Yamaha Motor and John Deere Announce Collaboration on Future Side-by-Side Vehicles
Collaboration will bring together Yamaha Motor’s Powertrain and Vehicle Expertise with John Deere’s Vehicle Development and U.S. Manufacturing Capabilities
MARIETTA, Ga. – October 6, 2026 – The Yamaha John Deere SxS collaboration is official. Yamaha Motor Corp., USA and Deere & Company (“John Deere”) today announced an agreement to collaborate on the development of certain future Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles.
The companies will pair Yamaha’s powertrain and vehicle design expertise with John Deere’s vehicle development, U.S. manufacturing capabilities, and customer insights to create innovative, highly capable SxS vehicles that meet evolving customer needs.
Yamaha RMAX Super Sport concept blending high-performance sport UTV styling with the RMAX platform’s utility-focused design.
Yamaha John Deere SxS: UTV On Demand Editor’s Note
Since Yamaha announced plans to discontinue side-by-side production at its Newnan, Georgia facility, the industry has been left wondering what’s next for its SXS lineup. This newly announced collaboration with John Deere may offer our first indication of what that future could look like.
The recreation utility segment has become one of the strongest focal points in the market, especially as manufacturers invest in premium, fully enclosed HVAC equipped machines. Combining John Deere’s extensive utility vehicle experience with Yamaha’s powertrain, suspension, and off-road performance capabilities could make for a promising partnership in that segment.
Yamaha RMAX Super Sport concept demonstrates the idea of combining sport UTV performance with the towing and recreational versatility expected from the RMAX platform.
There are interesting possibilities for Yamaha’s sport utility lineup as well. The Wolverine RMAX 1000, winner of our 2022 Sport Utility SxS Shootout, has already shown what’s possible in that category. A fully enclosed, HVAC-equipped RMAX that retains the performance that defines the platform is something we’d certainly like to see.
Then, there’s the performance question. Yamaha has deep roots in high-performance powersports, while John Deere brings decades of utility focused experience. Could this partnership eventually extend beyond rec utility and sport utility machines and lead to a new Sport SxS?
Neither company is giving details yet, but the Yamaha John Deere SxS collaboration provides the first real indication of what may come next for Yamaha’s lineup. We’ll be watching closely.
The Yamaha RMAX Super Sport concept shows how a more performance-focused RMAX could look in action, combining aggressive styling with the platform’s off-road capability.
“We are excited about this relationship and the opportunities it creates for Yamaha, John Deere, our dealers, and most importantly, our customers,” said Dean Burnett, Yamaha Motorsports President. “Together, two trusted global brands can accelerate innovation and bring greater value to the market.”
“John Deere and Yamaha share a commitment to quality, innovation, and strong dealer networks,” said Jon Chase, Vice President, John Deere Turf and Compact Utility Business Unit. “This collaboration will enable us to develop differentiated products that excite customers and create meaningful value.”
Yamaha Motor and John Deere will retain their respective brands, dealer and sales channels, and customer relationships. Details about future products will be announced at the appropriate time.
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Golf Cars [sold, serviced, and distributed by Yamaha Golf-Car Company], Surface Mount Technology and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, four corporate offices in Georgia, as well as facilities in Wisconsin, Alabama, and Florida. YMUS subsidiaries Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC), based in Georgia, and Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing USA (YJBM) based in Tennessee, each assemble and manufacture selected Yamaha brand products. YMUS owns Skeeter Boats [Texas] with its division G3 Boats [Missouri]. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company, Inc. (YMSC) with subsidiaries Siren Marine [Rhode Island] and Torqeedo Inc. [Illinois] and divisions Bennett Marine [Florida], Yamaha Marine Rotational Molders [Wisconsin] and Yamaha Precision Propeller Inc. [Indiana].
Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, USA, dba Yamaha Financial Services, is an affiliate of Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA offering financing solutions to support Yamaha Dealers and loyal Yamaha Customers nationwide.
About Deere & Company
It doesn’t matter if you’ve never driven a tractor, mowed a lawn, or operated a dozer. With John Deere’s role in helping produce food, fiber, fuel, and infrastructure, we work for every single person on the planet. It all started nearly 200 years ago with a steel plow. Today, John Deere drives innovation in agriculture, construction, forestry, turf, power systems, and more.
For more information on Deere & Company, visit Deere.com.
More Yamaha Side-by-Side Tests & Editorial from UTV On Demand
For more on Yamaha’s RMAX platform and why we consider it the benchmark in the 1000cc sport utility category:
- Updated 2025 Yamaha RMAX2 1000 Test Review — Our latest test of the RMAX2, including Yamaha’s 2025 suspension, drivetrain, EPS, braking and utility updates. UTV On Demand
- 2022 Sport Utility SXS Shootout: Yamaha RMAX 1000 vs. Can-Am Commander 1000R vs. Polaris General XP 1000 — The comparison in which the RMAX2 earned our top spot. UTV On Demand
- 2025 Yamaha RMAX4 1000 Test Review — Our test of Yamaha’s full-size four-seat RMAX4. UTV On Demand
- Original 2021 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX 1000 Test Review — Our original in-depth RMAX2 evaluation. UTV On Demand
For viewers who want the tests on video, watch the 2025 Yamaha RMAX 1000 Test Review on UTV On Demand YouTube or the RMAX vs. Commander vs. General Sport Utility SXS Shootout. The shootout video has accumulated more than 700,000 views, making it especially worth linking from this story.
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