Re: How Good Are Tohatsu 40 HP Outboards?
Just as wrong
In the U.S. Mercury's 4-strokes up through 30 hp are built by Tohatsu. Mercury also buys other 2-stroke, larger size Tohatsu's and sells them under Mercury and Mariner labels around the rest of the world. There is no joint factory as such. There is a joint venture company that owns the land, the plant on it and some production machinery. However, that plant is then leased to Tohatsu who manufacturers their engines under the Tohatsu, Nissan, Mercury and Mariner label. It is a 100% Tohatsu operation. If I remember correctly Mercury's participation amounted to a million dollars or so. It was a really done so that Brunswick could save face about who made the engines. Some of the Mercury/Mariner models have a different shift mechanism, cowling design, etc.
