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| Toru Osugi, president of Yamaha Canada |
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With over 500 dealerships across Canada and plans for future growth, Yamaha Motor Canada (YMCA) has undeniably left its mark on the country.
Initially set up in 1973 to sell snowmobiles and motorcycles in Canada, the company has since widened its product range to include all-terrain vehicles, sideby-side vehicles, boats, personal watercraft, outboards, power products and accessories.
‘‘I think Canada is one of the most ideal countries in the world for Yamaha to succeed. The outdoor, recreational lifestyle fits well with all of our product offerings,’’ says President Toru Osugi.
‘‘Canada is such a large and rugged country. It has many different landscapes and thoroughly experiences all four seasons. Our diverse product line thrives in an area such as this.’’
The ‘‘Yamaha Experience’’ is a corporate philosophy that resonates in all YMCA employees and dealerships, especially with Osugi.
‘‘We have a diverse range of products that are designed well, and continue to stay innovative and fresh. It’s these factors that keep our customers coming back. It’s our goal to continually exceed our customers’ expectations,’’ he says.
The company also set up the Yamaha University, a program unique to Canada established this year to train dealerships on customer service.
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| Yamaha’s plant in Ontario |
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‘‘Customer service is one of our top priorities. When you decide to buy a Yamaha, you become part of our family and it is the beginning of a long-term relationship. We always want you to feel great satisfaction with your purchase,’’ comments Osugi.
Over the years, Yamaha has also become involved in communities across Canada. YMCA has worked with the Canadian Mental Health Association and raised money for several other charitable causes, including hospitals and public service institutions.
In line with its corporate citizenship, YMCA also maintains a firm commitment to preserve the environment. Usually, this takes place through product development but occasionally can take other forms. Most recently, it funded efforts to keep an environmentally sensitive fish hatchery open.
‘‘Our product direction is moving toward a coexistence of excitement and environmental friendliness. We know our customers want to be sensitive to the habitat yet still want all the excitement and performance associated with our products. Our challenge is to do both extremely well, and we look forward to this task,’’ Osugi points out.
The latest product offering from Yamaha came in February when it released a new class of four-stroke snowmobiles.
www.yamaha-motor.ca
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