Brand Comparison
Parsun vs Tohatsu 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.
| Suzhou Parsun Power Machine Co., Ltd. | Tohatsu Corporation | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 (company; registered 2004) | 1956 (marine); company founded 1922 |
| Headquarters | Suzhou High-Tech Zone, Jiangsu Province, China | Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
| Ownership | Eastern Precision (Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed) | Tohatsu Corporation (privately held) |
| Stock / Ticker | Parent: Eastern Precision (Shanghai Stock Exchange) | Privately held |
| Annual Revenue | Not separately disclosed for the outboard business | Not publicly disclosed (privately held company) |
| Employees | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly disclosed |
| Manufacturing | One main manufacturing facility | Japan plus China and Thailand |
| HP Range | 2 – 300 hp | 2.5 – 250 hp |
| Fuel / Power | 4-stroke & 2-stroke gasoline + electric | 4-stroke gasoline (historic TLDI direct-injection 2-strokes in some markets) |
| Product Lines | 3 families | 4 families |
| Signature Tech |
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| Famous For | 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. | Being the quiet giant of the outboard world — the second-largest producer overall and the OEM factory behind a large share of small Mercury (and formerly Nissan) outboards. |
| Best For | Value buyers, tenders, rental fleets and budget repowers wanting a low-cost 2-stroke, 4-stroke or electric outboard. | Buyers who want a light, dependable, easy-to-service portable or mid-range outboard from a proven OEM builder. |
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
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.
Tohatsu on the water
Portable & Kicker Motors
Light, simple portables are a core strength — a common choice for dinghies, tenders and trolling/kicker duty.
Commercial & Rental Fleets
Simple, easy-to-service designs suit high-use rental and commercial small-boat fleets.
OEM Supply
Builds many of the small motors sold under the Mercury badge worldwide.
Which one fits you?
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
Choose Tohatsu if…
- ✓World's second-largest outboard manufacturer
- ✓OEM builder for many small Mercury outboards — proven, widely-serviced designs
- ✓Light, simple, reliable portables that are easy to work on
Browse & Official Links
Parsun Outboards
External links open in a new window.
The Honest Take
Both Suzhou Parsun Power Machine Co., Ltd. and Tohatsu Corporation are top-tier outboard builders — you can buy either with confidence. Parsun leans toward value buyers, tenders, rental fleets and budget repowers wanting a low-cost 2-stroke, 4-stroke or electric outboard, while Tohatsu leans toward buyers who want a light, dependable, easy-to-service portable or mid-range outboard from a proven oem builder. 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 Parsun or Tohatsu the better outboard?
Neither is universally "better" — they lead in different areas. Parsun is best for value buyers, tenders, rental fleets and budget repowers wanting a low-cost 2-stroke, 4-stroke or electric outboard. Tohatsu is best for buyers who want a light, dependable, easy-to-service portable or mid-range outboard from a proven oem builder. The right choice depends on how you boat and what dealer support is near you.
What is the HP range of Parsun vs Tohatsu?
Suzhou Parsun Power Machine Co., Ltd. offers 2 – 300 hp, while Tohatsu Corporation offers 2.5 – 250 hp.
Who owns Parsun and Tohatsu?
Suzhou Parsun Power Machine Co., Ltd.: Eastern Precision (Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed). Tohatsu Corporation: Tohatsu Corporation (privately held).