Not sure about all auto parts stores, but I don't think too many of them manufacture the filters they sell either. You may want to check the "made in ..." notes on the box.
I don't think I said anything about where the filters were manufactured? But I did ask if buying from local businesses, (that may be run by local folk, might keep some of the $ local). I'm fully aware of where virtually everything today is manufactured, and its not here in the states; whether it is/was the Bosch or Mann oil filters I sold for my foreign auto repair/sales store, or the Gislaved tyres from Sweden, etc., I've been around the filter and parts business for many years.
I still don't see how not buying a Kioti filter from a selling dealer is not supporting the dealer. ALL the work needing to be done under warranty is pretty much guaranteed to go to the dealer, along with all specialized, made by Kioti parts and accessories.
By buying a Kioti am I obligated to bring/send/take all my business to my dealer?
In the interests of full disclosure: I purchased one of MIE's backhoe thumb's from them because I liked it better than other ones available on the market, INCLUDING what my local selling dealer had to offer. However, I did buy a Kioti KB2485 hoe from my selling dealer though, I could just as easily bought a Woods or some other brand.
In fact, when I bought the first of two Kioti tractors from my selling dealer, both in less than a year's time frame, I did not even look at any comparable tractor manufacturer.
Turns out I'd never heard of a Kioti and thought my selling dealer was a Kubota dealer when I drove into his lot. When I drove out I had purchased a DK-35se/hst brand new with a KIOTI backhoe. I went back and bought my as yet unused box-blade off his lot and a pallet fork set too.
What I don't like is
anyone implying that if I or some other tractor owner doesn't buy every little thing, like an oil filter, from our selling dealer, then we are being disloyal to our dealer. I doubt very much Kioti makes their own filters, and even if they do, there are LOTS of other quality brands out there that will do just as good a job.
