On 1 August 2025, Brose Antriebstechnik GmbH & Co. KG transitioned to the newly named Yamaha Motor eBike Systems GmbH. We all know that a change like this, with Brose’s ebike division moving under the Yamaha umbrella, takes more than just a few signatures on a contract. Now, most of the reorganisation seems to be done. At least Yamaha has announced who will be at the helm of Yamaha Motor eBike Systems GmbH in the future. And this job is going to a woman.
Female expertise leading to success
Yuki Doi is the name of the new managing director. With this choice of personnel, Yamaha clearly stands out from the bicycle industry. Just last year, Women in Cycling presented a study showing that only 30 percent of all top management positions in companies in the bicycle industry in Germany are held by women. Among the better-known women who have made it to this level are Sandra Wolf, managing partner at ebike manufacturer Riese & Müller, Andrea Kurz, managing director of leasing provider Jobrad, and Antje von Dewitz, managing director at Vaude.
Before moving to Berlin, Yuki Doi was responsible for global human resources management. However, she spent most of her time in corporate planning for Yamaha’s marine segment. In her new position, Doi coordinates the manufacturer’s pan-European ebike business jointly with the Amsterdam-based team at Yamaha Motor Europe.
Deputies bring perspectives from Asia and Europe
Yuki Doi is supported in her role by the two deputy managing directors, Naoya Igo and Daniel Wolde-Giorgis. Naoya Igo will be responsible for further developing sales and marketing at Yamaha Motor eBike Systems GmbH. Another part of his job description is to manage the merger and overcome the challenges that automatically arise when restructuring a global company of this size. Born in Tokyo, he will be helped in this task by the fact that he has been involved with ebike products at Yamaha for ten years and, as general manager, has helped determine the strategic direction of this business area.
Daniel Wolde-Giorgis completes the trio at the helm of Yamaha Motor eBike Systems. After years as head of Brose’s ebike business, the doctor of physics will now focus on research and development as well as operational business activities. With his extensive knowledge of both the company’s products and the local workforce, he is likely to be an important link in the exchange with the new owner, Yamaha. Daniel Wolde-Giorgis is considered a proven expert in the ebike business, not least because of his many years of service at Bosch at the beginning of his career.
Former head of Waldbike strengthens sales and marketing
The name Jan Jochens is likely to be less well known in the industry, at least internationally. Until late summer 2025, he was still head of ebike manufacturer Waldbike. Now he is joining the Yamaha team at its headquarters in Berlin. From 1 February 2026, he will take over the operational management of sales and marketing. The position had become vacant following the departure of Alexander Baumann. Jan Jochens will probably not need a long induction period. After all, he already became closely acquainted with Brose’s ebike systems at Waldbike and was involved in the upcoming integration of the Qore drive into Waldbike models.
‘We are delighted to announce the appointment of Naoya Igo as deputy managing director, overseeing sales and marketing,’ says Yuki Doi. ‘At the operational level, he will be supported by Jan Jochens, who was our first choice for this position after a long and trusting collaboration with Waldbike. With their in-depth industry knowledge and proven leadership skills, both will play a key role in strengthening our position in the ebike market and driving sustainable growth.”
Pictures: Yamaha Motor eBike Systems GmbH