Originally a piano and organ manufacturer, the Japanese company Yamaha began in 1887. After WWII, the company would quickly pick up the pieces and reorganize after learning how to manufacture new products. By 1955 Yamaha created a separate company, Yamaha Motor Co., LTD, to produce motorcycles. The company became a competitor on the track and in American showrooms by the 60s and 70s with popular low-cost models. Yamaha tried its hand at automobiles during a 1989 collaboration with Ford by building the engines for the Taurus SHO sedan. Today the company enjoys racing success and continues with innovations that make them popular with consumers.