BMF - British Marine Federation

01/19/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/19/2026 06:55

Excellence and innovation at sea: Honda Marine and Zar Formenti sign a major partnership for the new Naxos brand

19 January 2026

Honda Marine, a global leader in outboard engine technology, and the historic shipyard Zar Formenti, are pleased to announce a strategic partnership for the launch of Naxos: the new RIB brand that blends the manufacturing excellence of the Lombardy-based company with a prestigious design signed exclusively by Carlos Vidal.


The agreement stipulates that the new Naxos range, specifically for those units featuring factory-installed pre-rigging systems, will be powered by Honda Marine outboards. This collaboration, active from the production stages, ensures the end customer receives a perfectly balanced "turn-key" product. Detailed performance data resulting from this synergy will be available in the performance bulletins on the official Honda Marine website.

The new brand debuts with two models: the NAXOS 19 and the NAXOS 23. Both stand out for their understated and elegant aesthetics, designed to inspire those new to boating without compromising on the manufacturing excellence that has defined every shipyard creation for over forty years.

European Synergy and Co-Marketing: The partnership extends beyond technical supply to a shared commercial vision on a European scale. The objective is to maximise market penetration by leveraging mutual sales networks and a series of coordinated co-marketing activities. Naxos-Honda packages will be at the heart of an integrated promotion featuring social media campaigns, exclusive events, and a joint presence at the most important international trade fairs.

Official Debut in Düsseldorf: The European stage chosen for the official presentation of this collaboration will be Boot Düsseldorf, scheduled from January 17 to 25, 2026. During the boat show, enthusiasts and industry professionals will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the first models of this alliance, which combines Zar Formenti's unmistakable style and build quality with the reliability and efficiency of Honda engines.

We are proud to link the Honda Marine name to an ambitious project such as Naxos. Zar Formenti's philosophy aligns perfectly with our pursuit of technical perfection. Together, we offer a package that represents the ideal synthesis of Italian design and cutting-edge engineering.

Francesco PichelliHead of Sales Europe at Honda Marine

With Naxos, we aim to reach a new audience while maintaining the core quality values that have made Zar world-renowned. Choosing Honda as our motorisation partner was a natural decision, based on shared extremely high-quality standards and an extensive service network across Europe.

Piero FormentiOwner at Zar Formenti
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