Neander Shark takes over the distribution of its engines from Yanmar
After three years, the contract between Japanese engine manufacturer Yanmar Marine International and the German designer of the Dtorque diesel outboard engine, Neander Shark GmbH, has been revised. Since June 1, 2021, the German manufacturer has taken over direct marketing of its products. It is in charge of sales, marketing and after-sales support. Yanmar Italy retains its role as industrial partner for engine production, while Yanmar Europe remains responsible for spare parts and their distribution to end customers. The network building work led by Yanmar will be continued by Neander. "The idea is not to break up what has been done, like in France. On the contrary! We are in a transition phase with the Neander sales manager," says Philippe Cabot of Yanmar Europe.
Reducing prices in a complex market for diesel outboards
The choice of the two partners is also explained by a pricing and simplification argument in the yacht and small service market, which is difficult to penetrate. "With Yanmar, there was one more middleman, and it was difficult to penetrate the market. Diesel outboard engines are already expensive, and you have to sell them to bring the price down," confirms the Yanmar Europe sales engineer. Indeed, the Dtorque 111, with 50 horsepower, costs more than 30,000 euros, while a gasoline equivalent in power is well under 10,000 euros. While this solution may be technically and economically interesting for the duration of use of service or safety boats for tenders, as it avoids the need to take on petrol, the investment remains a brake. Other brands such as the Scandinavian Oxe or the British Cox Powertrain, have been facing the same difficulties for many years. Neander's commercial director, Joel Despuig Reid, who has assumed the same functions at Cox, will have to find the delicate solution, at a time when the developments of the major engine manufacturers are turning more readily to electric and hybrid electric boats.
