Can the Japanese or Indians build better tractors?

[PJSprog]

Yeah, that is the type of statistic I was wondering about?? How many two wheel Mahindras does it take to financially equal a JD9370R???

Unfortunately, there have been exactly zero real statistics presented here amongst the slew of suppositions. The fact is, none of us really know. And, even if we did, I'm not sure it would address the OP's question ... which I'm also still not sure about, and he's been absent from the conversation since starting it two days ago.

Any clarification as to what was the intent of the original question? Or, was it just meant to be some proverbial chum in the water? :confused3:

 

[jeff9366]

It's all about $.

Deere and Kubota are publicly traded companies. You can buy shares in either or both on the New York Stock Exchange, thereafter sharing in their profits.

The Boards of publicly traded companies have a FIDUCIARY DUTY to put the interests of their shareholders first.

When I find products I like and the companies producing the products are profitable, I buy shares in the companies.

 

[ovrszd]

Having spent much time in Asia throughout my working years, I can say that tractors similar to my little 29 year old 4x4 Ford (Shibaura) 1920 are the larger type tractors I ever saw.
Most are 2 wheel tractors in rice paddys, and on very small farms.
Then too, in South Asia, there are many of the 4 legged types ....known as .... water buffalo.

Yep, seen those.

Just for sake of discussion I went on JD's website and built a 9370R. Retail is $357,000. That's probably more than a few semi truck loads of the largest Mahindras sold in India.

 

[ovrszd]

Unfortunately, there have been exactly zero real statistics presented here amongst the slew of suppositions. The fact is, none of us really know. And, even if we did, I'm not sure it would address the OP's question ... which I'm also still not sure about, and he's been absent from the conversation since starting it two days ago.

Any clarification as to what was the intent of the original question? Or, was it just meant to be some proverbial chum in the water? :confused3:

I didn't read any underlying motive in the question. I simply looked at it as a subject of discussion. I think Neal with Messick's gave you the clearest answer.

 

[moriboy]

A company can build as good of a product as it chooses given enough time and money.

Clearly, Japan has many companies that can and do build some of the best products in the world. An Indian company could do the same, and probably will someday.
I don't think they are quite there yet.

 

[MF283]

My 07 John Deere was built in India, 700 hours later, no problems other than that defective cold start advance they had trouble with, electric stuff made for all brands, can't blame the manufacturer for that though.
Replaced the CSA for $40, other than routine maintenance, all is good.

Ronnie

 

[olPete]

Yep, seen those.

Just for sake of discussion I went on JD's website and built a 9370R. Retail is $357,000. That's probably more than a few semi truck loads of the largest Mahindras sold in India.

So which of those will have the most problems, is pretty straightforward.. UK sales figures are being thrown about on another forum I enjoy, has come to light that all the Kubota and JD utvs are counted as 'tractors' when it comes to sales figures.. hard to get a genuine statistic these days, especially on web forums
But if I understood the OP, I'd put money on the Japanese manufacturer having better tolerances, bearings, castings, electronics as they've been in the game long enough to get it right, and that's not knocking the other.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My 07 John Deere was built in India, 700 hours later, no problems other than that defective cold start advance they had trouble with, electric stuff made for all brands, can't blame the manufacturer for that though.
Replaced the CSA for $40, other than routine maintenance, all is good.

Ronnie

My Workmaster has been trouble free for the 9 months of ownership thus far. I would expect if any issues arise it would be EGR emissions related going forward but thus far everything is working fine. Italian engine, Indian tractor, who knows where the other parts are sourced. It's all about QC and manufacturing standards and tolerances. So far so good.

I remember back about 25 years ago when the furniture industry was in a drug induced craze to move manufacturing offshore some of the product arriving here was pathetic. Over the years the Chinese have improved to the point that you can get any level of quality per price point. One of the CFO's that I worked for sourced his crown molding for his new executive home from the Chinese. The molding came in different sizes ranging in lengths from 6" to 42". He had to source it locally.

 

[ovrszd]

I have no doubt they'll eventually improve. The speed of that improvement will be directly controlled by the corporation contracting the manufacturing. Sadly some of the American corporations have put a higher emphasis on production numbers than quality standards. It's the corporations fault not the factory.

 

[PJSprog]

While it seems easy to just "blame the corporations" all the time, I still maintain that it's ultimately up to the consumers and end users. As long as people are buying those products at that quality level, there's not much incentive for the corporations to change anything. They are only going to build what will sell. If consumers demand better quality and refuse to buy the lesser, then the corporations will have no choice but to build what will sell.

Unfortunately, I don't see that changing anytime soon. Most people shop based on price first.