ABOUT YMA TIMELINE 2000 1990 1980 1970 1960 1950 PHILOSOPHY Timeline - 1980s 1989 Dec. The Yamaha Shibetsu Test Center opened. The practical-use remote control helicopter "R-50" marketed. Sept. Seven factories awarded "1989 PM Excellent Prize" by Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance.   Jun. Yamaha Marina Biwa-ko opened.   Mar. Entered the F1 World Championship for the first time.   1988 Sept. Won 500cc Road Race World Championship for third year in a row. Jul. Production of DOHC "SHO" engine for Ford Motor Co. in the USA. Showa Works and Shimba-shibori merge, name changed to SOQI, Inc.   May. Yamaha Hamaoka Tests Course completed.   Jan. Jointly developed a new car engine with Cosworth Engineering of U.K. for F3000 racing.   1987 Sept. Yamaha Gas Heat Pump air conditioners (GHP) marketed. Apr. Fifth Iwata factory for engine assembly entered full operation.   Mar. New exhaust system for 4-stroke engines, "EXUP" developed. Yamaha Motor Espana S.A. established.   Jan. Entered the field of surface mounters for printed circuit boards.   1986 Nov. Yamaha's first Water Vehicle marketed. Oct. Yamaha Motor Taiwan Co., Ltd. founded. Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America founded in Atlanta, USA.   Jul. French motorcycle manufacturer, MBK Industrie joined Yamaha group.   Mar. OX66 engine-mounted car won the first round of the Japanese F2 Championship.   1985 Apr. Signed a development contract with Ford (USA) for high-performance engines.   1984 Oct. Entered Technical Assistance Agreement with MBK, France. Sept. First production 5-valve motorcycle engine introduced.   Feb. 4-wheel ATV marketed.   1983 Jul. Yamaha Motor Australia founded. Apr. Entered Technical Assistance Agreement for 80cc motorcycle production with a factory in Beijing, China.   Mar. Yamaha original helmets marketed.   1982 Oct. Entered Technical Assistance Agreement with Ohlins, Sweden. May. J.O.B. Co., Ltd. (marina operation company) established.   Feb. Total motorcycle production reached 20 million mark.   Jan. Yamaha Research & Development Center constructed.   1981 Mar. Low-pollution, high speed chrome-plating system "YRPS" developed. Feb. Industrial assembly robot developed.   1980 Jul. Yamaha Engineering Co., Ltd. (present Y.E.C. Co., Ltd.) founded. May Shimba-shibori Mfg. Co., Ltd. (present Soqi, Ltd.) joined Yamaha group.   Jan. Yamaha Motor Corporation's new head office constructed in Cypress, California. © Yamaha Motor Australia Yamaha Motor Australia Disclaimer Information HOT NEWS THE BOYS ARE BACK: QYJDT RETURNS FOR '09 YAMAHA RACING 2008 SEASON SUMMARY YAMAHA USA 2009 RACE TEAMS YRT 2009 ROAD RACE LINEUP ANNOUNCED ROB MAC RACING 2009 RIDER LINE-UP YAMAHA ANNOUNCES 2009 QLD MX TEAM ALL NEW YFZ450R IS RACE READY DAKAR 2009 PACE IS MAINTAINED 3RD PLACE SCRATCH FOR FRÉTIGNE IN DAKAR