Re: Japanese Outboard Manufacturers
I would think there are enough parts in the market between dealers, shops and marinas to keep the flow going, as well as what was made in Japan before the disaster that is ready to be shipped. As for the motors, they produce alot more than what you see on the back of boats and whats sitting in shops. The production should pick back up and continue rolling before you see any real drop in availability, or have any issues getting a motor. When Yamaha stopped making 2 strokes, those motors are still plentiful today in "new production", and the parts are sill readily available anywhere. If Japan was some 3rd world country, I would expect them to be crippled for a long time and the flow would pretty much stop, but being that it's Japan.....they will be rolling again soon. The car market though.....alot more people have Japanese cars, which means alot more parts are used on a daily basis to fix problems (cars used EVERY day), and alot more people buy a Japanese car on a daily basis than the whole world buys Japanese outboards in the world. Which means....if you want a OB part, or a Japanese OB, your going to be ok. If you want a Japanese car, or need parts for your Japanese car...the longer you wait to get it...the less likely what you want or need will be available.