Not sure I am following your point here. ??
As you say, many companies 'farm out' specialty items of their product. The relationship between Mitsubishi and Kawasaki is exactly that; Mitsubishi has expended the time and money to develop and manufacture a security system called 'MISTY', and Kawasaki buys it and installs it on C-14' as part, the major part, of KiPass. Exactly as they used to use Mukini (sp?) carburetors, as Honda used Kehlin (sp?) carburetors on each of their motorcycles respectively. And exactly as it is almost certain that Kawasaki uses Denso (or another major Japanese fuel injector manufacturer) fuel injectors on their bikes.
The motorcycle industry is a very small portion of the entire vehicular market worldwide, as it is in Japan. Surely it makes sense for a motorcycle manufacturer to 'piggy back' on well developed and inexpensive (per unit, after R&D, tooling, etc.) parts from the automotive industry.
So again, I am just not understanding your point or your question. ??
Brian
I've done several google searches, but I can't seem to be able to find the answer. Why would Kawasaki use Mitsubishi parts on their motorcycles? There doesn't seem to be a connection between the two companies that I can find. It isn't like Kawasaki couldn't manufacture and produce its own parts. As far as I know, other Japanese motorcycle companies don't outsource major engine parts like Kawasaki does. To me, it would be about like Harley Davidson using heads manufactured by Ford on thier bikes. First, why would HD want to? Second, how would it be profitable for Ford to do it? (You can substitute Kawasaki and Mitsubishi into the same questions) with such small production numbers of C14's being made, it doesn't seem like it would be worth the tooling for another company to make the parts.
I understand outsourcing components like sensors, ECU's and other electronics, fuel pumps, injectors, throttle bodies, etc. lots of companies do that. Most of those parts have applications in many vehicles. It make sense to out source them vs producing your own one off units for such a small production run. But not major engine parts like the variable valve system. I doubt the valve system in the C14 is being used in other vehicles, motors.
Anyone have any insight?