If you’re a regular fan and subscriber to The Watercraft Journal’s YouTube channel and weekly live video podcast held every Sunday evening at 8pm, you might’ve already seen this author’s detailed presentation of the current issues facing the 2022 production run of all three Original Equipment Manufacturers and what it means to you, the consumer.
After that episode, the emails and private messages began pouring in from concerned PWC buyers and enthusiasts – but one trend we saw scared us more than most. Multiple subscribers to WCJ shared that they received messages from powersport dealers that Kawasaki USA will freeze production on all STX and SX-R models, and reduce the rest of the line by an average of 20%.
Inquiring further details, The Watercraft Journal reached out to Kawasaki Motors USA Public Relations Manager, Ken Essex who wrote back the following:
As you know, most industries have been impacted by a variety of issues to meet consumer demand during the pandemic. Kawasaki, along with our competitors have been impacted by component shortages and supply chain issues that have led to delays in production across all product segments.
Due to the late start in production and delivering units, our window of production for 2022 models has been shortened before 2023 production is scheduled to begin, therefore we are unable to meet the dealer demand. Fortunately, the all new Jet Ski Ultra 310 models have been impacted the least. We are just an anxious as you to get our hands on the new model and you’ll be first to know when they become available.
As for the STX 160s, we expect to issue repair information to dealers in the weeks to follow.
Simultaneously, as we were writing this WCJ received a copy of the official announcement of Kawasaki’s reduction in 2022 production, citing inflated costs of shipping, reduction in necessary components and of course, coronavirus as key influences. The letter, which we’ve included below, remains hopeful and together with the note from Essex, hints at an early start for production 2023 units.
Happy New Year! Our hope for 2022 at Kawasaki is that Covid and its variants run their course and we can resume to normal conditions in the second half of the year.
At present, this terrible virus continues to put pressure on our manufacturing capabilities. We have seen some stabilization in transportation rates but not improvement. Meaning that rates remain very high but are not continuing to increase. Supply chain conditions for components continue to be very challenging along with manpower issues due to the latest Omicron variant.
Based upon these latest conditions we want to update you as part of our ongoing efforts to provide you with the latest vehicle supply information.
Unfortunately, these ongoing supply chain interruptions will affect our ability to supply you with 100% of your outstanding orders. We will need to reduce allocations on several motorcycle models, one (1) ATV model, and the most painful reductions will be on JET SKI® watercraft orders. The good news is, NO reductions on SIDE x SIDE vehicles. Please see the chart below “Outstanding Dealer Order Reductions”.
These reductions will vary by dealership based on your dealerships’ prior receipt of these models compared to outstanding orders. We anticipate visibility of these adjustments on K-Dealer by next Friday, January 21, 2022.
We apologize for these latest reductions and I assure you that all of us at Kawasaki are working extremely hard to improve vehicle deliveries to your dealerships.
There is light at the end of the tunnel… starting in April, we anticipate having a variety of models in all categories, except Jet Ski watercraft available for “Open Ordering”. This will be just in time for the beginning of the spring selling season.
I hope this information helps your retail business planning for Kawasaki vehicles for the next six (6) months.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support of the Kawasaki brand.
