As the Yanmar Group unveiled its sustainable development strategy for the yachting industry, we spoke with the Japanese marine engine specialist's sales and marketing director.
What is Yanmar's situation at the beginning of 2023, in a complex context for engine manufacturers?
Like all engine manufacturing companies, we have faced some supply challenges. But we found a good organization to adapt to these new realities, with dedicated people and a supply chain department. 2022 has really been more efficient from this point of view. For the moment, demand is still stronger than supply, and all the engines are booked. We are ahead of the 10-year plan set in 2015. We are also growing in the powerboat segment with the launch of the 4LV engine.
What are the main lines of Yanmar's strategy in terms of sustainable development?
Each part of the group is working on its own strategy, even if we exchange ideas. For Yanmar, there are two main elements: low-carbon fuels, including hydrogen. And secondly, electrification and hybridization. We currently have several boats being tested with different technologies, notably with our saildrives. We are sticking to our Inboard know-how, focusing initially on sailboats. Powerboats will follow.
What are the main challenges of the electric boat for you?
The demand for electric is growing. People have tested it in cars. But people underestimate the difference in lifespan, between a car designed for about 8 years and a boat that will sail for 20 to 25 years. And it's important to be able to maintain it over its lifetime. Yanmar Group has a battery manufacturing company and we think about the CO2 footprint of the battery over its lifetime.
In addition, it is important to educate boat builders about electrics, both in terms of safety, installation and the product's life cycle. You can't install a non-marine battery on a boat, you have to tailor it to the boat, especially in terms of waterproofing and safety.
Overall, it is important to work together as an industry for this evolution.
How do you see the development of electric vehicles in the years to come?
The good thing about showing a lot of concepts at trade fairs, as is the case here at the Boot, is that it allows us to see if it works with customers. You have to create the market and congratulate those who have the courage to test. By developing with boat builders, we also gather data to move forward.
What do you see as the future of the combustion engine?
Today, it is important to keep all possibilities on the table. Combustion still has a reason to exist for several decades. This will be done through low-carbon fuels, such as biofuels, and others to come. We are moving from fossil engines to multi-fuels. E-fuels are the end point, but they are still a long way off.
