Leading Japanese automotive suspension manufacturer Kayaba is hiving off its entire motorcycle-dedicated operations into a new joint venture with Yamaha.
This enterprise, which will be called KYB Motorcycle Suspension, will have its ownership split on the basis of a 66.6 per cent Kayaba shareholding and 33.4 per cent held by Yamaha. Its foundation will be effective from 1 July 2013. Yamaha has also agreed to buy into Kayaba’s existing Indian subsidiary (which supplies its rapidly expanding bike factories in India) on a similar proportional basis.
According to a statement issued by the two partners, they intend to establish a global supply capability for motorcycle hydraulic shock absorbers and other suspension-related products. The goal is to sell products with the best performance and quality in the world at competitive prices. Plans call for selling these products to motorcycle manufacturers worldwide, including Yamaha.