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Author Topic:   Mercury may have some competition!

bigz posted 10-25-2001 02:05 PM ET (US)
Well not many Whalers with stern drives but one never knows what the future with Brunswick might bring --
This was posted this Spring with no out come and appears the talks now are on serious footing --- should be interesting if your inclined to follow the industry --
Yamaha and Ford re-open talks
http://www.boating-industry.com/news.asp?mode=4&N_ID=26698

jimh posted 10-25-2001 09:09 PM ET (US)
From my perspective--which is really just an informed boater's perspective and nothing more--the notion that a big automotive engine maker like Ford would be keenly interested in getting into the marine market seems a bit hard to understand, other than the fact that anyone selling something is supposed to always be looking for new customers and new markets.
It was pointed out recently (elsewhere) than the collective automotive engine makers produce enough engines in less than ONE-DAY to supply the entire marine market for ONE YEAR. From a volume standpoint, getting a toe hold in the marine market is probably not all that significant in terms of total engine production for a big producer like Ford.
Where the marine market may be more attractive is the upscale customers and general brand promotion that it offers to Ford. If Ford engines are used to power premium brand boats or yachts, then Ford stands to gain from the association of their product (engine) with the fancy up-scale yacht.
For Yamaha, it offers a chance to differentiate its (yet unbuilt) stern drive product from the dominant market leader, MerCruiser, which in the main uses engine by General Motors.
Recall that Yamaha did enter the stern drive market some years ago with not too much success.
Dick posted 10-25-2001 10:15 PM ET (US)
Up untill Ford discontinued the 351 they were the primary engine suplier for the tournament ski boat market.
Interesting to note in todays www.boatbiz.com Ford and Yamaha have resumed talks, it is also noted that Yamaha is an automotive engine suplier for both Ford and Toyota.
I am sure thst Ford would like to get back it's share of the marine market, even if it was a small one.
Dr T posted 10-25-2001 11:39 PM ET (US)
There are two ways to get a technology (legally, anyway): You either buy it or develop it yourself.
Taken that way, Ford is in a big engine niche with little experience with small, high speed engines, and Yamaha is in a small engine niche. Given the general trends of fuel prices, Yamaha has something to contribute to several different parts of the Ford product line. Note that Ford makes cars for a huge number of markets, not just cars and pickups in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
SuburbanBoy posted 10-26-2001 01:57 PM ET (US)
Brief note... As many of you probably already know, the 200+ Hp V6 SHO Taurus motor was produced by Yamaha. Nice motor.
sub
dfmcintyre posted 10-27-2001 10:23 AM ET (US)
Maybe it's the result of them seeing some market share eroding, due to GM and Chrysler offering zero % financing!
Seriously, there had to be more then a few "Oh, _hit"s coming from Dearborn and Auburn Hills.
Don
jimh posted 10-27-2001 12:50 PM ET (US)
Maybe there is room for more cross-pollination that I thought. The experience of making high-horsepower marine engines may translate to the performance car market.
I think some fancy Cadillac engines are actually built by the GM marine engine guys.
Clark Roberts posted 10-27-2001 11:14 PM ET (US)
It's my understanding that Corvette engines are assembled at Mercruiser!
dgp posted 10-27-2001 11:21 PM ET (US)
The Corvette engines are no longer built by MerCruiser.

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Author	Topic: Mercury may have some competition!
bigz	posted 10-25-2001 02:05 PM ET (US) Well not many Whalers with stern drives but one never knows what the future with Brunswick might bring -- This was posted this Spring with no out come and appears the talks now are on serious footing --- should be interesting if your inclined to follow the industry -- Yamaha and Ford re-open talks http://www.boating-industry.com/news.asp?mode=4&N_ID=26698
jimh	posted 10-25-2001 09:09 PM ET (US) From my perspective--which is really just an informed boater's perspective and nothing more--the notion that a big automotive engine maker like Ford would be keenly interested in getting into the marine market seems a bit hard to understand, other than the fact that anyone selling something is supposed to always be looking for new customers and new markets. It was pointed out recently (elsewhere) than the collective automotive engine makers produce enough engines in less than ONE-DAY to supply the entire marine market for ONE YEAR. From a volume standpoint, getting a toe hold in the marine market is probably not all that significant in terms of total engine production for a big producer like Ford. Where the marine market may be more attractive is the upscale customers and general brand promotion that it offers to Ford. If Ford engines are used to power premium brand boats or yachts, then Ford stands to gain from the association of their product (engine) with the fancy up-scale yacht. For Yamaha, it offers a chance to differentiate its (yet unbuilt) stern drive product from the dominant market leader, MerCruiser, which in the main uses engine by General Motors. Recall that Yamaha did enter the stern drive market some years ago with not too much success.
Dick	posted 10-25-2001 10:15 PM ET (US) Up untill Ford discontinued the 351 they were the primary engine suplier for the tournament ski boat market. Interesting to note in todays www.boatbiz.com Ford and Yamaha have resumed talks, it is also noted that Yamaha is an automotive engine suplier for both Ford and Toyota. I am sure thst Ford would like to get back it's share of the marine market, even if it was a small one.
Dr T	posted 10-25-2001 11:39 PM ET (US) There are two ways to get a technology (legally, anyway): You either buy it or develop it yourself. Taken that way, Ford is in a big engine niche with little experience with small, high speed engines, and Yamaha is in a small engine niche. Given the general trends of fuel prices, Yamaha has something to contribute to several different parts of the Ford product line. Note that Ford makes cars for a huge number of markets, not just cars and pickups in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
SuburbanBoy	posted 10-26-2001 01:57 PM ET (US) Brief note... As many of you probably already know, the 200+ Hp V6 SHO Taurus motor was produced by Yamaha. Nice motor. sub
dfmcintyre	posted 10-27-2001 10:23 AM ET (US) Maybe it's the result of them seeing some market share eroding, due to GM and Chrysler offering zero % financing! Seriously, there had to be more then a few "Oh, _hit"s coming from Dearborn and Auburn Hills. Don
jimh	posted 10-27-2001 12:50 PM ET (US) Maybe there is room for more cross-pollination that I thought. The experience of making high-horsepower marine engines may translate to the performance car market. I think some fancy Cadillac engines are actually built by the GM marine engine guys.
Clark Roberts	posted 10-27-2001 11:14 PM ET (US) It's my understanding that Corvette engines are assembled at Mercruiser!
dgp	posted 10-27-2001 11:21 PM ET (US) The Corvette engines are no longer built by MerCruiser.