Yamaha Motor Company — the Japanese manufacturer of motorcycles, boats, and other recreational vehicles — announced Wednesday that they were phasing out their snowmachines. After over five decades since the first Yamaha snowmachine model was released, the company said they plan to end sales of the machines in North America after the 2025 model year.
In a statement, the Japanese company said it aimed to grow its business through more environmentally friendly motors, and it would “be difficult to continue a sustainable business in the snowmobile market.”
For many Alaskans, especially those living in Northern Alaska, snowmachines are an essential part of winter travel. That’s especially true for rural communities not connected by roads.
For some, snowmachines serve a recreational purpose. Mike Vasser is the executive director for Iron Dog — billed as “the world’s longest and toughest snowmobile race.” The 2,500 mile course begins in Big Lake and travels north to the Seward Peninsula and Northwest Arctic before circling back. Vasser says the Yamaha phase out would have little effect on the Iron Dog Race.
“It shouldn’t have any impact on us,” he said. “We haven’t had the Yamaha sled entered in the race for at least seven years, I think. Nor have they been a sponsor.”
While Vasser called the move a “sad day for the snowmobile industry,” he’s not really losing sleep over it.
“I’m personally a Yamaha vintage collector and have been for a long, long time,” he said. “So in my opinion, the value of my sled just went through the roof because they’re not gonna be available anymore.”
Yamaha thanked their dealers and customers for years of loyalty. They said parts, availability and maintenance service will be available after the final production run in 2025.
Yamaha’s new 2024 snowmachine models are in production and scheduled for fall delivery.
View Original Story by Desiree Hagen, KOTZ
