Delek Motors to Import Kawasaki Motorcycles to Israel
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Delek Motors will become the official distributor for Kawasaki motorcycles in Israel under a six-year agreement with Kawasaki's European division. This move follows a legal decision requiring Metro Motor, the previous importer, to relinquish the Kawasaki franchise due to competition concerns. In 2025, Kawasaki sold 672 motorcycles in Israel, ranking fifth in the market.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Delek Motors will import Kawasaki motorcycles to Israel under a six-year agreement.
- The Ministry of Transportation's final approval is required for the distributorship.
- Metro Motor previously held the Kawasaki franchise but was forced to give it up.
- Antitrust concerns led to Metro relinquishing either Kawasaki or Yamaha.
- Kawasaki sold 672 motorcycles in Israel in 2025.
Delek Motors, already a known importer of Mazda, Ford, and BMW vehicles, will begin importing Kawasaki motorcycles to Israel, the company announced to the stock exchange. Delek Motors' intention to become the Kawasaki importer was first reported several months ago. According to the company's statement, it will serve as the official distributor in Israel for Kawasaki products, which include motorcycles, electric and hybrid models, spare parts, and original accessories, such as apparel and related items. The agreement, signed with Kawasaki's European division, is for a six-year term. Delek Motors clarified that, in line with Israeli automotive industry practices, it will not be the exclusive importer. Final approval for the distributorship is contingent on the Ministry of Transportation.
In 2025, a total of 22,318 scooters and motorcycles were delivered in Israel, according to data from the Union of Two-Wheeled Vehicle Importers. San Yang led the market with 4,813 deliveries, followed by Honda with 4,336, and Yamaha with 3,851. Kawasaki recorded 672 deliveries in the same year. Previously, Metro Motor held the import franchise for Kawasaki in Israel for many years. In February 2023, the Antitrust Commissioner was asked to provide an opinion on Kawasaki and Yamaha, both distributed by Metro. The commissioner's opinion stated that these two brands held a combined 40% market share between 2020 and 2022, leading to a recommendation that the Ministry of Transportation require Metro to relinquish one of the competing brands. Following legal proceedings, it was determined that Metro would indeed have to give up the Kawasaki franchise.