Brand Comparison
Johnson vs Parsun 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.
| Johnson Outboards | Suzhou Parsun Power Machine Co., Ltd. | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1922 | 2001 (company; registered 2004) |
| Headquarters | Waukegan, Illinois (former, via OMC) | Suzhou High-Tech Zone, Jiangsu Province, China |
| Ownership | BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007 | Eastern Precision (Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed) |
| Stock / Ticker | TSX/Nasdaq: DOO — parent BRP Inc. (Johnson discontinued after 2007) | Parent: Eastern Precision (Shanghai Stock Exchange) |
| Annual Revenue | ≈ $9.0 billion (TTM, BRP Inc. — whole company) | Not separately disclosed for the outboard business |
| Employees | ≈ 17,000 worldwide (BRP Inc., entire company) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Manufacturing | Johnson-brand outboard production has ended | One main manufacturing facility |
| HP Range | (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued | 2 – 300 hp |
| Fuel / Power | 2-stroke (historic) and later 4-stroke | 4-stroke & 2-stroke gasoline + electric |
| Product Lines | 3 families | 3 families |
| Signature Tech |
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| Famous For | 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. | Affordable, widely-exported outboards. Parsun is one of the most recognizable Chinese outboard brands worldwide, known for covering 2-stroke, 4-stroke and electric power at a value price. |
| Best For | Owners of existing Johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. | Value buyers, tenders, rental fleets and budget repowers wanting a low-cost 2-stroke, 4-stroke or electric outboard. |
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
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.
Parsun on the water
Value & Budget Repowers
A go-to for buyers who want a new outboard at a lower price than the premium Japanese and American brands.
Tenders & Small Boats
Light portable 2–10 hp motors suit dinghies, inflatables and tenders.
Rental & Fleet Use
Simple, low-cost two-strokes and portables are common in rental and high-use small-boat fleets.
Which one fits you?
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
Choose Parsun if…
- ✓Very broad range — 2-stroke, 4-stroke and electric from 2 to 300 hp
- ✓Value pricing versus premium Japanese and American brands
- ✓EPA- and CE-certified, ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 manufacturing
Browse & Official Links
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The Honest Take
Both Johnson Outboards and Suzhou Parsun Power Machine Co., Ltd. are top-tier outboard builders — you can buy either with confidence. Johnson leans toward owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history, while Parsun leans toward value buyers, tenders, rental fleets and budget repowers wanting a low-cost 2-stroke, 4-stroke or electric outboard. 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 Johnson or Parsun the better outboard?
Neither is universally "better" — they lead in different areas. Johnson is best for owners of existing johnson motors and buyers researching used outboards and brand history. Parsun is best for value buyers, tenders, rental fleets and budget repowers wanting a low-cost 2-stroke, 4-stroke or electric outboard. The right choice depends on how you boat and what dealer support is near you.
What is the HP range of Johnson vs Parsun?
Johnson Outboards offers (historic) portable through high-hp — brand discontinued, while Suzhou Parsun Power Machine Co., Ltd. offers 2 – 300 hp.
Who owns Johnson and Parsun?
Johnson Outboards: BRP Inc. — brand discontinued after 2007. Suzhou Parsun Power Machine Co., Ltd.: Eastern Precision (Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed).