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Yamaha's
2012 "Assembled in USA" Factory Tours
& ATV Models
2012 Yamaha Grizzly 550 & 700
FI Utility ATV Models
Newnan, GA (6/21/2011) – Known
as one of the largest motorsports manufactures in
the world, Yamaha has always been a leader in innovation
but has also tried to keep costs down while providing
excellent products to its loyal consumers. The United
States boasts the world’s largest ATV market,
which accounts for about 80 percent of global ATV
sales; therefore, it would only make sense for the
motorsports giant to move its ATV manufacturing
line to American soil.
ATVRiders.com was recently invited to Yamaha’s
Newnan, GA facility to check out their progress
and get a feel for what Yamaha has in store for
its future plans, and we were pretty impressed
with what we saw and heard during our time at
the facility.
Over the years, Yamaha has spared no expense
in ensuring their factory is state-of-the-art
in order to ensure top quality while providing
safe work environment for its employees. The company
has invested a total of over $250 million into
the Newnan facility and that number will most
likely grow with the addition of more employees
and new products.
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| Yamaha
announced its new "Assembled in USA"
logo less than a month ago at a press conference
held outside the Newnan, Georgia facility |
The Newnan facility was founded in 1986 and began
production of golf cars in 1988 and progressed to
water craft production the following year. It wasn’t
until 1998 that Yamaha began producing a limited
number of ATV’s at the plant, but in 2003
things really began to pick up with the introduction
of the Yamaha Rhino, and by 2007, the plant reached
a long time goal of building their two millionth
vehicle. Now in 2011, the 280 acre facility will
be manufacturing two more product models, increasing
the product base from five to seven with the addition
of the 2012 Yamaha Grizzly 550 and 700 FI.
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| 2012
Yamaha 550 & 700 FI world-wide assembly
is now in Georgia, so Yamaha wrapped one
of the first Grizzly 700 FI's with a special
"Assembled in USA" graphics kit |
The new 2012 Grizzly 550 and 700 FI models are
the lightest weight full featured models in their
class that offer great fuel mileage and the best
in class power steering. Some of the ley design
features includes a centrifugal clutch that maintains
constant belt tension to help eliminate slipping
while reducing heat and wear.
Another key element in the new 2012 Grizzly is
the new gas charged rear shocks that offer 5-way
pre-load adjustment, with a plush feel at low
speeds, but also providing a quality ride even
at higher speeds. The new Maxxis tires have a
more aggressive tread pattern that allows for
flatter cornering and a more stable feel.
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Updated IRS was added with new
gas charged 5-way pre-load adjustable rear
shocks for a smoother ride |
New
Maxxis Tires with aggressive tread pattern
were added to give the Grizzly a better
bite in extreme terrain |
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