How did Kubota get such a large market share ?

[Industrial Toys]

I never liked Kubota. I thought of them as the Hyundai (sp?) of tractors. I always saw them with their faded orange paint and outdated styling sitting on dealers used lots.

Now, I have the utmost respect for Kubota. It might not have hurt them if they kept a little more of their earlier conservative nature rather then bowing to consumer/marketing demand. Time will tell.

Actually, back then, I would never have given the slightest thought to owning a Toyota either.

 

[sixdogs]

Everyone knows that Kubota recently entered into an ownership agreement/partnership with Kverneland, right? A part of that is Vicon. Kverneland makes the best plows in the world in that I think almost all of the last 50 plowing championships have been won by Kverneland. Vicon makes hay equipment and includes what I consider to be the best fertilizer spreader on the market. Kubota definitely buys the best.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Why can't they just be happy building the best tractors, engines and construction equipment in the world? Isn't their plate quite full already?

 

[sixdogs]

Why can't they just be happy building the best tractors, engines and construction equipment in the world? Isn't their plate quite full already?

They are building the same old tractors. Someone else is building the other stuff, arguably the best in it's class and Kubota has an ownership interest in that business. It's all good for a company looking to dominate the ag business. Their continued growth assures the survival of the company and the products we use. Nothing to fear here.

 

[Agvg]

This was plan B, Kubota wanted to buy a European tractor brand to get dealers and customer base.

 

[lamanated]

For me, they parts were much better priced than Deere, New tires and wheels for a BX were $400, the price on my BX was several thousand cheaper that Deere quoted. And the mechanics at work all said Kubota were better, and I looked at the Kioti and Mahindra and said not a chance..their maintenance and parts depts were smaller than my own at home...

 

[Threepoint]

Interesting how diverse the brand loyalties and perceptions of value are on TBN. And for the most part it's without rancor. I've been a Kubota guy since I bought my B2150HST in 1993, when it was the largest HST that Kubota offered, if I'm recalling correctly. Still have it, love it, constantly amazed at how well it is designed and how much work it can do for its size. Back in 1993, I think Kubota had been in the US market only about 20 yrs. So I took a chance on them. :laughing: They've continued to do a good job building their brand and market share here, and it's well-deserved. Two years ago I wanted to add a larger HST cab tractor in the 40-50 hp range to deal with heavier grading and snow removal. I was ready to go with either a Grand L 4060 or 4760. Then a buddy said take a look at the Kioti lineup. Well, I dunno, Kioti has been in the US market only about 20 yrs., so now they are a newcomer. But after taking a serious look at the NX series, and lots of research, I could no longer justify the premium Kubota was asking in my size range. And my wife actually preferred the Kioti cab interiors! So I took another chance and went with the new kid on a NX4510HST/cab. :laughing: Very happy with the decision thus far.

 

[ovrszd]

Why can't they just be happy building the best tractors, engines and construction equipment in the world? Isn't their plate quite full already?

No ethnic slander intended at all. Just being a smart mouth.

Why couldn't the Japanese just be happy living on their cute little Island?? Wasn't their plate quite full already??

The Japanese lean forward very hard. Much harder than us Americans. They have proved that in every product market in the U.S.

 

[Agvg]

Kubota have never been on the technological bleeding edge when it comes to tractors, very conservative and very typical Japanese choosing safe over the greatest and latest. Can be very interesting to see what they come up with in the next ten years.

 

[art]

Kubota have never been on the technological bleeding edge when it comes to tractors, very conservative and very typical Japanese choosing safe over the greatest and latest. Can be very interesting to see what they come up with in the next ten years.

Not to upset the apple cart but, they were the first to build a compact chassis commercial TLB and today still offer it in more sizes then anyone. They were the first to add a factory cab with heat and A/C for the L-series. They were also the first to offer one for the smaller chassis in the B-series! There are also many more offerings that they had first other then the first compact tractor line more then just assembled in America!