IWATA, Japan (BRAIN) — Yamaha Motor Co. has agreed to buy Brose's e-bike drive unit subsidiary.
Yamaha, which stopped selling e-bikes in the U.S. market last year, said it expected to complete the acquisition by June. Yamaha established a new division in Germany, called Yamaha Motor eBike Systems, which will market the former Brose products.
Brose is a German automotive parts manufacturer specializing in door systems, electric motors, and other devices. It has been manufacturing and selling bicycle drive units since 2014.
In a statement, Yamaha said it "will leverage Brose's e-Kit development capabilities to further strengthen the planning and development of new products. At the same time, establishing a development base in Europe is how the Company aims to quickly grasp market needs, build an operation that can respond swiftly to local customer demands, acquire new customers, and improve procurement capabilities within the key European market. Additionally, by utilizing Brose's extensive service network of over 600 locations, the company will strengthen its after-sales service capabilities for customers."
A Brose statement quotes Raymond Mutz, the executive vice president of its Brose Drives group, saying, “We are convinced that Yamaha offers the best conditions to successfully develop the business further. At the same time, we would like to thank our employees for their commitment and dedication.”
