Delek Motors Secures Six-Year Agreement to Import Kawasaki Motorcycles
Delek Motors has signed a six-year agreement with Kawasaki Motors Europe to directly import and market Kawasaki motorcycles in Israel. The deal follows Metro's decision to drop Kawasaki in favor of Yamaha following an antitrust regulatory ruling.
Delek Automotive announced that its subsidiary, Delek Motors, has signed a six-year agreement with Kawasaki Motors Europe to directly import and market Kawasaki motorcycles in Israel. The deal follows a prolonged legal battle that forced the veteran importer, Metro, to choose between two major Japanese brands, Yamaha and Kawasaki.
Antitrust Ruling and Market Impact
For years, Metro acted as the sole importer for both competing Japanese brands. However, following recommendations from the Israel Competition Authority, the Ministry of Transport ruled that the company could no longer hold import licenses for both brands simultaneously. In March, the Supreme Court rejected Metro's final appeal against the decision.
Faced with this regulatory hurdle, Metro ultimately chose to retain Yamaha. According to financial reports, Metro decided not to renew its Kawasaki import license as of June 30, though it was granted permission to sell off its remaining inventory until the end of December.
Delek Motors Steps In
Under the new agreement, Delek Motors will serve as an official, though non-exclusive, distributor of Kawasaki motorcycles in Israel, encompassing electric and hybrid models. The partnership also covers the import of spare parts, original accessories, apparel, and related merchandise.
Delek Motors has committed to expanding the brand's market share, establishing a network of showrooms and service centers, and providing customer support meeting the strict standards of the Japanese manufacturer. This move builds on Delek's broader expansion, which included acquiring the import operations of Dongfeng and the luxury electric brand Voyah from Metro for approximately 110 million NIS.
Market Dynamics and Pending Approvals
Market data underscores why Metro favored Yamaha. In 2025 registration figures, Yamaha delivered 3,851 units in Israel, compared to just 672 units for Kawasaki. For Delek Motors, the franchise presents a strategic opportunity to scale its two-wheeler portfolio.
Despite the signed agreement, commercial operations remain contingent on regulatory approval. Delek Automotive emphasized in its stock exchange filing that the import of most products requires a license from the Ministry of Transport, which has not yet been secured.
