KAWASAKI Manufacturing Company

A Roaring Tale: Kawasaki Motorcycle Corp. USA

In the roaring annals of the American two-wheeler saga, Kawasaki Motorcycle Corp. USA emerges as a behemoth born from sheer audacity and a dream as wild as their motorcycles. Imagine, if you will, a down-on-its-luck meatpacking edifice in Chicago morphing into the cradle of a Japanese titan, Kawasaki, in March 1966. Stripped of clientele, bereft of distributors and devoid of repute, yet, fueled by an indomitable spirit and a solemn promise of excellence from the motherland.

From Omega to Adrenaline: The Genesis and Ascendance

In a bold overture, Kawasaki courted the American heart by launching their two-stroke steeds under the Omega insignia. But the heart of America yearned for more, for the thunder and lightning that only Kawasaki could conjure. Hence came the Samurai and Avenger, swing-valve twins that were nothing short of exhilarating. It was the dawn of Kawasaki as a purveyor of high-octane dreams, setting the stage under their own banner and inaugurating Eastern Kawasaki Motorcycle Corp. to conquer the east coast.

The Fusion and Rise of a Colossus

The year 1968 heralded the amalgamation of Eastern prowess and Western ambition, giving birth to Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA, now nestled in the sun-kissed expanses of Southern California. The epoch of 1969 witnessed the unveiling of the Mach III, a 500cc behemoth of a triple engine, catapulting Kawasaki onto the global panorama. By 1973, the Z1, a 900cc quad-cylinder legend, roared onto the scene, etching Kawasaki in the annals of motorcycling legends.

Charting New Waters: The Kawasaki Diversification

Not content with ruling the roads, Kawasaki ventured into the high seas in 1973, launching their JET SKI® line, thus dominating the watercraft domain. The 1980s saw Kawasaki expanding its empire to ATVs and Side x Side vehicles, crafting a legacy of exhilaration and resilience. With an annual revenue surpassing $1.6 billion and a battalion of 480 employees marshaled with over 1,500 dealers, Kawasaki's best-sellers - the Ninja® sports bikes, Vulcan® cruisers, indomitable ATVs, Mule™ Side x Side vehicles, and the unparalleled JET SKI® watercraft - continue to define the Kawasaki 'Good Times' ethos.

The Kawasaki Industrial Might

Beyond its stronghold in Foothill Ranch, California, Kawasaki's influence spans across the United States with regional sales offices and distribution centers strategically placed from Piscataway, New Jersey to Hebron, Kentucky. Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., USA, marks its territory in Lincoln, Nebraska with a small engine plant in Maryville, Missouri, showcasing Kawasaki's industrial and manufacturing prowess.

The odyssey of Kawasaki Motorcycle Corp. USA is a saga of relentless pursuit towards innovation, excellence, and customer ecstasy. Kawasaki’s narrative continues to evolve, as it engineers the future of motorcycling with every beast it unleashes on the road, the sea, and beyond.