Yamaha Golf-Car

Corporate Headquarters: Kennesaw, Georgia

Website: http://www.yamahagolfcar.com

Category: Turf & Course Suppliers

LEADERSHIP

Mike Chrzanowski, President and CEO, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC)

Doug Griffin, Chief Operating Officer

Stephen Donnell, President

Kevin Norcross, Division Manager Marketing & National Accounts

Company Overview

Based in Georgia since 1988, Yamaha Golf-Car Company builds upon a 60-plus-year legacy of the Yamaha brand to manufacture golf cars, utility, and specialty vehicles. The company’s production and assembly operations are centralized at their Newnan, Georgia facility, where they continue to push the boundaries of innovation in the golf car industry.

Yamaha Golf-Car is a segment of Yamaha Motors, which leverages its diverse expertise across musical instruments, motorcycles, ATVs, WaveRunners, unmanned helicopters, and industrial robots. This technological breadth has helped position Yamaha as one of the top three golf cart manufacturers globally, serving not only golf facilities but also expanding into hotels, airports, and other industries.

Innovation and Technology

Yamaha’s history of innovation in the golf car space is marked by several industry firsts. The company introduced its inaugural golf car in 1975, followed by the G-3 Sun Classic model in 1985, which pioneered the “Neighborhood Vehicle” concept. Significant technological advances include developing the first 48-volt electric golf car (1996), the first production line-built four-passenger vehicle (2000), and introducing electronic fuel injection technology (2012).

In 2015, Yamaha launched YamaTrack, a comprehensive cloud-based GPS solution for remote fleet management. The following year brought the Drive2 QuieTech EFI, a gas golf car combining the quietness of an electric vehicle with the performance advantages of a gas car. This innovation earned Yamaha the Golf Digest Editors’ Choice Award for Best Gas Golf Car in 2021, marking their fourth win in the program’s six-year history.

Recent Developments

In 2024, Yamaha established itself as a leader in sustainable, connected, keyless, and trackable electric vehicles through a partnership with Joyride, a shared mobility platform pioneer. The company also unveiled the DRIVE H2, a groundbreaking hydrogen-powered concept car, demonstrating their commitment to environmental innovation.

The company has strengthened its industry presence through strategic partnerships with multiple PGA sections, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the Club Manager Association of America, The First Tee, and LPGA-USGA Girls Golf. In 2023, Yamaha became a top-level benefactor for the first-ever GCSAA Women’s Leadership Academy, supporting women in the turfgrass industry through education, mentoring, and networking initiatives.

Strategic Vision

“Our mission extends beyond just manufacturing golf cars – we’re driving innovation in sustainable transportation while maintaining our commitment to quality and performance,” says Mike Chrzanowski, President and CEO of Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America. “The introduction of our hydrogen-powered concept car and our partnership with Joyride demonstrates our dedication to leading the industry in both environmental stewardship and technological advancement. As we look to the future, we’re focused on developing solutions that will transform the way people move across golf courses and beyond.”

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Yamaha Golf-Car Company continues to lead the industry through consistent innovation, trusted performance, and a focus on sustainability. Their commitment to environmental stewardship, demonstrated through new hydrogen and electric vehicle initiatives, positions them at the forefront of sustainable transportation in the golf industry. The company’s expansion into new markets, coupled with their support of industry education and development programs, showcases their dedication to growing both their business and the game of golf.