We're not just talkin', we're walkin': We gave up our Kubota dealership to deal Kioti

[milkman636]

Reading through this thread reminds me of an event from my childhood. My dad bought a new Ford tractor from a little country tractor dealership that only stocked a few tractors. Forty years later, that same dealership is still in the same building, but under different ownership and selling Fiat owned NewHolland brand tractors. Their inventory can still be browsed entirely from your driver's side window as you pass by.

The Ford Motor Company built the brand making affordable tractors for average guys. Even though the Ford Company disowned the tractor operation and took their brand with them, parts and support still continue to be available today.

My little Bobcat CT335 was built by large Korean manufacturing company that offered me tremendous value for the price. If they continue to do that they'll be here for the long haul in at least one color.

 

[TripleR]

Right, I didn't think of the lawn mowers being included. I would like to see the number of CUT's on up, sold over a year or, 5 years.

TripleR...I have a lot respect for you. When it comes to tractors you show no bias what so ever. When I first bought my JD, the Green sent my pride right through the roof. Having owned it for a couple of years and being a member here, my bias has subsided, a little.

I dream of a new tractor all the time, mostly Green. But, right now, I look at Mahindra's as much as any other brand. Comparing costs can also push me to look at the "darkside" though I don't think Deere is always more money.

At any rate, there are many brands that offer features and quality that compare to Deere and Kubota and you are often the first to mention that.

The Deere that is posted above...I can't imagine being in that rig making the first pass on a 500 acre field. It is truly amazing what mankind has built in such a short span of time. And to think the Shuttle program is no longer a USA project, it makes me wonder where the private sector will take space exploration.??:confused2:

Sorry to hijack the thread....

Thanks for the compliments. A breakdown of CUTs and above within category sold in the US and Canada during the past five years would be interesting. The area in which I live is primarily Green, but before the Case/IH merger many years ago, there were a lot of red tractors. Our renters switched from red to green when their IH tractors started wearing out, but kept an old 1486 for sentimental reasons I guess.

In the past week, I have seen two big New Hollands with one actually driven by my house Wednesday.

In the CUT market, I am seeing more diversity too and expect it to accelerate. I think this is somewhat reflective of the auto industry. Hyundai and Kia use to be no more than a mere curiosity, but I sure see a lot of them out there now. Heck, my brother, a big Toyota fan, just bought one.

People who use to buy ONLY Ford/Chevy/Dodge trucks are driving Tundras.

With the advent of so many good machines and very competitive prices, brand loyalty just doesn't make much sense to me anymore and we will all benefit from companies like Kioti, Mahindra etc.

Now, I do have my own sentimental favorites I suppose, but I "try" not to let that influence my advice to others. I also realize that compared to a lot of other TBN members, my knowledge base is pretty shallow.

Now I think I may have wandered off topic, so good luck to the OP and his business.

 

[jonyyuma]

Let me throw this out too. I drove Chevy for 30 years, loyal to the bone, Three bad models ina row and bad fuel mileage pushed me to look elsewhere.I bought a 91 taurus, 96 toyota and 2001 Camry..They all served me well, but yes they need regular parts and attention. I helped my wife pick-out a 2010 Hyundai, so we could drive 70 miles a day and not be strangled for gas. I have been very impressed by the quality and fit and finish. this company had loads of problems years ago. They have it settled out now and a Honest 30 mpg average might keep me with them.I own Kubota as i wanted a good rig, I did like the Mahindra a whole lot, they are brand new here, and coming on strong. I simply did not have the money for new. I still have Not seen the kioti.

 

[Don87]

Last I heard, Kubota's share is up an average of 3-4% nationwide. Its in the low to mid 50's under 50 PTO Hp. If anyone is loosing share, its been New Holland in this transition to LS. Not trying to brand bash here, but Kioti,Bobcat, Mahindra, Cub/Yanmar, LS, etc have a combined market share thats around 10-15%. Deere, Kubota and New Holland continue to make up 85-90% of this business, its been that way for a long time and I personally don't see huge market forces that are going to change that much. (maybe Bobcat, depending on their long term commitment to the product)

Your about to see a press release from Kubota that we just sold their 1.5 million'th tractor, the 1 million mark was almost exactly 5 years ago, thats 100,000+- tractors a year. You can find the production & exports of many of the other small companies by looking at their stock reports.

I guess I'm in the 'etc'?

 

[jake98]

You don't think it's a problem having a large motorcycle dealership with, as you say, 15 or 20 Kiotis outside that looks like a sideline?

I don't, when they're the size of Rusty Palmer's operation. I think, anymore, people go where they think they're getting a good product at the right price, and for as many folks as not, that doesn't necessarily mean a dedicated tractor store. (for a CUT anyway) Where do you go for a log splitter?

Your kidding right???
We have done more in Kioti parts business since they took on Kioti than they could even think to do in a combined 5 years!
We have sold more Bobcats in 2 months than they did all last year.
Sorry but put a product like Kioti in a motorcycle store, did Kioti no justice.

I was just trying to point out that their presence is not diminishing around here. And with you selling white ones on the other side of the county, their overall presence is greater, I would think. I don't have a crystal ball, but I'd bet that RP will do good with the line. According to the mechanic you loaned me, Kioti's training is top notch, and who better to soak all it in than somebody that can already work on Jap bikes..
If our economy survives and then recovers it'll be good. Marshall Machinery, up the hill, has to be the one sweating it, but they don't get any pity from me.. they stole Kioti's colors.

 

[jinman]

Your about to see a press release from Kubota that we just sold their 1.5 million'th tractor, the 1 million mark was almost exactly 5 years ago, thats 100,000+- tractors a year. You can find the production & exports of many of the other small companies by looking at their stock reports.

So, does Kubota give you a platinum tractor to hang on the wall when you sell a million? If they did it like record companies, you'd have two gold tractors and a plantinum with 1.5 million sales. . . not much room left in the office.

 

[crazyal]

I don't, when they're the size of Rusty Palmer's operation. I think, anymore, people go where they think they're getting a good product at the right price, and for as many folks as not, that doesn't necessarily mean a dedicated tractor store. (for a CUT anyway) Where do you go for a log splitter?

I agree people are not going to the dedicated stores like they once did. It use to be you bought a TV from a TV store, a dishwasher from an appliance store, etc. At the same time you would bring your TV back to those same stores to have service work done. Now of course big box stores have taken over. I bought my log splitter from Lowes. Tha warranty was simple, it breaks I bring it back and get my money back or another. Now it's out of warranty I will repair it myself and buy all parts from the internet or a small engine shop (something that's not easy to find anymore).

So let me ask, would you buy a Kia or Hyundai from a large motorcycle dealership that had a few new ones off to the side, looked like they were set up to have motorcycle mechanics to do the service work? I think a car is a closer comparison to a tractor than a log splitter.

Every part of the country is different and everybody thinks differently. That dealership may work great, they may sell lots of tractors. All I know is what I like to see when spending tens of thousands of dollars.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Anyones kubota dealer sell another brand of tractor?

 

[bullbreaker]

Anyones kubota dealer sell another brand of tractor?

Our local Bota dealer in Ft.Myers Fla,used to years ago sell Kioti's and New Holland along with Bota's(believe it or not).
Now they sell Bota's,New Holland, and recently took on"Mahindra".
Along,long time ago they originally started out as a Ford tractor dealership.

Boone

 

[foreman Etexas]

Our local Bota dealer in Ft.Myers Fla,used to years ago sell Kioti's and New Holland along with Bota's(believe it or not).
Now they sell Bota's,New Holland, and recently took on"Mahindra".
Along,long time ago they originally started out as a Ford tractor dealership.

Boone

Thats a one stop shop!!