OUR SINCERE APOLOGIES

[JoelD]

Here is my wild guess at what is going on.

Kioti has decided to drop the Kioti name and only sell under the bobcat name.

That's my guess, and I have absolutely nothing to go by other than bobcat dealers popping up, bobcat machines sold cheap and Kioti dealers dropping like flies.

I'm thinking Rick could see the writing on the wall. I can't imagine a more successful selling dealer than Rick, just common sense.

I'm wondering if I keep my machine or sell now??

Joel

 

[DavidNPro]

Here is my wild guess at what is going on.

Kioti has decided to drop the Kioti name and only sell under the bobcat name.

That's my guess, and I have absolutely nothing to go by other than bobcat dealers popping up, bobcat machines sold cheap and Kioti dealers dropping like flies.

I'm thinking Rick could see the writing on the wall. I can't imagine a more successful selling dealer than Rick, just common sense.

I'm wondering if I keep my machine or sell now??

Joel

Hmm...That is definitely and interesting possibility that I had not even thought about. Hopefully its not the case though, I have not even picked up my new Kioti from the dealer yet. If they do end up selling under only that name, I am not going to come out of this deal looking to good :confused2:.

 

[Hoosier Hay Man]

I think to put this in perspective a little. In my area Deere, CaseIH, Agco and New Holland have been consolidating and closing dealers at a pretty good clip for the last 5 years or so. Within an hour or less in all directions we have lost an Agco dealer (a statewide Caterpillar dealer took over his Agco line, they are also getting into the Kubota business), CaseIH dealership was closed (consolidation of all area Case IH dealers in the area under one owner), a Deere dealer consolidated with a larger dealer, Massey only dealer stop selling Massey just this year and a New Holland dealer swallowed up his fourth dealership. I have seen a Kubota dealership lost and than picked up by a NH dealer.
Deere has been pulling several small dealers franchise this past year.
Farm Equipment - Industry News Deere Drops Schmitt Implement in Iowa

[http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-buying-pricing/152432-another-deere-dealership-pulled.html

It is puzzling as Rick was a very well respected Kioti dealer and did a great job of promoting Kioti. I had correspondence with Rick on some issues when buying my Kioti, but I didn't base my decision soley with Rick, it was base on I liked the tractor and I liked the price. Kioti's were well built when Rick was a dealer and still are. There are other very good Kioti dealers across this country and some are on this forum. I am not sure we will ever know all of the reasons, but I still believe Kioti makes a good tractor and has a long term commitment to the North America market.
The John Deere in my shop came froma Deere dealership that closed some 15 years ago. I don't like my John Deere any less and have no intentions of selling it.
Definitly an ever changing business and world. I am going to enjoy my Kioti and look forward to the next one, maybe a 90hp DK90. You just can't have one!

 

[JohnfromPA]

Here is my wild guess at what is going on.

Kioti has decided to drop the Kioti name and only sell under the bobcat name.

That's my guess, and I have absolutely nothing to go by other than bobcat dealers popping up, bobcat machines sold cheap and Kioti dealers dropping like flies.

I'm thinking Rick could see the writing on the wall. I can't imagine a more successful selling dealer than Rick, just common sense.

I'm wondering if I keep my machine or sell now??

Joel

The same thought actually crossed my mind since we now have a local Bobcat dealer here that changed ownership and is now selling tractors.

 

[Hoosier Hay Man]

Interesting theory.It could be that Kioti is changing their marketing strategy a bit. Bobcat has quite a extensive marketing channel and dealers.

Our local Bobcat dealer chose to pickup Kubota instead of the Bobcat tractors. it is the choice of the dealer is what he told me and they went with a already established name in small tractors. What is interesting they also sell NH. They signs are now at seperate buildings. I think they are going to seperate the Kubota fnad Bobcat rom the NH. It is tough to go there and not leave with wanting to add another tractor to the barn!

I know the talk in tractor and implement business is Brand Purity. Dealers being pressured not to carry competing brands. Most of this has been the big full line companies. The shortline mfg will have a tough time of keeping their products at the full line dealerships in the coming years. Some have partnered by mfg and branding it for the large lines.

What ever happens it is probaly the cause and affects of this economy. It is tough to sell small tractors. I have seen the stats from under 40hp as being off 40%. It is tough to grow market share out of a depressed market like CUT. The large HP ag tractors have been quite a bit better and is some cases up. The large lines can weather it better as the CUT market isn't their bread and butter but their gravy.

 

[texasjohn]

Hmm...Wallace certainly gets unmatched personal recommendations
...........I looked at Kioti web site, only 2 dealers within 100 miles, both over 50 miles from me.
Not in the market, but if I were, would be hard to interest me in Kioti because of dealer availability alone.

 

[lakngulf]

I agree with others that the Kioti tractor is still a good machine and a good buy. Hey, I own one so I have to feel that way. Seriously, I have used tractors growing up almost every day, and have rented many types since. This little CK30 is a good companion.

That being said, it was great knowing the Rick and his staff were there to help with any question or issue that I had. His response to other's problems helped me and gave me more confidence. I purchased filters from Wallace, and a CK model tractor for each of my grandsons. I think Rick's expertise and knowledge will be there, and I wish them the best with the other brands. Corporations are strange.

I did post on the Kioti facebook page, and it is still there. On their page it is set to just show Kioti messages when it loads. There are two other views---Kioti and fans, or fans only.

 

[KiotiDave]

Hey All,
Joel, take it easy man... This is just a part of business. We are all freindly with Rick and Amy and he has an uncanny knack for coming out on top. We will never know what the reasons are for this seperation, but I can assure you that Kioti is not going to rely on Bobcat. When I went to Korea (with Rick and Amy) we were told that the north American dealers were 70+% of Daedong's business. There is no way that Bobcat can come close to that figure. Kioti is forcasting an 8% rise in market share this year, so I know they are commiting great effort to compete in the compact market. They have several new models and variations of existing models in the pipeline over the coming few years. The UTV was an unforeseen fiasco because of a supplier going out of business, but will be more than competative when it arrives in the next several months.
I compare this situation to when a good freind goes through a divorce that you did not see coming. Shock is your first response, but then they both go on to do their own thing and you stay freinds with both parties.
We have seen a tremendous increase in business over the past 4 weeks and are gearing up with increased inventory to handle the traffic. We are aslo in the process of setting up a free help line(via email) for all the do-it-yourselfers out there that are lucky enough to own a Kioti Tractor. All you will have to do is email your questions to our service dept and we will do whatever we can to help ALL KIOTI OWNERS. We are also expanding our reach in the NH and Vermont area for sales, service and warranty work.
So keep the faith and let the other dealers around you help as well. In this economy there are a lot of casualties, but the survivors will usually bend over backwards to earn your business.
I wish Rick and Amy success as he has helped me a time or two as well.

 

[JoelD]

Hey All,
Joel, take it easy man... This is just a part of business. We are all freindly with Rick and Amy and he has an uncanny knack for coming out on top. We will never know what the reasons are for this seperation, but I can assure you that Kioti is not going to rely on Bobcat. When I went to Korea (with Rick and Amy) we were told that the north American dealers were 70+% of Daedong's business. There is no way that Bobcat can come close to that figure. Kioti is forcasting an 8% rise in market share this year, so I know they are commiting great effort to compete in the compact market. They have several new models and variations of existing models in the pipeline over the coming few years. The UTV was an unforeseen fiasco because of a supplier going out of business, but will be more than competative when it arrives in the next several months.
I compare this situation to when a good freind goes through a divorce that you did not see coming. Shock is your first response, but then they both go on to do their own thing and you stay freinds with both parties.
We have seen a tremendous increase in business over the past 4 weeks and are gearing up with increased inventory to handle the traffic. We are aslo in the process of setting up a free help line(via email) for all the do-it-yourselfers out there that are lucky enough to own a Kioti Tractor. All you will have to do is email your questions to our service dept and we will do whatever we can to help ALL KIOTI OWNERS. We are also expanding our reach in the NH and Vermont area for sales, service and warranty work.
So keep the faith and let the other dealers around you help as well. In this economy there are a lot of casualties, but the survivors will usually bend over backwards to earn your business.
I wish Rick and Amy success as he has helped me a time or two as well.

Hi Dave, I am with you all the way, I like my Kioti very much and happily use whenever possible.

I was just stating what I've been seeing. I'm not sure how Kioti plans to hit their targets (unless it includes bobcat sales) with what appears to be a dwindling dealer base. Rick is the second big dealer I've seen go in recent months.

Would be interesting to know the count of new dealers versus old, specifically the Kioti line.

To be clear, what is good for Kioti dealers is good for me!!!

Just seems like loosing an established name like Rick would be a tough pill for Kioti to swallow.

PS, my brother's inlaws have a place at the head of Mascomma, I'm up your way once in a while.

Joel

 

[myyaz33]

Would be interesting to know the count of new dealers versus old, specifically the Kioti line.
Joel

Without having someone within KIOTI I don't know how to tell how many dealers there were but there appears to currently(02APR10) be 194 USA dealers. So going forward I guess we just pay attention.