Yamaha Motor Company — the Japanese manufacturer of boats, motorbikes and other vehicles for recreation -The company announced on Wednesday that they are moving away from snowmachines. In the more than five decades after the initial Yamaha snowmachine model came out the company stated that they were planning to stop the sales of snowmachines across North America after the 2025 model year.
In an announcement that was released, the Japanese company stated that it was looking to expand its business by using environmentally-friendly motors and that it could “be difficult to sustain an environmentally sustainable business in the market for snowmobiles.”
For many Alaskans, particularly those who live within Northern Alaska, snowmachines are vital to winter travel. This is especially relevant for communities in rural areas that aren’t connected to roads.
Some snowmobiles are used for to fulfill a purpose for recreation. Mike Vasser is the executive director of Iron Dog — billed as “the the world’s longest and most challenging racing snowmobile.” The 2,500-mile race begins at Big Lake and travels north towards The Seward Peninsula, and Northwest Arctic before circling back. Vasser states that the Yamaha phase-out will have no effect in Iron Dog Race. Iron Dog Race.
“It isn’t going to have any impact for us” He said. “We haven’t seen the Yamaha sled raced to race since about seven years, I believe. Also, they haven’t been sponsors.”
Although Vasser declared the move to be to be a “sad day for the snowmobile industry,”” the fact is that he’s not sleeping through the move.
“I’m personally an avid Yamaha collector of the past which I’ve been doing for a very and long duration,” the man said. “So according to me, I think the worth of my snow sled shot up because they’re no longer sold for long.”
Yamaha acknowledged its dealers and customers for their long-standing loyalty. They also announced that parts as well as maintenance services will be made available following the production’s final run in 2025.
Yamaha’s new snowmachine models for 2024 are currently in production and scheduled for delivery in the fall.
