Brand Comparison
Hidea vs Johnson Outboards
A straight, factual side-by-side — both are excellent builders that simply shine in different places. Here is how they line up and who each one suits.
| Hangzhou Hidea Power Machinery Co., Ltd. | Johnson Outboards | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 | 1922 |
| Headquarters | Hangzhou, China | Waukegan, Illinois (former, via OMC) |
| Ownership | Publicly listed (China) | BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007 |
| Stock / Ticker | Publicly listed (China) | TSX/Nasdaq: DOO — parent BRP Inc. (Johnson discontinued after 2007) |
| Annual Revenue | Not separately disclosed for the outboard business | ≈ $9.0 billion (TTM, BRP Inc. — whole company) |
| Employees | Not publicly disclosed | ≈ 17,000 worldwide (BRP Inc., entire company) |
| Manufacturing | One main manufacturing facility (automated/robotic lines) | Johnson-brand outboard production has ended |
| HP Range | 2.5 – 130 hp (150–200 hp V6 announced for 2025) | (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued |
| Fuel / Power | 4-stroke, 4-stroke EFI & 2-stroke gasoline | 2-stroke (historic) and later 4-stroke |
| Product Lines | 3 families | 3 families |
| Signature Tech |
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| Famous For | Affordable Yamaha-style outboards. Hidea is known as a fast-rising Chinese value brand whose small/mid engines mirror Yamaha architecture, with EPA/CE certification and wide export reach. | Being one of the two names (with Evinrude) that defined American outboarding for most of the 20th century — lightweight aluminum motors and early racing. Discontinued by BRP after 2007. |
| Best For | Value buyers, small-to-mid boats and fleets wanting an affordable 2-stroke, 4-stroke or EFI outboard with Yamaha-style parts compatibility. | Owners of existing Johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. |
Revenue and workforce figures are point-in-time snapshots from company filings for the year shown (in several cases the parent company, not just the marine division). Stock price, market value, and ROI change daily — use the ticker for live pricing.
Where Each Brand Dominates
Hidea on the water
Value & Budget Repowers
Low-cost new outboards with Yamaha-compatible parts on many models.
Small & Mid Boats
Strong 2.5–130 hp coverage for tenders, tinnies and mid-size boats.
Fleets & High-Use
High capacity and simple designs suit rental and commercial fleets.
Johnson on the water
Historic / Collector Interest
A founding American outboard brand with strong collector and restoration interest.
Used-Motor Market
A very large installed base keeps Johnson common and serviceable in the used market.
Vintage Racing Heritage
Known for 1920s outboard racing success in its early years.
Which one fits you?
Choose Hidea if…
- ✓Value pricing with Yamaha-compatible parts on many models
- ✓Broad 2-stroke / 4-stroke / EFI lineup
- ✓High production capacity and wide global distribution
Choose Johnson if…
- ✓Founding-era American outboard heritage with 1920s racing wins
- ✓Enormous installed base and parts availability in the used market
- ✓BRP continues parts and warranty support for existing owners
Browse & Official Links
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The Honest Take
Both Hangzhou Hidea Power Machinery Co., Ltd. and Johnson Outboards are top-tier outboard builders — you can buy either with confidence. Hidea leans toward value buyers, small-to-mid boats and fleets wanting an affordable 2-stroke, 4-stroke or efi outboard with yamaha-style parts compatibility, while Johnson leans toward owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. For most buyers the deciding factors are which dealer and service network is strongest in your area, and which brand your local mechanics know best. Whichever you choose, you can browse listings for both on OutboardListings.com.
FAQ
Is Hidea or Johnson the better outboard?
Neither is universally "better" — they lead in different areas. Hidea is best for value buyers, small-to-mid boats and fleets wanting an affordable 2-stroke, 4-stroke or efi outboard with yamaha-style parts compatibility. Johnson is best for owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. The right choice depends on how you boat and what dealer support is near you.
What is the HP range of Hidea vs Johnson?
Hangzhou Hidea Power Machinery Co., Ltd. offers 2.5 – 130 hp (150–200 hp V6 announced for 2025), while Johnson Outboards offers (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued.
Who owns Hidea and Johnson?
Hangzhou Hidea Power Machinery Co., Ltd.: Publicly listed (China). Johnson Outboards: BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007.