Yamaha joins Honda in ATV sales threat

Yamaha Australia has joined Honda in declaring it will pull out of the local ATV market If proposed recommendations become law.

Australia’s second biggest motorcycle seller is also calling on riders to mount a political campaign in support of changing rider behaviour rather than vehicle design.

Honda and Yamaha collectively account for almost 40 per cent of the ATV segment in Australia.

They are united in their opposition to the installation of “operator protection devices”, as proposed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Honda threatened eight days ago it would also withdraw from the ATV segment
if the proposals are enacted.

The ACCC has drafted what it calls ATV Mandatory Safety Standards for the government and Yamaha says they’re likely to become law.

The major elements of the draft include meeting US standards, testing for lateral and longitudinal stability, adding extra consumer information (ie a warning label) and fitting an operator protection device _ also known as a rollover protection system _ either integrated into the design or fitted as an aftermarket device.

Yamaha Australia says “independent studies have shown that OPDs are not an effective safety solution and are likely to cause as many injuries as they may prevent.

“In addition, there is no safety standard for OPDs.

“These are the main reasons that Yamaha engineers will not make the design changes that are proposed for the AUS market.”

Yamaha Motor Australia director Brad Rayan says the science underpinning the draft is both faulty and selective.

“Yamaha Motor Australia has advised the ACCC that behaviour is easily the biggest contributing factor to ATV safety,” Ryan states.

“We pointed out that three successive coronial inquiries have concluded that enforced behavioural standards rather than product modification are the solution. And that our industry is actively trying to change behavioural attitudes and would greatly appreciate support in achieving this.

“Unfortunately the ACCC Quadbike Taskforce continues to push for engineering changes and product modifications which look to be political rather than scientific decisions. And now the federal government is making a decision that will make no utility ATVs our new reality,” he adds.

Yamaha says there is still time to oppose the ACCC recommendations but all comments, calls and submissions must be made before 5pm on Monday, June 10.

“We ask all interested parties to voice their opinions by: contacting the minister currently responsible for handling the sign off -- Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert (07) 5500 5919 or email stuart.robert.mp@aph.gov.au."