- Relocation to take place in phases from late 2026 through late 2028
- Sale of the entire 25.1-acre campus in Cypress planned
- US tariffs and rising costs cited as primary reasons
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has announced it will relocate its US subsidiary Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS) from Cypress, California to Kennesaw in the US state of Georgia. This marks the end of an era spanning nearly half a century. Yamaha acquired the property in Cypress in 1978 and opened its US headquarters there in 1979. At the same time, all real estate at the current location is to be sold, including office buildings, warehouses, and the entire property covering approximately 25.1 acres (around 102,000 square meters).
A Consolidation with a Long History
The move does not come out of nowhere. Yamaha has a long history of shifting business operations to Georgia. As early as 1999, the marine division was relocated to Kennesaw to be closer to customers. In 2018, a comprehensive reorganization of the Cypress location followed, with the motorsports division—except for testing and racing departments—moving to Georgia. In 2019, this process was advanced further, with motorcycle and off-road operations also being based in Kennesaw. Additionally, Yamaha has relocated its golf cart, WaveRunner, ATV, and side-by-side divisions to Georgia and now employs around 2,600 people there. The manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia produces all full-size Yamaha ATVs and side-by-side vehicles as well as WaveRunners and golf carts for the US and global markets.
Most recently, only the corporate administration and financial services division remained at the Cypress location. That these functions would also follow to Kennesaw was foreseeable. According to Motocross Action Magazine, the relocation had been planned for some time. As evidence, they cite among other things that the so-called “Wall of Champions” had already been dismantled and shipped to Georgia.
US Tariffs Weigh on Profitability
Yamaha cites rising costs from US tariffs and changing market conditions as the central reasons for the restructuring. The Japanese parent company had already reported a 30.4 percent decline in operating profit in its fiscal year 2025 financial report, to which US tariffs are said to have contributed. The relocation is therefore to be understood as one of several structural reforms aimed at improving the profitability of Yamaha’s US operations.
In its official press release, Yamaha puts it this way: the company aims for a profit structure in the medium to long term that is not exclusively dependent on revenue growth. Instead, it intends to develop into a more resilient organization that can better adapt to changes.
Real Estate Sale via Sale-and-Leaseback
For the transition, Yamaha is planning a so-called sale-and-leaseback arrangement. This means the property in Cypress will be sold and subsequently leased back for a limited period to maintain business operations during the transition phase. The sale price, buyer, and exact timeline are still being evaluated according to the company. The move itself is scheduled to begin function by function from late 2026 and be completed by late 2028.
Real estate in Southern California ranks among the most expensive in the USA. The high property costs and California’s tax burden are considered key factors in the decision. By selling the campus, Yamaha can free up tied-up capital and immediately relieve its balance sheet.
New Leadership for the US Market
The relocation coincides with a leadership change at the US subsidiary. In July 2025, Eishin Chihana was appointed as the new CEO of the US division. Chihana previously headed Yamaha in India and brings experience from stints in Europe, India, and Southeast Asia. Whether he personally initiated the move is unknown. However, consolidating all US functions at a single location is likely to fit the strategic direction under his leadership.
Yamaha Maintains California Presence
Despite relocating the headquarters, Yamaha remains committed to the US market at the same scale. Neither product withdrawals nor dealer closures have been announced. A small group of employees is to remain stationed in California, working in the areas of test rides and motorsport.
In total, Yamaha has three offices in Georgia and 13 additional locations in the USA, including in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. With the relocation of the last functions from Cypress, Georgia will definitively become the center of all Yamaha US operations.
What This Means for Motorcyclists
For Yamaha customers in the USA, nothing changes for now. No cuts to the model lineup or dealer network are planned. When a company relocates its administrative headquarters, it typically has no direct impact on products or service. However, the move illustrates the economic pressure the motorcycle industry in the USA is currently facing. The combination of tariffs, rising costs, and changing market conditions is forcing even established manufacturers to make structural adjustments. Yamaha is attempting to create a foundation through cost reductions and organizational streamlining that will hold up even if sales figures do not continue to grow.
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