Delek Motors Secures Kawasaki Motorcycle Franchise in Israel

Delek Motors, a subsidiary of Delek Vehicle, has signed a franchise agreement to import, market, and service Kawasaki motorcycles in Israel. The brand's operations will be centralized in a new 800-square-meter showroom and service center in Holon, designed to meet global Kawasaki standards. This includes sales, equipment display, accessories, and a central garage.

Shachar Shemesh, CEO of Delek Motors, expressed gratitude to the global Kawasaki corporation for choosing Delek Motors among many competing groups. He noted the growing two-wheeled vehicle market in Israel, anticipating a record year and stating that Kawasaki's addition will allow them to cater to all segments and price points for Israeli riders.

The franchise transfer is the result of a lengthy regulatory and legal process. For decades, Kawasaki was imported by Metro Motor, which also held the Yamaha franchise. This dual ownership of two major competing motorcycle brands by a single importer attracted the attention of the Israel Competition Authority.

Under the law to promote competition, the Ministry of Transport must consult the Competition Authority before renewing import licenses for dominant importers. The Authority determined that one entity holding both leading brands stifled inter-brand competition and could prevent new players from entering the market. Consequently, in 2022, the Ministry of Transport informed Metro Motor it would need to relinquish one brand, a decision reaffirmed in 2024 after an appeal.

Metro Motor appealed to the Administrative Court and subsequently the Supreme Court. In March 2026, the Supreme Court, with Deputy President Noam Sohlberg and Justices David Mintz and Yechiel Kasher, rejected Metro Motor's appeal, upholding the Ministry of Transport's decision based on the Competition Authority's professional assessments. Metro Motor chose to retain the Yamaha franchise, which also produces scooters, and consequently gave up the Kawasaki motorcycle license.

Kawasaki, a major Japanese motorcycle manufacturer since 1962, is known for iconic models like the Z1 and Ninja series. In Israel, the brand has been sold by Metro Motor since 1994, covering various categories from street and sport bikes to motocross. In 2025, Kawasaki sold 672 units in Israel, a slight decrease from 2024, representing about 3% of the total two-wheeled market. This places Kawasaki fifth in sales volume in Israel, behind brands like SYM, Honda, Yamaha, and Kymco, but ahead of competitors such as KTM, BMW, and Piaggio.