” Aota said.

He added that premiumisation is not defined only by engine capacity or price. Yamaha sees it as a combination of performance, technology, design, ownership experience and the emotional connection between the product and its rider.

To support its expansion, Yamaha is strengthening its retail reach, particularly in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. The company expects its premium Blue Square network to exceed 600 touchpoints by the end of 2026.

The YZF-R2 is the latest addition to this strategy and has been developed from the ground up as the new flagship of Yamaha’s entry-level supersport range.

The motorcycle is powered by a newly developed 204cc engine producing 26.5hp. Yamaha claims the R2 offers the highest power output and lowest weight in its class. It weighs 149kg.

According to Shinya Harato, project leader for the YZF-R2 at Yamaha Motor Japan, the new engine and lightweight construction were central to achieving the motorcycle’s acceleration and performance targets.

Yamaha has developed a new chassis for the R2, reducing its weight by 2.8kg while retaining the rigidity required for a supersport motorcycle. Its dimensions and riding position draw on the company’s larger R-series models but have been calibrated for a broader range of riders and markets.

The R2 also gets an electronic throttle and Yamaha Riding Control, allowing riders to adjust throttle response, traction control and quick-shifter settings.

It will be offered in three versions: the standard YZF-R2, a version equipped with a quick-shifter and the higher-specification R2M. The R2M adds adjustable suspension, adjustable levers and a smart key.

The new model builds on the R15 franchise, which Yamaha introduced in India in 2008. The company says the R15 has established a leading position in the 126cc-200cc premium segment and played a central role in building its supersport identity in the country.

Alongside its conventional motorcycle and scooter business, Yamaha is also evaluating electric mobility and flex-fuel technologies. Aota said these initiatives are helping the company build capabilities in sustainable and next-generation transportation.

The global R2 programme is an early indication of how Yamaha intends to expand India’s role within its operations, combining a growing premium motorcycle market with a manufacturing base capable of supplying several international markets.