Yamaha’s Viking VI utility vehicleYanmar and Yahama Motor have created a business alliance in which Yanmar will sell Yahama Viking and Viking VI utility task vehicles (UTVs) in the U.S. under its brand name beginning January 2017 through its “farmer-oriented” network.
“The aim of this business alliance is to expand sales in the growing U.S. ROV [recreational off-highway vehicles] market by leveraging the strengths of the two companies, namely Yamaha’s technical capabilities and manufacturing know-how, and Yanmar’s farmer-oriented dealer network in the U.S.,” the companies said in a statement.
The Viking is a three seat UTV introduced in 2013. The Viking VI was introduced a year later and offers six seats
New versions of the two models will feature new coloring and graphics and gasoline engines, a new option for Yanmar as it has supplied solely diesel engines and drive units to the U.S. agricultural vehicle market. Yahama Motor Manufacturing Corporation will manufacture them in Georgia.
The companies report demand for UTVs in the U.S. market has been increasing in recent years, and have been used in agricultural and dairy farming in addition to recreational purposes.
