Did I miss something? No more Johnson?

[Mark42]

From the Johnson website:

Johnson is a part of BRP's heritage and many Johnson engines are still on the water. BRP will continue to manufacture Johnson parts and offer service for Johnson parts for existing engines. Distributors and dealers in all markets will continue to have access to spare parts to support continued enjoyment of Johnson powered boats. We are contemplating the various options that exist to perpetuate the Johnson brand and will share further information as it is readily available.

So BRP has stopped production of Johnson motors? This was probably big news and I just missed it, or I am totally misunderstanding that quote....

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Did I miss something? No more Johnson?

5 years ago that happened. Where were you?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Did I miss something? No more Johnson?

5 years ago that happened. Where were you?

Wow! 5 years ago??? Guess I was on a different planet or something.

At least Bush is still President... Right?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Did I miss something? No more Johnson?

Towards the end, the Johnson name was just being used on re-badged 4-stroke Suzukis, then was just dropped altogether.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Did I miss something? No more Johnson?

Towards the end, the Johnson name was just being used on re-badged 4-stroke Suzukis, then was just dropped altogether.

Wow. That is really sad. Sounds like someone ran Johnson right into the ground.

It looks like the 2002-2003 V4 Johnson I bought is still a Johnson/Evinrude product and not a re-labeled Suzy or other.

I hate that re-labeling crap... If I wanted a Suzuki I would go buy a Suzuki. Uggg. Such is life.

 

[glengold]

Re: Did I miss something? No more Johnson?

BRP just figured they would be more profitable sticking with the Evinrude name and further developing that brand. They probably determined that Johnson sales were cannibalizing Evinrude sales. I don't think Johnson was ran into the ground, they are still manufacturing Johnson parts! You could get BRP's annual report online (esp. if they are publicly traded) and see for yourself how big of an impact Johnson sales make to their bottom line.

You would be surprised the number of brands that don't disappear but actually change companies. I was surprised to find that Kraft was once (or maybe still is!) owned by tobacco giant Altrea. Maybe that's why Mac and Cheese is so bad for you!

At least BRP is still supplying johnson parts, unlike the OMC outdrives still hanging on the backs of plenty of boats. I don't get that one at all because when OMC was bought out the Johnson/Evinrude motors continued to be produced but the outdrives stopped.

 

[F_R]

Re: Did I miss something? No more Johnson?

Might as well face the facts. OMC went bankrupt. BRP took it on and had some tough decisions to make.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Did I miss something? No more Johnson?

Wow. That is really sad. Sounds like someone ran Johnson right into the ground.

I don't think it was run into the ground at all.

I actually think the re-labelling of Suzuki 4 strokes was a good move. It helped fill the void in the line up until they got the e-tec line filled and marketed. All they had otherwise was Ficht Evinrudes and the carb'd Johnsons. Neither of those were really all that appealing. The ficht motors had a bad reputation and the carb'd Johnsons were "old" tech.

You know historically, Johnson or Evinrude (depends who you ask) was obsolete anyways.

Once the e-tec line was filled out all effort when to supporting the Evinrude brand.

It actually seems to be a well thought out plan.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Did I miss something? No more Johnson?

At least BRP is still supplying johnson parts, unlike the OMC outdrives still hanging on the backs of plenty of boats. I don't get that one at all because when OMC was bought out the Johnson/Evinrude motors continued to be produced but the outdrives stopped.

OMC stopped making the Cobra outdrive on their own in 1993-1994. They had entered into a joint venture with Volvo Penta. They labeled the joint venture drive Cobra SX. By 1996-1997 OMC didn't have anything to do with the outdrives...well they were all labeled Volvo Penta by then.

OMC went out of business in 2001. Bombardier bought most of the assets.

Some parts are still available direct from BRP.

 

[glengold]

Re: Did I miss something? No more Johnson?

very interesting RR, thanks for the info.

I was solely going on the advice that you shouldn't purchase a boat with an OMC outdrive because parts will be hard to come by. I've never looked at BRP for OMC outdrive parts personally.

I like an old carbed outboard because I don't have the money for a new E-Tec.