Yamaha Ends In-House Side-by-Side Production, Shifts Focus to ATVs

Yamaha is stopping in-house Side-by-Side production at its Newnan, Georgia plant after the 2026 model year, the company announced. This is not a full exit from the SxS category, but it does mark the end of building machines like the Viking, Wolverine, and YXZ1000R in-house at Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation.

The move comes with an estimated 300 workforce adjustments, including roughly 200 full-time roles, and a stated pivot toward ATVs, Golf Cars, and Personal Watercraft. If you own or service a current or legacy Yamaha SxS, the company says parts, service, and support will continue. The full release is below:

Yamaha Motor Corporation Revises Side-by-Side Product Line Strategy

MARIETTA, Ga. – August 4, 2026 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, today announces a revised Side-by-Side (SxS) product line strategy to enhance operating performance as well as facilitate increased market flexibility and expansion opportunities.

A component of this strategy includes Yamaha stopping in-house SxS production at Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation (YMMC), its manufacturing facility in Newnan, Ga. Yamaha is not exiting the SxS business and will continue to focus on product innovation and development opportunities in key SxS categories, specifically the largest and growing multi-purpose segment.

“Market conditions dictate it is in the best interest of the business to adjust and find ways to optimally serve our customers, dealers, and the overall powersports community,” said Dean Burnett, Yamaha Motorsports USA President. “Yamaha remains committed to the Side-by-Side category and to creating opportunities that deliver value for our dealers and customers alike.”

Yamaha redefined the SxS category with the introduction of the Rhino in June 2003. The Rhino was followed by the utility-focused Viking, recreation-oriented Wolverine family, and high-performance, pure sport YXZ1000R – all of which delivered on Yamaha’s reputation for off-road performance, durability, and reliability. However, evolving customer needs, declining demand in select SxS categories, and heightened pressure on supply chain and production costs have created a business environment that factored in Yamaha’s decision to discontinue in-house SxS manufacturing and focus on product categories and growth opportunities with strong long-term potential.

To improve profitability and capital efficiency across its businesses, Yamaha will optimize its global workforce through adjustments affecting approximately 300 positions in total, including a reduction of an estimated 200 full-time roles, changes to temporary staffing, and the reallocation of personnel across development, sales, and manufacturing.

YMMC will stop SxS production with the 2026 model year and immediately concentrate management, manufacturing, and engineering resources on current activities and new growth opportunities, including a renewed focus on all-terrain vehicle (ATV) category and business. YMMC will strategically reallocate resources, enhance procurement efficiency, streamline existing production processes, and scale-up production across other business unit products, including ATVs, Golf Cars, and Personal Watercraft, to remain resilient to market fluctuations as well as afford the ability to maximize future growth opportunities, flexibility, and responsiveness.

Additional details on future plans and product offerings will be made available soon. In the meantime, Yamaha will work to ensure parts availability, service, and customer service on current and legacy SxS models, as well as work closely with its dealer network to best support continued overall business health.