Yamaha to end in-house U.S. side-by-side production after 2026

On August 4, 2026, Yamaha Motor Co. announced structural reforms to its outdoor land vehicle business: side-by-side production at Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation in Newnan, Georgia will end with the 2026 model year.

The Newnan plant is not closing. It continues building ATVs, golf cars, and personal watercraft, and Yamaha announced additional investment to reconfigure production lines. Yamaha reports roughly 300 positions affected globally, including about 200 full-time roles, and expects approximately 12 billion yen in one-time restructuring expenses during 2026.

Future Yamaha-branded side-by-sides will be built by an outside manufacturing partner under an OEM supply arrangement, with Yamaha stating it will focus on the utility segment of the market.

Yamaha is changing how its side-by-sides are built, not whether they exist. The company’s own language describes a "transition to a collaborative business model premised on OEM supply through partner companies" — the same approach many manufacturers use for parts of their lineups.

The utility focus suggests the working side of the lineup — the segment machines like the Viking serve — is where Yamaha sees its side-by-side future, rather than pure-sport models.

Model year 2026 side-by-sides — the Wolverine RMAX line, Wolverine X2/X4, and Viking — are the last that will be built in-house at Newnan.

This is not Yamaha leaving the side-by-side business. Yamaha states that explicitly, and committed to parts availability, service, and customer support for current and legacy models.

Current 2026 models are not recalled, discontinued retroactively, or unsupported — they remain on sale at dealers now.

No manufacturing partner has been named, and Yamaha has given no official timeline. Reports of an announcement "within the next month or two" come from local press coverage of plant remarks, not from Yamaha — treat that timing as unconfirmed.

Nothing changes about your machine, its warranty, or its dealer support. Yamaha’s commitment to parts and service for current and legacy side-by-sides is explicit in its announcement.

If you are shopping: 2026 Yamaha side-by-sides are in dealer inventory as usual. What the partner-built future lineup looks like — and which models continue — is not yet known.