I can't say I agree with much of your perspective. Bobcat was spun off of the Ingersol Rand Corporation, the parent company of Eaton, Thermo-King and many others, to the Doosan Group some years ago. Doosan first approached Kubota with the intent of marketing a compact tractor since they'd been around for a hundred years and made the engines for the Bobcat line of skid steers. Kubota advised that only they sell their tractors and it was at that junction that the new South Korean owners advised their Japanese counterparts they might stop using their engines and Kubota advised they might build a skid steer.
It was then that Doosan approached Daedong, an agricultural equipment manufacturer with over half a century experience, with the same offer. Kioti tractors, at the time, were recognized as an alternative option for a versatile tractor yet lacking a network of support facilities, which seemed to justify their economy pricing. If you were looking at a Chinese Jinma 254, the Kioti LB1914 was a better way to go. It was said to be approaching Kubota quality at a fraction of the cost. In the early 2000's there was a guy in Arkansas that sold the LB1914, a loader, a rotary cutter and a tandem axle trailer all for about $10k.
It was about that time that Kubota and Kioti began aggressively pushing hydrostatic drives and new rounded corner designs. A nice move away from the esthetics of the typical box like appearances of tired tractor designs. Noticeably, a complaint was filed with the United States District Court in Fresno, Calif., on August 19, 2002 by Kubota with Daedong as the plaintiff accusing the latter of hood design and color infringement upon Kubota's trademark design. Seemingly this law suit came and went with no effect on the up and coming rival.
At about the same time the Bobcat branded version entered the marketplace, independent Kioti dealerships began sprouting up all over North America signifying they were here to stay and unfortunately that eliminated the price spread that earlier, signified the opportune time for the small farmer or estate to purchase. However, these two outlets of support will only add to the longevity and value of these machines. I spoke a year or so ago to a large ag dealer that flipped from carrying Kioti to Kubota for their well known name and market presence. Yet their head of service told me through the grapevine that in more ways than one the Kioti were a superior quality tractor.
I have a 2010 CT235 which is essentially a Kioti CK35. The difference, for whatever marketing reason, is minimal at best. They are, essentially, the same tractor. Albeit, you cannot beat that upgraded Bobcat seat! Personally, I've experienced no issues outside of typical maintenance, recognizing that mine is a light use estate tractor with only 430 hours. Yet mine isn't babied. I have the backhoe, seeing it dig effortlessly to the maximum depth in 80% clay muck when the saddle valve on my well line corroded away. These aren't lightweight units to be underestimated nor lacking in quality in any way, in my opinion. As for resale, when my knees begin to go and the times dictate a less robust existence, I guess I'll find out.
That's my two cents.
