AFTER announcing in 2020 that it will spin off its motorcycle business after losing about $47 million due to a major drop in sales caused by the pandemic, the Japanese motorcycle maker recently confirmed that they will start producing more electric-only motorcycles by 2035.
This announcement, first made in October 2021 was recently confirmed by the Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) news portal where it was also mentioned that refocusing investments in its motorcycle and train business meant increases in production and development of new products.
“Kawasaki will change its organization significantly in order to enable agile action in the rapidly changing world,” Hiroshi Ito, President of the motorcycle & engine company at KHI said. Kawasaki’s worldwide powersports covering motorcycles, personal watercraft and recreational vehicles as well as and general-purpose engine businesses will become an independent company known as “Kawasaki Motors, Ltd” at the beginning of October 2021.
The move to separate the businesses is also expected to fast-track the development of electric-powered models and hybrid motorcycle models. Around ten different models from electrified superbikes to small scooters are expected to be released by 2035.
KHI laid out plans for a $265 million investment to increase global production capacity focused on the USA and then the rest of the world over the next five years.
“Kawasaki is also increasing investments in new product development which will be available in the near future, especially in the growing MULE, ATV and JetSki markets as well as innovative new street motorcycles, our new electric, hybrid, and hydrogen power source projects and off-road motorcycles,” Ito said in a press statement.
Other Japanese motorcycle makers won’t be left behind in the electrification race. Yamaha Motor Co. said it wants 20 percent of its global new motorcycles sales to be for electrified bikes by 2035 and 90 percent in 2050. Honda Motor Co. has not announced a target for its electric-powered motorcycles program, but it has been producing models for business use that run on electricity. Already pictures of prototyped electric model motorcycles for personal use are circulating on the Internet. It plans its’ first all-electric bike in 2024. Suzuki too made hints of electric motorcycles but no formal announcements were made.
The four major motorcycle makers, agreed late last year, to standardize replaceable batteries for electrified motorcycles and will promote “going electric” by improving battery life and functionality.
