Yamaha Leaving California After 50 Years, Headquarters Moving to Georgia

Motorcycle and motorsports giant cites cost pressures and structural reforms as reasons for relocation impacting 250 workers.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 3:18am

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After nearly 50 years in Orange County, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA is moving its headquarters from Cypress, California to Kennesaw, Georgia as part of major 'structural reforms' meant to boost profits amid rising costs, including tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. The relocation will impact about 250 workers and is expected to take place over the next two years, with Yamaha also planning to unload its 25-acre Katella Avenue campus in Cypress.

Why it matters

Yamaha's departure marks another corporate blow for Cypress, which previously lost Mitsubishi Motors North America's longtime headquarters in 2019. The move highlights the ongoing challenges businesses face in California due to rising costs and the need to remain competitive in shifting market conditions.

The details

Yamaha says consolidating operations in Georgia simply makes better business sense in terms of efficiency, with the company already having shifted its marine division there in 1999 and motorsports operations in 2019. The relocation won't happen overnight, with Yamaha planning to start the exit in late 2026 and the transition stretching into 2028. The company's sprawling 25-acre Katella Avenue campus in Cypress, which handles finance and corporate operations tied to its motorsports lineup, will also be put up for sale by commercial brokerage Avison Young.

  • Yamaha plans to start the headquarters relocation in late 2026.
  • The full transition to Georgia is expected to be completed by 2028.

The players

Yamaha Motor Corp. USA

The U.S. subsidiary of the Japanese motorcycle and motorsports giant Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

Bob Starr

Spokesman for Yamaha Motor Corp. USA.

Alicia Velasco

Planning and community development director for the city of Cypress, California.

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What they’re saying

“In terms of efficiency, to have us all together in Georgia — all the functions of the business — it makes a lot of sense.”

— Bob Starr, Spokesman

“As one of the first companies to locate in the Cypress Business Park in 1980, Yamaha has been an important part of our business community for more than 40 years. We thank Yamaha for its long-standing partnership and look forward to working with its management to transition the site to new ownership.”

— Alicia Velasco, Planning and Community Development Director, City of Cypress

What’s next

Yamaha plans to start the headquarters relocation process in late 2026, with the full transition to Georgia expected to be completed by 2028. The company's 25-acre Katella Avenue campus in Cypress will also be put up for sale during this time period.

The takeaway

Yamaha's decision to leave California after nearly 50 years highlights the ongoing challenges businesses face in the state due to rising costs and the need to remain competitive in shifting market conditions. The move is another blow for the city of Cypress, which previously lost Mitsubishi Motors North America's longtime headquarters, underscoring the broader trend of corporate departures from the state.