Mercury introduces its next generation Digital Throttle & Shift system Upgraded controls combine enhanced ergonomics with responsive performance and a refined user experience FOND DU LAC, Wis. (Feb. 12, 2021) Mercury Marine®, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), today introduced the next generation of its Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) system with integrated, intuitive and intelligent technology that enhances the boating experience. The Next Gen DTS system comes with all the best attributes of the successful DTS system that Mercury launched in 2004, including smooth and ultra responsive throttle performance with zero hesitation and full integration with SmartCraft® digital technologies. Representing a major step in the product’s evolution, the Next Gen DTS system brings together an enhanced operating system, improved ergonomic designs for the electronic remote controls (ERC) and additional user friendly features. The new system is replacing the former control system for use with all DTS compatible Mercury sterndrive, inboard, diesel and outboard engines. The Verado® engine family, including the all new V12 600hp Verado outboard, comes standard with Next Gen DTS controls. “When we were creating the Next Gen Digital Throttle & Shift system, we aimed to improve the boating experience with an intuitive design and simpler access to the features boaters use most often,” said Tyler Mehrl, category manager for steering and controls at Mercury. Included among the enhancements, Active Trim activation and adjustment buttons are now integrated on the Next Gen DTS control base, eliminating the need for an additional control panel on the dash. Active Trim automatically and continuously adjusts engine trim based on changes in GPS speed to improve performance, fuel economy and ease of operation. Next Gen DTS leverages a robust operating system that not only supports basic functions but also has been upgraded to intelligently and automatically enhance throttle control for connected SmartCraft systems such as Joystick Piloting and Skyhook®. The new ERC lineup offers solutions for boat engine configurations ranging from one to six Mercury engines. For single-engine configurations, there are panel- and console mount controls. For multi engine configurations, boaters can choose the standard dual handle console mount controls or the Premier dual handle model, which includes an innovative digital display integrated into the control base. The display provides a broad variety of context sensitive information to help the boater stay fully connected with the propulsion system through all phases of boat operation. Each control has the same sleek, chrome-on-black aesthetics and dynamic styling that are consistent with the current “Mercury DNA” overseen by Todd Dannenberg, Mercury director of industrial design. “The ergonomics provide a very natural connection that invites the boater to push the throttle and feel the engine’s power. Plus, there are intuitive new features that improve the user experience, which we derived through intensive usability testing,” Dannenberg said. Additional features include a green neutral indicator light on the throttle handle(s) that quickly confirms gear position, a convenient throttle-only feature for starting and warming the engine(s), a large start/stop button and an oversized trim switch. Multi-engine controls have a start/stop-all button for all engines and buttons for starting and stopping individual engines, as well as the ability to trim all or individual engines. Single-engine controls are available with a Quick Steer button on boats that have the Mercury Single Outboard Electric Steering system installed. Quick Steer — an industry first technology — enhances steering control for low speed, close quarters maneuvering. This setting provides full turning capacity for the boat with only a quarter-turn of the steering wheel to the left or right. The enhanced steering authority eases the process of docking and maneuvering in tight spaces. “We incorporated an incredible range of features designed to improve the experience of operating single- and multi engine boats,” said Mehrl. “The intuitive design means there’s very little learning curve to be able to enjoy a huge performance advantage.” The next generation of Digital Throttle & Shift will be available in EMEA markets from Q3 2021.

 

 

 

 

Mercury Marine introduces the all new V12 600hp Verado engine - redefining outboard performance FOND DU LAC, Wis. (Feb. 11, 2021) Mercury Marine®, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC), today introduced the new 7.6 liter V12 600hp Verado® outboard engine. With this launch, Mercury continues to transform the high-horsepower outboard market, providing its most powerful and capable outboard, which includes several industry first features for a wide variety of applications. “With boats continuing to grow bigger and performance expectations continuing to rise, boaters have been asking for a better, more capable high horsepower solution to meet their needs. The V12 Verado outboard is Mercury’s answer,” said Chris Drees, Mercury Marine president. “Using our advanced engineering and design capabilities, we completely redefined outboard performance. The V12 Verado outboard delivers boaters unrivaled freedom, luxury and power to pursue their passions on the water. This is a remarkable engine that will change the future of boating.” Groundbreaking product innovations include the following: The world’s first V12 outboard, the 600hp Verado engine features a naturally aspirated, large displacement, quad cam powerhead that generates impressive torque to get heavy boats out of the hole and on plane quickly, and to accelerate up to rated speed rapidly. The industry’s first two speed automatic transmission for an outboard optimizes engine rpm according to workload, facilitating powerful acceleration and highly efficient performance at cruise. The industry’s first steerable gearcase on an outboard pivots independently underwater while the engine’s powerhead remains in a space saving fixed position. This provides more room for multi engine configurations and a wider steering angle for agile handling. With help from contra rotating propellers, it also has better “bite” in the water for docking and other close quarters maneuvering. Several enhanced Mercury technologies work in conjunction to enable the V12 Verado outboard to deliver exceptional fuel economy and range. “The V12 Verado outboard delivers everything boaters want and more in a high-horsepower outboard. This engine makes boats easy to maneuver near the dock and provides superior handling at all speeds. It’s incredibly fuel efficient, so boaters can go farther and stay out longer. It’s so smooth and quiet that you can have a conversation while the engines are running. It’s durable, reliable and easy to maintain. There’s nothing else like the V12 Verado in the marketplace today,” Drees said. The development of the V12 Verado outboard is a product of Mercury’s continued commitment to investing in R&D and manufacturing expansion, which includes more than $1.5 billion of investment since 2008. “We’ve dedicated substantial investments and years of effort toward enhancing our ability to turn highly creative ideas into practical, functional and dependable solutions,” said Tim Reid, Mercury Marine vice president of development and engineering. “That work has positioned us well to anticipate and respond to shifts in the marketplace. We listened carefully to boaters’ needs and wishes, and we created new product capabilities aimed at exceeding their highest expectations.” The Mercury Marine V12 Verado outboard will be available in EMEA markets from summer 2021. For more information, visit mercurymarine.com/v12.

Suzuki Restructures For The Future

 

 

 

November 19, 2020

Brea, CA (November 19, 2020) – Executing a comprehensive plan to build a strong foundation for the future, Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. has announced it will restructure its operations in the United States. This new direction will reorganize the Suzuki Motorcycle/ATV and Marine Divisions into two separate companies set to begin operations on April 1, 2021. This new organization is designed to give both new companies the best opportunity to optimize their success in their respective industries. 

Suzuki Motor USA, LLC. will be headquartered in Brea, California, Suzuki’s corporate home in the United States since 1981. Suzuki Marine USA, LLC. will be based in Tampa, Florida in the heart of the marine business in North America. Suzuki first entered the United States in 1963 and was originally based in Santa Ana, California before moving to its landmark, Pagoda-inspired building in Santa Fe Springs, California.

Satoshi Uchida will serve as Chairman and Masami Haga will serve as President of the new motorcycle/ATV company. Masahiro Yamamoto will serve as President of the new marine company. “Both the Motorcycle/ATV and Marine Divisions are enjoying solid success in their respective businesses,” said Uchida. “As we proceed in reorganizing into two separate companies, we look forward to the Suzuki brand continuing to thrive in the United States.” 

The primary goal of this reorganization is to strengthen each business. Key objectives are to achieve greater efficiencies, speed up decision-making, and position each company for increased sales and growth in the United States. 

The location of Suzuki Marine USA, LLC. in Tampa was strategically chosen to expand Suzuki’s business, improve collaboration within the marine industry, and strengthen its relationship with boat builders, dealers, and vendors. The Gulf Coast location also provides convenient access to Suzuki’s new Marine Technical Center opened in Panama City, Florida in June, 2020.

Yamaha Motor Europe intends to reinforce a cooperation with Fantic Motor

 

 

Yamaha Motor Europe intends to reinforce a cooperation with Fantic Motor, including transferring all issued shares of its group company Motori Minarelli to Fantic Motor

IWATA, October 8, 2020—Yamaha Motor Europe N.V. (hereinafter “YMENV”), a subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo:7272) that sells products in Europe, began consultations with the European Works Council (EWC) concerning its intent to transfer all issued shares of Motori Minarelli S.P.A. (hereinafter “MM”), a YMENV group company manufacturing motorcycle engines in Italy, to Fantic Motor S.P.A. (hereinafter “Fantic”) as part of ongoing work to strengthen business ties. YMENV also notified MM’s local works council of its intent on October 7 (local time).
 

Fantic manufactures and sells motorcycles and e-bikes in Italy, and has been a longtime business partner of MM . This transfer of issued shares is aimed at further strengthening the ties between Yamaha Motor and Fantic, and based on the consultation process with the EWC, the relevant contracts and paperwork for conducting the transfer to Fantic is scheduled to be complete within the year.
MM produces 80,000 motorcycle engines of 50 to 400 cm³ annually, and supplies engines to MBK Industrie S.A.S. (France)—Yamaha’s European motorcycle manufacturing subsidiary—and to other motorcycle manufacturers in Europe, including Fantic since 1970.

Suzuki DF30A is 1,000,000 outboard model produced in Thailand Suzuki Factory

 

Thai Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd. (Thai Suzuki), a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation for the production and sales of outboard motors and motorcycles in Thailand, has achieved accumulated outboard motor production of 1 million units on 6 November 2020.
 

Thai Suzuki, which started production of motorcycles in 1968 as Suzuki’s first motorcycle plant outside of Japan, started production of outboard motors in 1999. The company currently produces a total of 17 small outboard motor models, of which 12 four-stroke models ranging from 2 to 30 horsepower, and 5 two-stroke models ranging from 9.9 to 40 horsepower. Its destinations go beyond Thailand to countries throughout the world including Japan.
 

Global sales of Suzuki outboard motors from April to September 2020 steadily increased by 9% year-on-year, of which middle and large outboard motors (four-stroke models ranging from 40 to 350 horsepower) produced at the Kosai Plant of Japan increased by 12%, and small outboard motors produced at Thai Suzuki by 7% respectively^*.
 

Thai Suzuki achieved this milestone in 21 years and 1 month since starting production in 1999. Suzuki will make efficient production of outboard motors by utilizing both plants in Japan and Thailand to meet wide range of needs.

*Based on Suzuki research as of the end of September 2020

Candela is now the fastest-growing electric boat brand

 

 

 

Candela Speedboat

It's been little over a year since we started the serial production of the Seven electric hydrofoil, and Candela has gone from a small start-up to being the fastest-growing electric brand in Europe. In September alone we sold 10 boats, and we are continuing to see strong demand across all markets. Our next endeavour is launching the Seven on the US market, starting in San Francisco in early December.

While we have no definite data (despite researching the topic) on how big the electric boat market is, Candela is certainly one of the major players in Europe. With 16 resellers in 11 countries, we are expanding to new locations every month.  The order stock is filled well up into the second quarter of 2021, but don't worry - we're staffing up and there are still 2021 Edition Candela Sevens available for delivery next summer. To make it easier for you to decide colors and options, we have updated our site with a new configurator. Check it out at candelaspeedboat.com/order to decide how your dream edition of Candela Seven looks like.