Yamaha-Mahindra Two wheelers partnership deal not happening: Official word out!

Over the last week or so much was speculated about Japanese motorcycle major joining hands with Mahindra Two Wheelers in a partnership that was even speculated to be like the one Hero had with Honda. The rumor mills were on full steam with speculations rife about Mahindra approaching Yamaha for technology, while the latter could benefit from Mahindra’s distribution network into the Indian hinterland.

Yamaha R15 Version 2.0

While it sounded logical, Mahindra Two Wheelers, being Mahindra’s acquisition of Kinetic defunct two wheeler business, is an entity that is separate from Mahindra’s utility vehicles, commercial vehicle and tractor divisions. Another theory that was doing the rounds is that Yamaha’s scooter foray in 2012 was to use Mahindra Two Wheeler’s manufacturing facilities, as Mahindra already manufactures three scooters, the Rodeo, the Duro and the SYM Flyte.

Mahindra Rodeo

In under a week after these wild rumors first surfaced, the bubble has been burst by none other than Yamaha India Motors’ CEO & MD, Mr. Hiroyuki Suzuki, who had this to say about these rumor,

We are not looking for business partnership with any company. Our Mid-term plan is on track and we will be making sizeable investments for new product development, sales & service network strengthening and capacity expansion over the next few years.

So, there you go, it is now official that Yamaha is having nothing to do with Mahindra Two Wheelers as of now. Yamaha however is expected to launch its scooter range at the upcoming 2012 Indian Auto Expo. Mahindra Two Wheelers for its part might come up with the facelifted Duro at the 2012 Auto Expo even as it relaunches the Stallio, which was pulled off the market with gearbox gremlins. The fate of the much publicized 300cc Mahindra Mojo premium sportsbike remains unknown at the moment.