Yamaha Motor India
Yamaha established its fifth global R&D centre in India, after Italy, Taiwan, China, and Thailand, in April 2013 to make India a hub for developing global models for its key markets. Yamaha Motor Research and Development India (YMRI) was formed with an initial capital of Rs 20 million to channelise effort in conceptualisation of new models and parts keeping in mind the changing customer preferences. The ultimate objective was to develop models and parts not only for the Indian market but also for the export markets.
In July 2016, the company established its second R&D centre in India with an investment of Rs 660 million. The CHE Centre is working for ‘value development’. Value is the balance between function and cost.
Over the past few years, customers in India have evolved significantly and they now demand products at par with global standards. The market is growing so rapidly that local R&D is the only way to keep pace with consumer demand. If sales of bikes and scooters have to grow, they have to be made in India right from the conception stage to design and final manufacturing.
Yamaha strongly believes in constant innovation. Its vision is to develop affordable models for the Indian market which fits customer requirements, and also carry the brand of performance, innovation, design, style and sportiness. In order to meet market requirements, it started INDRA project a few years ago. Innovative and New Development based on Responsible Analysis (INDRA) is an ambitious project whose objective is to achieve optimised specification through investigation in product lifecycle. The project is helping the company to reduce costs and meet customer aspirations and market standards.
