Manufacturer Profile
Tohatsu Corporation
The world's second-largest outboard producer — and the factory behind many small Mercury motors.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1956 (marine); company founded 1922
- Headquarters
- Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Country
- Japan
- Ownership
- Tohatsu Corporation (privately held)
- HP Range
- 2.5 – 250 hp
- Fuel / Power
- 4-stroke gasoline (historic TLDI direct-injection 2-strokes in some markets)
The Offer
Tohatsu has built outboards since 1956, when its 1.5 hp "OB" became Japan's first mass-produced outboard. Today it is the world's second-largest outboard manufacturer and the OEM behind a large share of Mercury's small-block motors. The MFS four-stroke range runs from 2.5 hp portables up to a 250 hp four-stroke, and the brand is known for light, simple, dependable engines that are easy to service.
Abridged History
- Founded in 1922 as the Takata Motor Research Institute (later Tokyo Hatsudoki), the company entered marine in 1956 with the 1.5 hp "OB" — Japan's first mass-produced outboard — and adopted the Tohatsu Corporation name in 1972.
- In 1988 Tohatsu formed a joint venture, Tohatsu Marine Corporation, with Brunswick (Mercury) — and to this day builds many of Mercury's smaller (roughly 4–30 hp) outboards.
- Over the years it has supplied engines to other brands too, including Nissan Marine (discontinued 2014) and smaller Evinrude and Honda models.
Product Lines (4 families)
Signature Technology
- +MFS four-stroke platform shared with Mercury small-blocks
- +Light, simple, easy-to-service portables
- +Historic TLDI (Two-stroke Low-pressure Direct Injection)
Heritage
A century-old Japanese engine maker (since 1922) that became the world's second-largest outboard producer. Its biggest industry role is as an OEM supplier — many small motors wearing other brands' badges are built by Tohatsu.
Company at a Glance
- Stock / Ticker
- Privately held
- Employees
- Not publicly disclosed
- Annual Revenue
- Not publicly disclosed (privately held company)
- Manufacturing
- Japan plus China and Thailand
- Key Plant Locations
- Komagane City, Nagano, Japan (higher-hp) • Zhuhai, China and Ayutthaya, Thailand (lower/mid-hp)
- U.S. Presence
- Sold and serviced in the U.S. through Tohatsu America Corp and an independent marine dealer network; many Tohatsu-built small motors also reach U.S. buyers wearing the Mercury badge.
Tohatsu Corporation is privately held and does not publish detailed financials, so no reliable revenue figure is published. It is widely reported as the world's second-largest outboard producer by volume. Figures are point-in-time snapshots from company filings for the year shown; stock price and market value change daily — check the ticker for live pricing.
What Tohatsu Is Famous For
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.
Where Tohatsu Shines 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.
Dealers & Service
Tohatsu is sold and serviced in the U.S. through Tohatsu America Corp and independent marine dealers. Because Tohatsu builds many small Mercury motors, parts and service knowledge for those designs are unusually widespread. Tohatsu does not publish technician head-counts.
Best For
Buyers who want a light, dependable, easy-to-service portable or mid-range outboard from a proven OEM builder.
- ✓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 Tohatsu Outboards For Sale
Official Tohatsu Links
External links open in a new window.