Yamaha names Eishin Chihana as new chairman of Indian operations

PTI, Dec 23, 2021, 4:02 PM IST

New Delhi: Two-wheeler maker India Yamaha Motor (IYM) on Thursday said it has appointed Eishin Chihana as its new chairman with effect from January 1, 2022.

Chihana, who has been associated with Yamaha and its group companies across the globe since 1991, replaces Motofumi Shitara who goes back to Yamaha Motor Corporation, Japan.

Chihana holds strong expertise across different verticals like sales, marketing and business management, with a major focus on motorcycle business operations in European, North American, African, Middle Eastern and ASEAN markets.

His experience also includes managing overseas sales of a wide variety of Yamaha Motor’s product ranges, not only motorcycles but also all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), marine engines, personal watercraft and generators.

”I am very excited to lead Yamaha Motor in the world’s largest two-wheeler market. India is a diverse country with a huge customer base and immense potential.

”Also, with the majority of its population comprising the youth, it gives us the opportunity to penetrate the market by meeting their evolving expectations through Yamaha’s leading technological advancements and engineering prowess,” Chihana said in a statement.

The company will strongly continue to create new landmark achievements by introducing a globally renowned product range under ‘The Call of the Blue’ brand strategy, to further strengthen its position in the Indian market, he added.

Yamaha sells products like R15, FZ-FI, Fascino 125 Fi in the domestic market.