</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Just think of all the guys that gambled on Kubota so you could safely buy one today as one of the Big Three. )</font>
It is a stretch at best to compare what Kubota went through in the past three decades in the US to what faces companies like Montana, Kioti, etc...
First of all I want to make it clear that I hope they all survive and do well. Having several choices and competition is good for the consumer.
In the 1970's when Kubota was really beginning to branch out in the US: there was no other significant market share player selling compact 4 wheel drive diesel tractors.
Now in 2005 there are companies with great reputations like Deere, NH, Kubota, etc... that have overwhelming market share. Not to mention, good quality, nationwide service net work, established dealers, full product lines, and stability.
The reason I don't think that it is fair to compare the "new" brands today with Kubota in the 1970's is that the "new" brands are coming into a market that is already saturated and has excess capacity. It is extremely difficult to gain market share and long term stability when price is the main tool used to do it.
When Kubota gained market share in the 1970's and 80's the competition didn't have a significant offering of compact 4WD diesels. They gained market share by innovation and differentiating them selves from the pack.