Is it just me or has Kioti products really taken off?

[IslandTractor]

What happened to Kioti's future in this area? What WAS a promising future is now trying to outrun a bad reputation. No dealer, no service. No service, no parts. No parts, no one wants to spend their bucks on 'em.

This situation is in no way a reflection on quality of product. It IS a reflection on the dealer who was here and is perceived as a reflection on the company policies for selecting dealers. .

I think that is the biggest issue for Kioti right now. It doesn't actually reflect so much on current Kioti dealership policies but rather the bad fruit of past policies where they allowed too many mom and pop general outdoor power equipment companies to become dealers as sort of a sideline business. Kioti, as I understand it, is now trying to force these shops to either up the ante and become real tractor dealerships or get out. I am sure that is a rocky road in the current economy.

I actually chose to use a dealer 300 miles away based on my familiarity with the dealer via TBN. I haven't had any trouble that couldn't be handled by sending me supplies and parts via UPS and I have found the dealer and his mechanics to be very willing to guide me through diagnostics (even with me on the cell phone on my back under the tractor with a multimeter!). Bottom line for me is that I definitely need a good dealer but I don't really need one next door.

 

[IslandTractor]

One an interesting note, I pretty well drive whatever I want to drive and I may very well buy a Hyundai Genesis next time around. Of course, I'll play it relatively safe and buy one coming off of a one year lease, but it's very possible that I'll go from my Lexus, Infinity, and Acura vehicles to a Hyundai. How 'bout dem apples?!

We think alike. I took a new Genesis for a test drive and was mightly impressed. I didn't do the deal as I cannot decide whether to give up on an SUV as my all purpose primary car but that Genesis was not only a fine vehicle but a hellofadeal. If they depreciate at the same or greater rate as Toyota then they will be a steal with one or two years on them coming off lease. And, I'd be going from an MB to a Hyundai.

 

[John Dan]

Sounds like Kioti has made impression, I suggest some of the information about Kioti is not correct, like their having the best warranty. TYM not Kioti has the best warranty, TYM's warranty is for 5 years which I believe tops 4 years. As for 90hp high quality tractors I suggest that you go to TYM's web site The official TYM Tractors Web site and check out their T903 and T1003 full featured tractors or for those that do want all of the electronic both models are offered in versions with less electronic to give the customer the choice, O YES and both T903's cost lest that the Kioti.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

O YES and both T903's cost lest that the Kioti.

Somthing will always cost less. If all your concerned about is price then go buy a FarmPro boat ancher. The market will always have a few price shoppers, but there has never been enough to sustain the companies trying sell that way. On a wholesale basis the cost difference between a premier tractor and a value brand is really not much more than 10%, peoples experience where they seem to think they saved huge sums are being caused by varying markups at the dealer level.

 

[OrangeGuy]

Is it just me or has Kioti products really taken off?

I believe the answer is no! If Kioti was successfully achieving marketshare at the expense of the first tier manufacturers (Kubota, JD and New Holland), they would not have signed a distribution agreement with Bobcat. As was said earlier, it takes a first class dealer network to become a first tier manufacturer/distributor. Kubota, JD and New Holland each have an extensive dealer network. It would be highly unlikely that Kioti or any other second tier manufacturer would displace any of the top three at a dealership. Consequently, Kioti and others have to work with dealer networks/independents with far less capabilities then that of the big three.

By aligning with Bobcat, Kioti is hoping to find a strong dealer network not strongly affiliated with Kubota, JD or New Holland. My Kubota dealer is not only one of the country's largest, but is also one of the country's largest Bobcat dealers. The question is...are there enough Bobcat dealers who are not strongly aligned with Kubota, JD or New Holland to make Kioti's alliance with Bobcat a successful one. Bobcat has in the past ventured into trenchers, small TLBs, and small articulate loaders without success. Time will tell if this new venture into compact tractors will be one of their many successes.

When I mention first tier/second tier manufacturers, I am not talking about quality-just their distribution networks.

OrangeGuy

 

[di2hunt]

Thought I'd get my two cents in here. Hope no one minds. I bought a Kioti and really like it. I bought it with 18 hrs on it because the guy that bought it new went out of business. Since buying the tractor, our local dealer had the chance to get a kubota dealership. He went for it. Can you blame him? He is still doing warrenty work on Kioti until a new dealership comes into the picture but the other orange is selling well for him. I liked both tractors but liked the kioti more. I guess that makes me a 2nd tier guy. I will still use this dealer for parts for my old MHF50 but I will be looking forward to getting a new Kioti man. I thought about switching brands but just can't do it.

 

[Hoosier Hay Man]

I understand that dealer network is important but won't keep you in business even if you have one. Toyota and Honda has fewer dealers than GM, Ford and Chrysler who are dumping many of them. IH and Allis-Chalmers had a great dealer network and both companies had to sell or merge with some else to survive. Now the Tier one dealers are consolidating ownership. They are trying to cut back on the number of dealerships in some cases. Lees competing dealers among same brands.

If you have a problem with a consolidated tier one dealer you may have to travel out of state in some cases if you like the brand but want to change dealers.
The main thing going for Kioti is they make a quality product, excellent fit and finish, and ease of operation. They seem to have right priced product. I would not hestitate to own one. If Kioti is in it for the long haul and has practiced sound bookeeping they will be around. The dealers who deserve to survive will and some quality dealers will step up to the plate and take on a Kioti dealership.

Now if I could just get some of my old iron sold I can buy that new Kioti DK55 with FEL. I really want one bad!

 

[IslandTractor]

I understand that dealer network is important but won't keep you in business even if you have one. Toyota and Honda has fewer dealers than GM, Ford and Chrysler who are dumping many of them. IH and Allis-Chalmers had a great dealer network and both companies had to sell or merge with some else to survive. Now the Tier one dealers are consolidating ownership. They are trying to cut back on the number of dealerships in some cases. Lees competing dealers among same brands.

If you have a problem with a consolidated tier one dealer you may have to travel out of state in some cases if you like the brand but want to change dealers.
The main thing going for Kioti is they make a quality product, excellent fit and finish, and ease of operation. They seem to have right priced product. I would not hestitate to own one. If Kioti is in it for the long haul and has practiced sound bookeeping they will be around. The dealers who deserve to survive will and some quality dealers will step up to the plate and take on a Kioti dealership.

Now if I could just get some of my old iron sold I can buy that new Kioti DK55 with FEL. I really want one bad!

To add to your post, I also find that in this era of internet, cell phones, digital cameras and UPS, that it is not a great burden to have a dealer who is even hundreds of miles away so long as they are responsive. Yes, it would be convenient to have a Kioti dealer 5 miles away but I manage with a remote Kioti dealer who provides excellent support via phone, email and UPS which I supplement from a NH dealer ten miles away who stocks routine fluids, bolts, gizmos etc.

Kioti is pretty clearly in it for the long haul so their dealer network will develop beyond the mix of small side business dealers to full service dealers as the company grows. DK90s are not going to be sold by part time dealers and the range of product now produced by Kioti is broad enough that the company should attract more serious business people. So long as JK and Kubota continue to see themselves as premium priced products, there will be a nice niche for Kioti to expand into, especially in this economy.

 

[tractorhill]

Kioti is doing well for us, We been dealer sinc 1998 but You don,t get to top over night.
I think they are doing well for someone that nobody knew 10 year ago. as for the guy in Chesterfield, We be glad help out with any service work, We are in Central Va.

 

[di2hunt]

Hi Tractor Hill, I found you on the dealernet yesterday. I am looking forward to meeting you guys in person soon. I am thinking of moving up in size and need to get my but up there and check the new models out and see what is going on with the new tractors. Like I said, I wasn't shopping price when I bought this new tractor, I just really liked the tractor. When I looked at the two oranges from the back end, that sold me. Kioti was way more beefy looking from my perspective. Anyway, I will see you soon.