December 23, 2011
Merry Christmas!
The first day of winter and Santa on the way. What a crazy year here at Yamaha. Talking with Pete last night, it occurred to me; so many things have come together to test the industry and our business model. The Tsunami in Japan, economic recession, strong Canadian dollar or more to the point, the weak American currency (and then there is the Yen), the toll of legal defense, climate change and head shots in hockey. Ok well maybe not the Crosby thing so much but I do feel we have taken a few too many to the noggin in our own way. The end game is not in sight and we have more snow-balls in the air than at any other point in my twenty five year tenure. I don’t expect things will settle much in 2012. Our vision is long term and the thinking is completely ‘out-of-the-box’. For the speculators out there, don’t even bother to exercise your brain on this statement, you’ll grow a beard before you get close 
I was at our design agency in California last week as we kicked-off the 2014 MY color and graphics project. Vic wanted a snap-shot of how the current 2012 c&g was being excepted so I posted a poll over on Totallyamaha which has yielded some great comments and not a single bash. I was proud to send the link to factory with my recommendation to the key managers to read the thread, which is a struggle for some of the guys who don’t get to practice their English every day. Was cool to see the Tesarat in the GKDI lobby, the four wheeled articulating concept motorcycle was shown at the Tokyo auto show, it was going to be destroyed but GK was able to save it from the dumpster by simply picking up the shipping tab, good thing. That thing would be an awesome addition to any man-cave!
I want to wish you and your family all the best for the holidays. I am planning to take mine up to the cottage, fingers crossed for snow and prepared to ride something regardless of the weather. As RJ said yesterday, there is no such thing as bad conditions, just different. Given the right choice of equipment all rides are good. Have a Merry Christmas and healthy New Year. Cheers cr
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yamaha, CR.
December 23rd, 2011 at 10:53 amGlad to hear yamaha is forging ahead inspite of some significant obstacles. Hoping to be able to add an all-new yamaha sled or a yzf 450 to the stable sometime in the new year. Tesseract, 4th dimension representation of a cube or box, outside the box. I can feel my beard growing already.
MERRY CHRISTMAS CHRIS! Elliot Lake has a dusting of crusty snow. I’ve really seen how much I lucked out trailering the year that I did.
So when will the Nytro XTX have power steering stock with a deep snow option of new mountain ski’s and 1.5″ track? The more I ride, the more I dream of power steering.
Congrats to you and Yammi for holding true and navigating the ship in rough waters.
I’m very curious and interesting in what the future brings. 0% financing wouldn’t hurt either
If the snow flies, I’m in the province till the 9th – I guess i’ll be on the Kodiak until then!
Happy Holidays and have a great time at the cottage!
December 24th, 2011 at 10:55 amYK
Chris,
Glad to read all your posts in 2011.
Looking forward to som e good riding when the snow comes.
Merry Christmas and all the best for the 2012 season.
Mark
December 24th, 2011 at 11:18 amMerry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your family,and all the fine folks at yamaha.
December 24th, 2011 at 4:01 pmhappy holidays to you,your familly and everyone at yamaha,keep the great products coming,chow
December 27th, 2011 at 7:24 ampat
Hey Chris, do you know if there is or will be a book form of the three edition 4 Stroke Snowmobile 10TH Anniversary series. It would be cool to have that in the collection ! Thanks, and best of luck in 2012.
December 27th, 2011 at 7:22 pmI like the hints on the Articulating sled, perhaps? Sounds familiar to some Yamaha Patents a few years ago
. A sled that carves through the snow like a skier leaning through the curves with the rider or sidehilling while sitting mostly upright. And an all new track design with paddles designed to grip better with the new articualting design. But I’m not sure if most snowmobilers are ready for that much change just yet.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:32 pmChris,
December 28th, 2011 at 6:22 pmThe direction I think Yamaha is going to go for short term, 2 to 3 years, is no new models just small updates like maybe P.S. on the Nitros. I think their out of the box thinking is to build a unit that we can use on the street & trail [summertime], to track & ski converted for winter. This would combine 2 to 3 toys into one, being more versatile and affordable. I know I’m crazy!