Ex-Yamaha boss to take the reigns at IMMA
Eric de Seynes was formerly the CEO at Yamaha although he’ll now preside over the International Motorcycle Manufacturers’ Association
THE International Motorcycle Manufacturers’ Association (IMMA) has elected Eric de Seynes as its new president, as the former CEO of Yamaha take over for the next two years.
De Seynes is a lifelong biker and enthusiast who raced and even took part in the Dakar Rally in 1982. De Seynes has held a string of high-profile positions at the top of big brands across the motorcycle industry. Most recently he was appointed as Group Executive Officer at Yamaha in 2016, before going on to become the first non-Japanese CEO of the automotive group.
He was officially confirmed in the new role earlier this year, at the IMMA’s Spring Congress in New Dehli. De Seynes took over the post from Mr Rakesh Sharma, who presided over the IMMA between 2020 and 2023. He also holds the position of Executive Director at Bajaj Auto, the Indian motorcycle maker that has close ties to KTM and Triumph to name just two.
Now Mr De Seyenes has pledged to advance safe and sustainable motorcycling through education, innovation, and cooperation. In his acceptance speech, he said, “Thank you for your confidence in electing me today. I am fully committed to the task and look forward to working with the members and with the secretary general, defending and promoting the industry and motorcycling”.
In his farewell speech, outgoing IMMA president Mr Sharma said, “IMMA Secretariat has continued its successful collaboration with the WP.29 World Forum to facilitate the fitment of cutting-edge technologies for safety and environmental performance at a Global level, to remove trade barriers and enable fair, free and open competition”.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
