Globalizing the Yamaha Motor Group’s Engineering, Manufacturing and Marketing Functions

A global strategy for integrated development centers and procurement centers

February 16, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announces the establishment and start of operations of the ASEAN Integrated Development Center and the India Procurement Center as strategic moves aimed at globalizing the group’s engineering, manufacturing and marketing functions.

Despite the difficult business environment created by factors such as the rapid appreciation of the yen and the economic crisis in Europe, Yamaha Motor is currently moving forward with initiatives aimed at growing and expanding the scale of our businesses and improving profitability by focusing on strengthening the competitiveness of group operations on a global level. In the short term, this involves continued reduction of costs, while the medium-term focus is primarily on maintaining production capacity and long-term efforts are directed at globalizing the functions of our business operations.

Particularly in the areas of engineering, manufacturing and marketing functions, initiatives are in place to further globalize not only the group’s manufacturing network but also product development and procurement functions.

Product Development Functions

The long-term objectives in the area of product development are to have Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (YMC) in Japan be responsible for the strategic and fundamental technological development of core technologies and advanced technologies vital for future growth, while the group’s overseas bases in the key markets take on the work of actual product development for their markets. The new ASEAN Integrated Development Center scheduled to begin operations this spring is an embodiment of this strategy. Its role will be to serve as an “on-the-scene” model development base that integrates manufacturing, procurement and engineering functions in order to develop competitive products that answer the needs of the market’s users. Going forward, the role of this new Center will be expanded in the ASEAN region, while similar integrated development centers will be put into operation in China and Taiwan as well.

The ASEAN Integrated Development Center will strengthen the motorcycle development and parts procurement functions currently performed by group company Yamaha Motor Asian Center Co., Ltd. (YMAC) in Thailand, and will operate as a model development center integrating manufacturing, procurement and engineering functions, as well as manufacturing technology functions

Procurement Functions

In the area of procurement, initiatives are underway to prepare a number of regional procurement bases to make use of cost-competitive locally produced parts globally throughout the Yamaha Motor group with the aim of reducing costs for all operation segments. In January, the new India Procurement Center went into operation, joining the already functioning procurement operations at YMAC in Thailand, Yamaha Motor Commercial Trading Shanghai Co., Ltd. (YMCT) in China and Yamaha Motor Taiwan Trading Co., Ltd. (YMTT) in Taiwan. Strengthening procurement functions in this way at four bases, in the ASEAN region, China/Taiwan, India and Japan, will create a global parts supply network capable of providing cost-competitive parts to the group manufacturing bases around the world, including Japan.

The new India Procurement Center was established separate from the existing procurement division of Yamaha Motor group motorcycle manufacturing and marketing company India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. (IYM), and will perform parts procurement (supply) to countries and regions outside of India.

Currently, the global motorcycle market has a total demand of approximately 60 million units (YMC survey result) and is expected to continue to grow to a scale of 80 million units by the year 2020. Amid intensifying global competition, diversifying customer preferences and increasingly stringent motor vehicle regulations, Yamaha Motor will continue to make effective use of its global corporate assets to grow our business operations and ensure stable profitability for the global Yamaha Motor group.

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GS Battery Expands Engineering Test Lab Capabilities

ROSWELL, GA – February 16, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – GS Battery (USA) Inc., announced it has completed the initial phase of enhancements to its in-house engineering test lab.  Located at the GS Battery headquarters in Roswell, Georgia, the test lab internally supports quality system requirements while externally supporting customers’ testing and product performance needs.

GSB has the capability to perform testing on a wide range of cell chemistries and battery types from 1Ah up to 3,000Ah capacities.   Multi-channel test equipment, environmental chambers, and life cycle testing circuits are some of the recent additions.  These enhancements, when combined with existing testing equipment, expand the range and quantity of products which can be analyzed in-house.

Jay Northey, Executive Vice-President and General Manager, GS Battery (USA) Inc., commented, “GS Battery and our parent, GS Yuasa International in Japan have a long tradition of high quality and innovative products backed by a strict compliance testing policy.  Our new test lab allows GS Battery to expand on this tradition as well as support our customers’ testing requirements.”

“GSB drew upon the strong engineering background and support of GS Yuasa International, in fitting our lab with testing equipment,” said Jeff Hires, Engineering Manager, GS Battery (USA) Inc.  “We have the equipment and expertise to perform a wide range of our customers’ test requirements in the automotive, powersports, telecom and renewable energy industries.”

Testing in the lab is under the direction of Dr. Phuong Nguyen, who received her PhD in Chemical Engineering from a joint program between De la Salle University (Philippines) and Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan).  “Dr. Nguyen has vast experience in a laboratory setting and with the GS Battery testing regime, and our customers’ are benefiting from her technical expertise,” said Jay Northey.

About GS Battery (USA) Inc.

GS Battery (USA) Inc. is an American subsidiary of GS Yuasa Group of Japan, a world leader in automotive, motorcycle and standby storage batteries, which serves the power sports, telecommunications, UPS, and the emergency lighting markets. GS Battery’s newest mission is to enter the renewable energy market with photovoltaic and energy storage in North America.  For more information on GS Battery (USA) Inc., call 1-800-GSBATRY or visit www.gsbattery.com.

SOURCE: GS Battery (USA) Inc.

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Honda: Blue Skies for Our Children Animation

TOKYO, JAPAN – January 10, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – “Blue Skies for Our Children” is an authentic expression of Honda’s commitment to pursue the joy of mobility and a sustainable society where people can enjoy life. Blue Skies for Our Children was first used as a rallying cry by Honda engineers in the early 1970s after company founder Soichiro Honda challenged them with creating a cleaner-burning engine to address air pollution.

 

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US Highland, Inc. Announces New Engineering and Production Facility

TULSA, OK – December 7, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – US Highland (UHLN) has announced today they have selected a new engineering and production facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Our new facility allows simultaneous production of powertrains and vehicles,” stated John R. Fitzpatrick, III, President & CEO. “This is an important element for launching our 2012 production plan,” Mr. Fitzpatrick continued.

This is a further indication of US Highland’s commitment to the Tulsa area and facilitates continued growth and expansion within a well-established manufacturing community. US Highland has recently expanded their workforce and additional hiring has already begun.

“I am impressed with the speed at which this management team is executing our strategic plan,” said Robert Harris, Chairman of US Highland. Mr. Harris went on to say, “The management team is aggressively addressing client needs and pursuing additional opportunities.”

About US Highland, Inc.

US Highland, Inc., is a US based designer and manufacturer of high performance, premium quality powertrains and motorcycles.

For additional information concerning US Highland visit www.ushighland.com.

Web Site: http://www.ushighland.com

Forward-looking Statement:

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events of future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluation such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company’s SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: US Highland, Inc.

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BRP is recruiting at the Palais des Congrès

MONTREAL – July 16, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) -  As part of its Club BRP Montréal event, BRP seeks to fill positions for bilingual professionals from varied fields, such as finance, engineering, industrial design and marketing, to join its ranks in its many locations around the world.

Those interested should bring their resume to the Palais des congrès de Montréal, 1001, place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, on Saturday July 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, July 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Human resources representatives will be there to provide on-site information.

BRP also invites the public to visit its showroom at the Palais des congrès where are presented all the latest models of its product brands (Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Evinrude, Rotax, and Can-Am), the work of its three R&D sites and information on the Québec-based multinational company.

The activities on Crescent Street will close tonight with Michel Pagliaro followed by David Usher.

For more information, visit www.clubbrp.com. There are no entry fees for any general-public activities.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorised recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and boats, Evinrude and Johnsonoutboard engines, Can-Am all-terrain and side-by-side vehicles and roadsters, as well as Rotax engines. BRP products are distributed in more than 100 countries.

www.brp.com

Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo, Lynx, Evinrude, Johnson, Can-Am, Rotax and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information:
Johanne Denault
Manager, Corporate Communications BRP
450-532-5173
johanne.denault@brp.com

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American Axle & Manufacturing to Exhibit Aftermarket Product Offerings for Latin America at 2010 PAACE Automechanika

DETROIT, MI – July 7, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), which is traded as AXL on the NYSE, announced today that it will participate in the 2010 PAACE Automechanika, to be held from July 14 to 16, 2010 at the Centro Banamex in Mexico City. AAM associates will be at Booth #4036 to present the company’s lineup of aftermarket product offerings for Latin America that include axle shafts, differential kits, seals, U-joints, gear sets, bearing kits, limited slip differentials, yokes and pinion flanges.

“We look forward to introducing AAM Aftermarket components to Latin America at the 2010 PAACE Automechanika,” said Bill Sheehan, AAM’s Senior Manager, Aftermarket. “AAM’s experience in the manufacturing of original-equipment products positions us perfectly for the independent automotive aftermarket in this region.”

“We believe that AAM is a great fit for the aftermarket industry in Latin America,” said Ricardo Valdes, Aftermarket Leader, Latin America. “Our company’s authentic original-equipment parts, world-class order fulfillment, strong brand recognition and growing network of dedicated distributors position us to have a positive future in the region.”

About AAM Aftermarket

AAM Aftermarket sets the industry benchmark in providing its customers with OE axle and driveshaft parts for sport utility vehicles and light duty trucks. It provides high quality, reliability, durability and performance in every aftermarket part it sells.  AAM Aftermarket original equipment quality components are guaranteed to meet the same specifications as the parts that they replace. For more information on AAM Aftermarket products and services, visit www.aam.com/aftermarket.

About AAM

AAM is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems and related components and modules, chassis systems and metal-formed products for trucks, sport utility vehicles, passenger cars and crossover utility vehicles. In addition to locations in the United States (Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana), AAM also has offices or facilities in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, South Korea, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

For more information…

Christopher M. Son
Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
+1 (313) 758-4814
chris.son@aam.com

Ricardo Valdes
Aftermarket Leader
Latin America
+52 (477) 638 5286
ricardo.valdes@aam.com

http://www.aam.com

SOURCE: American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.

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