Tohatsu Outboard

The history of Tohatsu Corporation begins in 1922, when in Tokyo Masuzo Takata (Masuzo Takata) founded the Takata Motor Research Institute (Takata Motor Research Institute). In 1923, after the earthquake, the company moved to Hong Kong, a Tokyo suburb, and produces engines for irrigation pumps as part of government orders. In 1925, the company was renamed Takata Motor Enterprise, and from 1927, the production of the MF-70A motorcycle tires began for the Ministry of Railway Transport of Japan. The company is expanding, reorganizing and renamed twice more. Generators for military and civilian radio stations are being produced.

In 1935, the first outboard outboard motor "2F-50" was developed. It was a 2-stroke 2-cylinder engine with a power of 3 hp, intended for delivery to the army and navy. In the army under the name "Sosenki", the fleet - "Gengaiki". Whether it was launched into production - information could not be found, most likely not. In 1939, the company was renamed Tokyo Hatsudoki Co., Ltd. The name Tohatsu comes from the abbreviation of these two words. In the early 1940s, only military products were naturally produced, among which small gasoline engines were achieved and significant progress was achieved. Since 1946, the production of traveling machines for the national railway company (the former Ministry of Railways), generators for fishing vessels and conventional generators, irrigation pumps and general-purpose gasoline engines began. In 1949, the company is the first in Japan to begin the production of pre-moving fire pump units based on the design of its irrigation pumps.

During the 15 years of the post-war period, the outboard motors of Mercury, Johnson and other foreign factories were not imported to Japan due to the lack of budget quotas for them. At this point, Tohatsu outboard motors dominated the Japanese market. All other small and medium manufacturers of boat engines in Japan studied the characteristics and features of foreign suspension, giving them an especially attractive appearance. However, the external gloss was not fundamental for Japanese fishermen. They needed ease of operation and reliability. In 1950, the production of 78 vat moped engines and mopeds, and then motorcycles began. In the production of motorcycles Tohatsu dominated the market. And since 1956, the company began producing boat motors for the first time in Japan. It was a 1.5 hp air cooling OB-2 designed for Japanese fishermen. The motor was designed on the basis of a revised and modified motor of a motorized sprayer and, oddly enough, did not cause much interest until 1959. The company also actively produced motor-cultivators and other agricultural machinery.

From 1957 to 1960, motorcycle sales began to fall, as Tohatsu motorcycles were positioned as practical and reliable cars, while the younger generation needed high-speed motorcycles with a modern design. The share of motorcycles to other products Tohatsu at that time was 80%, so the company suffered serious financial losses. Tohatsu is trying to compensate for the losses with the release of several motorcycle models that meet the requirements of the highly sought-after and successful models, however, this does not save the financial situation and Tohatsu is not able to enter the car production market, which, apparently according to all forecasts, expected the next financial boom.

In September 1960, management resigns and in December transfers management to Fuji Electric Manufacturing Corp., which holds a 16% stake in Tohatsu. In February 1964, the board of directors decided to declare bankruptcy. The company appointed by the court external manager at the time of the reorganization. The production of Tohatsu outboard motors provided significant support at this moment. Then, in 1969, there was encouraging news from the United States in the form of a large order from the American company Rupp Corp. 200,000 engines to their snowmobiles. Tohatsu also pays special attention to the development of boat engines. Despite the fierce competition in this industry that influenced all manufacturers, Tohatsu launches new models. Among them, for example, 8-strong B13A, successfully sold for 15 years from 1970 to 1986, as well as B10A2 with a capacity of 6 hp. and B30A 18 hp Tohatsu enters the refrigeration market for trucks, which, together with outboard motors and fire pumps, are still produced today.

In 1971, the reorganization after bankruptcy ended and in June 1972 Tokyo Hatsudoki was renamed Tohatsu Corporation. Tohatsu continues its expansion in the market of mobile fire pump units and refrigeration units for trucks. By 1974, the number of exported outboard motors exceeded the number sold in the local market. In 1977, the five hundred cubic M35A was released, which outpaced competitors and won the race on the water. In the following two years, updated 9.9 strong, 12 - 18 strong and 25 strong suspension brackets and new 55 - 70 strong were presented. Tohatsu receives impressive state orders for outboard motors and fire pumps. In 1984, the new president of the company took office, Tohatsu, in addition to producing boat engines and fire pumping units, began to engage in leasing operations on land and buildings belonging to it. She is engaged in the construction of shopping centers and office premises, making them available for rent.

In February 1988, Tohatsu Marine Corporation was founded together with the American company Brunswick (Brunswick), which owns Mercury Marine. At the same time, Tohatsu is building a new line for the production of outboard motors, including a suspension of 120 hp. In addition to Brunswick, Tohatsu enters into an agreement with Nissan Motor Corp. OEM production of Nissan outboard motors. Having partnerships with such companies, Tohatsu's boat engine business has grown significantly stronger. Together with Techno Kasei Ind. Corp. To better promote its boat engines, Tohatsu begins to produce boats.

Strong eclogical requirements led the company in 1998 to the production of four-stroke outboard engines and fire pumps, and in 2000 to two-stroke TLDI technology (Two Stroke, Low Pressure, Direct Injection - two-stroke direct injection) patent holder of Orbital Corp. direct injection technology. Tohatsu and Tohatsu Marine Corporation (many models under the brand of Mercury and Mariner) are currently producing boat engines at the Nagano plant. Other main products of the company are fire pump units.