First you have to question if the info from the Yanmar reps is correct. They don't always know what is really going on behind the scenes. I know that Deere has long term contracts (beyond 3 years) with the Yanmar subsidary, Kansaki, for transmissions. The life span of the current Yanmar models should be about over. Deere will continue to support them without question. It remains to be seen where the replacement models will be sourced or assembled. Deere management may not even know all of the answers yet....just that they are planning replacement models. Details usually evolve as the product does, and can change along the way. The one problem that Yanmar will have coming to this part of the world will be the distribution system. They don't have the distribution and support that Deere does (or they may work with Deere). Montana doesn't have the connection with LG that Deere does with Yanmar. Montana is set up by J.B. Hunt, the trucking company, and doesn't have the resources or agreements that Deere does.