Bobcat, Doosan, Daedong & Kubota

[Maka]

I posted this in another section but want to see thoughts here.

So, we have a Kubota dealer in Kalispell who I compete with regularly. We are an ASV dealer and have about 20 machines in inventory and they are a Bobcat dealer who has about the same.

There is a large Doosan dealer about 20 minutes away in Columbia Falls. So, Doosan owns Bobcat, will use Daedong engines cutting out Kubota (if I understand correctly) then who will get the dealership? Will the Kubota dealer keep Bobcat with Daedong engines or will the Doosan dealer take over the dealer territoy. By the way the Doosan dealer has been primarily large excavators and not compact stuff but since Doosan has mini excavators and competes with Kubota on that level that that just really muddys the water.

Personally, I think this helps me to sell more ASV's and Daedong powered tractors. No matter which way it goes it will be good for our sales I think. Yipee!

Maka

 

[jmfox]

It is interesting for a Bobcat dealer to wake up one morning with a Korean wife. I'm not sure how the Korean's do business, but I don't think Bobcat will be building around Kubota engines anymore. As to franchise agreements, I suspect they will try to make it appear that Doosan and Bobcat are living separate and apart for awhile. After Doosan waters down the Bobcat name to the benefit of Doosan and Daedong, they may want to sell it off. Keeping the Bobcat package together will help preserve the brand for resale. As for ASV, "made in America" will distinguish your product.

jmf