bp fick
Super Member
One last thought, then I'll just leave it alone.
LS, like the other Korean manufacturers, will have to face the need, eventually, of having a presence in the US, for manufacturing, even if it is somewhere between manufacturing and extensive final assembly.
The Japanese are really hurting over their yen valuation, I guess, among other issues in exporting. Toyota and Honda have slowly but surely brought the majority of their manufacturing here to the US and Hyundai/Kia is following suit.
This likely also explains Kubota increasing their US facilities as well.
On the dealership front, LS can only make it happen so fast, but there is likely only one LS dealer for every 10 Kubota and Deere dealerships. The facilities, garages, showroom, parts displays, and inventory? Not much comparison. That reality will have to change as well. It is going to prove extremely hard to increase market share to any appreciable level without an enormous improvement in dealer network, both in quality and quantity.
I'd have to drive past 4 Deere dealers and 3 Kubota dealerships to get to the one and only LS dealer I even know of. There is no comparison in the presentation or "curb appeal" between them either. That's a place of major improvement required.
Finally, improve the web presence and website. Sorry, but it just isn't there yet. All of which to say is that this all takes time. The other "Big Boys" have a big lead on them. Nobody expects over-night miracles, just consistent, steady progress. I'm reasonably confident that 5 years out? We'll see what they do. I hope so. Competition is good. A rising tide lifts all boats.
LS, like the other Korean manufacturers, will have to face the need, eventually, of having a presence in the US, for manufacturing, even if it is somewhere between manufacturing and extensive final assembly.
The Japanese are really hurting over their yen valuation, I guess, among other issues in exporting. Toyota and Honda have slowly but surely brought the majority of their manufacturing here to the US and Hyundai/Kia is following suit.
This likely also explains Kubota increasing their US facilities as well.
On the dealership front, LS can only make it happen so fast, but there is likely only one LS dealer for every 10 Kubota and Deere dealerships. The facilities, garages, showroom, parts displays, and inventory? Not much comparison. That reality will have to change as well. It is going to prove extremely hard to increase market share to any appreciable level without an enormous improvement in dealer network, both in quality and quantity.
I'd have to drive past 4 Deere dealers and 3 Kubota dealerships to get to the one and only LS dealer I even know of. There is no comparison in the presentation or "curb appeal" between them either. That's a place of major improvement required.
Finally, improve the web presence and website. Sorry, but it just isn't there yet. All of which to say is that this all takes time. The other "Big Boys" have a big lead on them. Nobody expects over-night miracles, just consistent, steady progress. I'm reasonably confident that 5 years out? We'll see what they do. I hope so. Competition is good. A rising tide lifts all boats.
