A production unit in France has been renamed Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Europe (YMME), becoming the European production base for Yamaha.
The factory was previously called MBK Industrie S.A.S., referred to as “MBK”, and has been used as a production unit by Yamaha Motor Europe, which has owned the facilities since 1986, for motorcycles such as the Tenere 700, MT-125, and XMAX. The factory’s name change “is part of Yamaha Motor’s long-term vision and reinforces its commitment to local European production as a competitive and sustainable advantage,” the manufacturer states.
The factory will diversify its product range, with electric vehicles becoming more relevant, according to Yamaha.
The name change from MBK to YMME is one of the first actions of Yamaha Motor Europe under the leadership of its new president and CEO, Olivier Prevost, who replaced Eric de Seynes on January 1.
Prevost stated: “It is with great emotion that I see the evolution of MBK Industrie into Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Europe. I started my career at MBK 30 years ago and, throughout all these years, I have paid special attention to MBK.
“The operations and product line have continuously evolved to currently reach a high level of excellence that allows the production of Yamaha’s flagship models in this factory. This has been made possible thanks to the involvement and efforts of all employees over the past 40 years. I would like to express my recognition and gratitude to all of them.”
“Looking to the future, it has become clear that now is the time to change the name to Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Europe. More than a symbolic move, it is a clear recognition for the company within the Yamaha Motor Group and will support the adoption of a more comprehensive range of Yamaha products.”
