Ten brief days in the past, our Powersports trade misplaced a worthwhile soul to the ravages of time.
Yoji “George” Hamawaki – a former Kawasaki government – handed away Tuesday of final week, abandoning an admirable legacy that features “establishing the Kawasaki model in america [and] bringing Kawasaki manufacturing to America.”
For reference, there wasn’t a lot in the way in which of international producer manufacturing roots again in Hamawaki’s prime profession years; the enduring man may need established American Kawasaki Motors Corp. again in 1966, however even in 1974, a New York Occasions article sourced from AutoWeek was quoted with the next:
“Though international producers have made sturdy inroads in america vehicle and bike market, manufacturing and meeting listed here are a novelty.”
Because of Hamawaki, the “novelty” of international producer manufacturing within the U.S. turned a actuality; along with one Alan Masek, Hamawaki helped construct and broaden Kawi seller networks “throughout America with complete insurance policies, promoting supplies, and repair coaching.”
“Whereas constructing the dealership and gross sales community, Hamawaki and Masek additionally studied the buyer wants and mannequin options and communicated that data again to Japan,” continues the report from Roadracing World.
“That suggestions was instrumental in Kawasaki launching the 1969 Kawasaki H1 and, later, the enduring “New York Steak” 1973 Kawasaki Z1 900, which solidified Kawasaki as a superbike model not solely in America however throughout the globe.”
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After leaving Kawasaki in 1978, Hamawaki’s experience traveled to BMW, the place he purportedly turned the President of BMW Japan, in addition to the “President of Japan’s Digital Gear Firm and was inducted into the Japan Automotive Corridor of Fame.”
Maybe the deepest mark Hamawaki will depart on our current (and future) riders is the truth that he was the driving drive behind the ‘Let the Good Occasions Roll’ marketing campaign – an advert collection so efficient that the multi-conglomerate bike marque trademarked the factor into Workforce Inexperienced genetics.
For those who’re studying this and Kawasaki’s ‘Let the Good Occasions Roll’ marketing campaign was instrumental in your two-wheeled journey, we ask for a second of remembrance for Yoji “George” Hamawaki throughout this time.
