6 • August 2026 • Powersports Business

Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA, announced its newest president is Eiko Kirino, a 30−year veteran of the company, where she spent her career overseeing sales, marketing, product planning, and corporate communications.

Kirino began her tenure when she was first assigned to the manufacturer’ s operation in France, where she focused on growth through sales, market development, and racing, and later returned to Japan to lead the sales department for all of Europe.

Her duties then shifted to product planning for performance models like the launch of the Ninja H2, and later she was assigned as general manager of Kawasaki’ s global marketing efforts.

Kirino was appointed president of Kawasaki Motors Japan in 2021, then went on to lead global strategy for corporate communications and external affairs.

As a motorcycle rider and enthusiast, Kirino says she’ s excited to build on the strong momentum that

As a motorcycle rider and enthusiast, Eiko Kirino says she’ s excited to build on the strong momentum that Kawasaki has established in North America and will oversee all powersports and general-purpose engine operations.( Photo: Kawasaki)

Kawasaki has established in North America and will oversee all powersports and general-purpose engine operations.

“ As Kawasaki pursues its vision for sustainable, long-term global growth, the U. S. remains our most important market,” says Ms. Kirino.“ It is both a tremendous honor and a personal joy for me to lead Kawasaki USA, having long held a deep passion for powersports, both professionally and personally.”

After joining Kawasaki USA in 2022, outgoing president Naoki Kawaguchi will return to Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. in Japan. Kawaguchi has led North American operations as president since 2024, and his tenure culminated last year when Kawasaki reached the No. 1 motorcycle market share in the U. S.

Motorcycle Industry Council and Motorcycle Safety Foundation vice president of communications Andria Yu has been appointed to the U. S. Department of Transportation’ s Motorcyclist Advisory Council.

Making the appointment was U. S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, who stated in a letter:

“ Your work representing a national motorcycle manufacturing association will greatly benefit MAC and the department’ s efforts to improve safety outcomes and infrastructure performance. Your experience and leadership will add valuable insights and perspectives that will help further MAC’ s mission of reducing injuries and fatalities on our nation’ s highways,” says Duffy.

A longtime onand off-road motorcyclist and certified MSF Rider- Coach, Andria Yu will represent motorcycle rider education and training on the 13-member council.( Photo: LinkedIn)

Yu will represent motorcycle rider education and training on the 13−member council, which provides recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation, the National

Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Federal Highway Administration on transportation issues affecting motorcyclists. The council’ s work includes motorcycle safety, roadway design and maintenance, and the implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.

A longtime on- and off-road motorcyclist and certified MSF RiderCoach, Yu has led rider training events and media rides that have helped introduce new riders to motorcycling.

“ It’ s a privilege to serve on the Motorcyclist Advisory Council and represent the motorcycle industry in important conversations about rider safety and transportation policy,” says Yu.“ As transportation continues to evolve, it’ s essential that riders and the industry have a voice in discussions about infrastructure, roadway design, emerging technologies, and policies that affect motorcyclists.”

The MAC was reconstituted in 2024 after several years of inactivity, following efforts by the MIC, MSF, and others to restore the federal advisory body. The council provides a forum for representatives from rider education, manufacturing, government, and transportation safety to help inform federal transportation policy affecting motorcyclists.