Yamaha Motor Co. to Relocate U.S. Headquarters from California to Georgia

Yamaha Motor Co. announces the relocation of its U.S. headquarters to Georgia after 50 years in California, aiming to boost profitability and consolidate operations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 5:46 AM EDT

Source: Bisnow

Deepening Regional Roots and Operational Efficiency

The decision to move the headquarters to Kennesaw is a strategic consolidation of Yamaha’s existing, substantial footprint in Georgia. The company already employs over 2,300 Georgians across several key facilities:

Kennesaw: Current home to the Marine Business Unit (moved in 1999) and the Motorsports Business (moved in 2019). It also houses a 75,000-square-foot Marine Innovation Center opened in 2023.

Newnan: Home to the 1.3-million-square-foot Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America factory, which has operated in the state since 1986.

Company leadership cited "structural reforms" as the primary driver for the relocation. By bringing corporate functions and financial services closer to its primary manufacturing and business units, Yamaha aims to improve asset efficiency and profitability. This shift is also a response to rising costs associated with U.S. tariffs and a changing market environment.

Real Estate Impact: California Exit and Georgia Expansion