Following the news that Kawasaki Heavy Industries is splitting their motorcycle and engine divisions from their main operations, Suzuki has announced that they are splitting their US motorcycle and marine divisions.

According to the Suzuki press release, “This new direction will reorganize the Suzuki Motorcycle/ATV and Marine Divisions into two separate companies set to begin operations on April 1, 2021.”

The motorcycle division, Suzuki Motor USA, LLC, will remain at their current headquarters in Brea, California. Suzuki Marine USA, LLC. will move to Tampa, Florida, to what Suzuki calls “the heart of the marine business in North America”. The move to Tampa also places Suzuki Marine much closer to the newly opened Marine Technical Center in Panama City, Florida.

The restructuring also comes on the heels of the announcement that Suzuki has severed ties with the JGR MX Team. With the worldwide pandemic taking its toll on the motorcycle business, neither of these announcements appear to indicate Suzuki is happy with their current situation. Yet, according to the press relase, “Both the Motorcycle/ATV and Marine Divisions are enjoying solid success in their respective businesses”.

The restructuring is said to enable each company to have the best opportunity for success, in part by allowing faster decision-making and realizing “greater efficiencies”. According to the press release, “Satoshi Uchida will serve as Chairman and Masami Haga will serve as President of the new motorcycle/ATV company. Masahiro Yamamoto will serve as President of the new marine company.”

Sources: motocrossactionmag.com, suzuki.com

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