Why is green paint so expensive?

[patrick_g]

Hey everyone, great comments. Thanks. I was told my Kubota was entirely made in Japan. Could be, I guess, if the implements are what brings the % to 40. When last I had heard Toyota was still building all the Prius in Japan, even converting plants from other production to 24-7 Prius production.

My original query did not include implements from JD or or sweatshirts, just tractors. I am willing to admit that some JD tractors might be still actually built in the US of A and not just assembled from prefab modules shipped from overseas but I wonder where they do that and which models that would be.

In local conversations on the fringes of various "spit and whittle" club meetings I keep hearing vague refs as to how JD still builds some tractors from the ground up in the US, maybe with some foreign parts (but who doesn't use some foreign parts) but I can never find out which models and where in the US this plant is operating. Surely JD isn't trying to hide their US production. You'd think they would brag about it and feature a picture of it on the cover of their bropchures with old glory waving proudly in the American breeze.

Anyway if someone has some hard facts on the location of the plant(s) where JD is building tractors not just assembling big prefabbed imported chunks or the model numbers of current production tractors fully built in the US, I'd sure like to know.

Thanks again to everyone who responded,

Pat

 

[Darla]

I was always told that red paint was more expensive due to the ingredients in the paint. My dad used to paint cars and I'm almost sure that he always complained that the cost of red paint was crazy. So now green paint costs more?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I wish I could tell you where the plants are in the US but I am not a big Deere follower to take time to remember these things. The large tractors are made here and then exported. I do know the 60 series combines are made right here in the US at the Harvester Works, in East Moline, IL. I think the tractors are made in Waterloo, IA.

CNH builds the TG/MX tractors here as well as the TV and the combines. I can not tell you what models Agco builds as I could never keep up with that company.

 

[Raddad]

That story about the wire is another silly myth. Please rtead the attached page which busts urban myths for what they are. Myths.
Urban Legends Reference Pages: Business (Drilled Wire)

 

[patrick_g]

I got my reply from THE HORSES MOUTH.

John Deere Waterloo Works
P. O. Box 270, (400 Westfield Avenue)
Waterloo IA 50704-0270
-- 7000, 8000, and 9000 Series tractors

Barry E. Nelson
Manager, Public Relations
John Deere Ag Marketing Center
Lenexa, KS 66219-2302
Phone: 913-310-8324
Fax: 913-310-8394

So there you have it. If you have a 7000, 8000, or 9000 series JD it is American made. Otherwise I guess it is a tractor from somewhere else with a green and yellow paint job.

Of course, someone else from JD may claim different. I don't know, I didn't take a poll.

Pat

 

[floridahay]

My wife and I went on a vacation to Iowa several years ago. We toured the Deere tractor assembly plant in Waterloo. The 7000,8000, and 9000 tractors were built there. We also toured the engine assembly plant and the foundry there also. The Deere research and developement facility is also in Waterloo but they do not allow tours of it for obvious reasons. Years ago the smaller John Deere tractors were built in Dubuque, Iowa. I have a 78 model 2640 John Deere that was built in Dubuque. If I am not mistaken John Deere has some plants in Moline, Illinois that build combines and maybe hay equipment.

 

[Tractors4u]

When I was shopping in November of 2003 this how they were priced from highest to lowest.

Caterpillar
Case IH
New Holland
Massey Ferguson
Kubota
Mahindra
Deere
AGCO

Yes folks, the Mahindra was more than the Deere. In fact I am giving it the benefit of the doubt, it may have been just a bit more than they Kubota. Funny thing is that the CAT, Massey and AGCO were are basically the same, manufactured by Iseki tractor and they ranged from $21K to $14 for the same tractor with very minor differences other than paint color. I like Deere, but for the money I was spending on what I considered to be a long term investment, I looked at everything. In the end it was between the Deere and the Kubota. Deere edged out Kubota on hydraulic power, slightly on price and then 0% interest.

I'll be honest. I really want to buy a Deere, but Kubota and NH both offer more tractor for the same amount of money. At least that's how it stacks up in my area. I won't even complain about all of the other colors that offer more bang for the buck.

I guess it's just frustrating to have to compromise on what I want in a tractor (HP, 4WD,tranny, etc.), just to get a Deere. You would think that the "Big 3" would be pretty close on price. I guess those extra dollars go toward marketing, which is why I want a Deere to start with.

My question is: Why should I spend the extra $3-6k to "go green"? I'd love to hear biased and unbiased answers.

 

[patrick_g]

Years ago the smaller John Deere tractors were built in Dubuque, Iowa.

Years ago Dubuque Hams were from Dubuque, Iowa but not for a few decades, now. Now it is just a brand name that is recognized and so of some marketing value, not unlike import tractors painted a popular color and hyped.

P.S. My wifes folks lived the last decades of their lives in Dubuque so I have been there and you can trust me, they don't have a Deere plant (or a Dubuque Ham packing operation which was even more of a dissapointment!)

Pat

 

[BTDT]

Collin Street Bakery (World Famous Fruitcakes) is still in Corsicana, Tx.

 

[patrick_g]

Very interesting, please send samples.

Actually, if this relates to my DUBUQUE post...

The point was that lots of FACTS about JD used to be true but are not so NOW. LIke Dubuque hams that used to be from Dubuque, JD used to make tractors in Dubuque. In fact JD used to make a lot of tractors a lot of places in the US, emphasis on USED TO MAKE.

A prev post quoted info from JD marketing guy on where they currently make tractors in the US (IOWA) and which ones they make there.

When can we expect to receive those samples?

Pat