Yamaha Announces 2013 Model Year ATV and Side-by-Side Vehicles

CYPRESS, Calif., June 6, 2012 -- Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., today announced its 2013 model year line of ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles including new Assembled in U.S.A. Raptor 700 sport ATVs and new Tactical Black Grizzly 700 4x4 and Rhino 700 4x4 Special Edition models.

The Raptor 700 models are the first Yamaha sport ATVs to be assembled in the U.S. In 2010, Yamaha announced a long term production transfer strategy to move the great majority of its worldwide ATV production to the Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC) factory in Newnan, Georgia. Last year, Yamaha moved the production of its top-of-the-line utility ATVs, the Grizzly 700 and Grizzly 550, to YMMC, and Yamaha will complete the production transfer with additional models coming to the U.S. by the end of 2013.

"Yamaha's ATV production transfer represents the company's long term commitment to the U.S. ATV market as well as its significant investment in the YMMC facility," said Steve Nessl, Yamaha's ATV/SxS group marketing manager. "Yamaha's U.S. factory is state-of-the-art with highly trained and passionate U.S. workers who are turning out the most durable and reliable ATV and SxS products. Yamaha is proud to bring more ATV production to the U.S. -- the world's largest ATV market -- and to be part of the local community in Newnan."

The production transfer will continue through the end of 2013, and when complete, could result in Yamaha adding 200 or more American jobs at Yamaha's U.S. factory as well as additional jobs at the company's 125 North American parts supplier companies. YMMC will ultimately be responsible for nearly all of Yamaha's worldwide ATV production including both utility and sport models.

With its transfer to YMMC this summer, the Raptor 700R receives aggressive new styling and performance features that reinforce its position as the highest performance big bore sport ATV. Catering to a larger base of ATV enthusiasts, Yamaha is producing three versions of the Raptor 700 this year with a range of pricing, performance and design options.

The Team Yamaha Blue/White Raptor 700R (MSRP $8,099) is $300 less than the comparable 2012 model. This year's Special Edition Raptor 700R features black plastics with special red graphics and GYTR accessories (MSRP $8,799) at $200 less than the 2012 SE. Additionally for 2013, Yamaha has developed a third version Raptor 700 (MSRP $7,699) in white with dual graphic kit options priced at $700 below last year's 700R model. The all-white 2013 Raptor 700 comes with two graphic kits at the time of purchase: a Red, White and Blue Assembled in U.S.A.-themed kit and an aggressive black and red kit.

Yamaha is the number one brand in sport ATVs with the industry's most complete line of high performance, track and trail conquering machines including, in addition to the three Raptor 700 models, the YFZ450R (MSRP $8,599), YFZ450R Special Edition (MSRP $8,949), YFZ450 (MSRP $6,899), Raptor 350 (MSRP $5,599), Raptor 250 (MSRP $4,599) and Raptor 125 (MSRP $3,499). Yamaha will also produce the Raptor 90 youth model (MSRP $2,699). Each of the sport and youth models has an all-white version with the dual graphic kit option -- similar to the Raptor 700.

Also new for 2013 are Yamaha's Special Edition Tactical Black Grizzly 700 FI with Electric Power Steering (EPS) (MSRP $10,999) and Rhino 700 FI 4x4 (MSRP $12,999). All of Yamaha's 4x4 vehicles are assembled at Yamaha's U.S. factory, and these two new SE models feature an all-new matte black body and cast aluminum wheels for tactical design and durability. These are the most off-road capable and durable vehicles in their respective classes both featuring Yamaha's exclusive Ultramatic® automatic transmission, the most durable CVT system in the industry, and Yamaha's On-Command® push-button 2WD, 4WD and 4WD diff-lock system.

The new Tactical Black SE models join Yamaha's complete line of award-winning and super reliable utility ATVs for 2013 including the Grizzly 700 FI (MSRP starting at $8,899) and Grizzly 700 FI EPS (MSRP starting at $9,499), Grizzly 550 FI (MSRP starting at $7,999) and Grizzly 550 FI EPS (MSRP starting at $8,699), Grizzly 450 (MSRP starting at $6,899) and Grizzly 450 EPS (MSRP starting at $7,499), Grizzly 350 Auto 4x4 (MSRP starting at $5,599), Grizzly 300 Auto (MSRP $4,199) and Grizzly 125 Auto (MSRP $3,699). Most of Yamaha's utility ATVs come in multiple color options including Realtree AP HD camo.

Yamaha's Rhino 700 FI SxS continues to be one of the highest quality, most versatile and off-road capable vehicles and for 2013 will be available in Red and Hunter Green (MSRP $11,499) and Realtree AP HD camo (MSRP $12,049).

More information on Yamaha's 2013 ATV and SxS vehicles, including detailed color options, pricing, graphics kits and accessories is available at Yamaha Motor.

SxS Vehicles are recommended for use only by licensed drivers age 16 years and older.

ATVs up to 90cc are recommended for use only by riders 12 years and older and always with adult supervision. ATVs over 90cc are recommended for use only by riders 16 years and older.