<font color="red"> ( Duane, I have no idea. )
You have no idea about the question but wrote a thesis about something other than the question. </font>
Well actually I tried to answer some of your question from the other perspective of what other companies do in terms of market share.
<font color="purple"> ( New Holland sells more farm equipement than any other brand )
Did I post my question in the wrong forum? I thought this was in the Branson/Century/Zetor forum. If I had a question about those other tractors numbers i would have gone to the specific forum for those numbers. </font>
Again, for the sake of illustration, I gave several examples of what others claim as an attempt to try to show how numbers can be manipulated. Just as NH may be the worlds largest, they use that in their marketing in the US where they are NOT the largest.
<font color="red"> ( "growth" % are doubly misleading because if someone sells 100 tractors one year and 1000 the next year, then they have a phenominal growth rate)
Yes, but all new companies are evaluated off of their growth. You have to start somewhere. </font>
Actually no, companies are not evaluated on their growth so much as their absolute market share. Market share is far more meaningful. And marketshare changes from year to year are a better indication of real growth than absolute units or % of units grown, largely becuase as a market expands, it can easily expand faster than an individual company.
<font color="purple"> ( by combining Branson numbers and Century numbers )
Did I say to combine the numbers? Did I put Branson+Century+Zetor. NO. </font>
Technically you did not say it, but I believe it was implied by the way you posted it: Re: Branson/Century/Zetor sales numbers?
<font color="red"> ( There are lots of stories about dealers that don't have full service centers and minimal or no parts departments)
How does this in any way pertain to a specific question about the number of tractors sold by Branson/Century/Zetor?
I think if people saw the amount of increase in sales of these brands their would be less "cold feet" when it comes to buying these tractors concerning long-term support.
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It is quite simple actually. All minor brands, including Branson/Century/Zetor, are far more suseptible to being sold by small dealers that have less developed local reputations, parts departments and service departments. Your original post asked a simple question which pertained to people getting "cold feet" about purchasing these brands, and how the sales numbers (% of increase) might show people that they don't have to be afraid about long term support. But the reality is most people don't see those numbers, what they do see is their local dealer. And the quality and reputation of the local dealer is what will give either re-assurance or "cold feet" to many potential buyers. Just like Branson was picked up in my area by a long term very reputible dealership, it could have been picked up by a guy looking to sell tractors to make a quick buck. The reputation and quality of the dealership go a long way to reduce the "cold feet" aspect of the brand by instilling a natural aura of confidence, or lack there of -- depending on the dealer.
On a slightly different note, I am not sure what I did to apparently offend you by the answers I provided. I never spoke badly about the brand or its quality, I mearly provided some answers (though not the specific sales numbers). From my background in marketing and business I tried to provide some pertanant information as to how companies are percieved. And how a company, and its products are perceived, are going to more directly reduce the "cold feet" factor than any number that any company can post. That is why I mentioned that in my area the most respected AG tractor dealer picked up the Branson and how that alone will affect people's perception of the brand. If it was no good, they would not have picked up the brand . . . or so people will believe.
