Tractor News Bobcat Ending Compact Tractor Line?

[kattywumpus]

Just talked to a Kioti dealer who indicated Bobcat is planning to end their tractor build agreement with Kioti. He said Bobcat feels the compact tractor line not profitable enough. My initial thought is this guy is blowing smoke, trying to get me not to purchase a Bobcat CT335. But I figure I would throw this information out here and see what other people have heard.

 

[IslandTractor]

Just talked to a Kioti dealer who indicated Bobcat is planning to end their tractor build agreement with Kioti. He said Bobcat feels the compact tractor line not profitable enough. My initial thought is this guy is blowing smoke, trying to get me not to purchase a Bobcat CT335. But I figure I would throw this information out here and see what other people have heard.

I have no specific knowledge but it sure sounds like BS to me. Recall Bobcat is actually owned by a Korean cartel.

 

[wallace]

Just talked to a Kioti dealer who indicated Bobcat is planning to end their tractor build agreement with Kioti. He said Bobcat feels the compact tractor line not profitable enough. My initial thought is this guy is blowing smoke, trying to get me not to purchase a Bobcat CT335. But I figure I would throw this information out here and see what other people have heard.

Well if that's the case, Bobcat does do some pretty long term planning, considering they just signed their new contracts.

I love sales people.
Seems like they will throw themselves in front of a train to get a sale!

 

[rus_geek]

I love sales people.
Seems like they will throw themselves in front of a train to get a sale!

:thumbsup:

 

[kattywumpus]

The kicker is I was equally considering the Kioti DK35SE and a Bobcat CT335. I'm preferring the CT335 because the loader capacity is a little higher, but the price will be the finial decision maker. But I have to ask myself do I really want a business relationship with a dealer that BSing. Even if it was true he shouldn't have said anything unless he had some evident to backup his claim.

 

[Gittyup]

I'd at least find a different salesman. If that means going elsewhere.... you are probably better off.

 

[MATTS875]

I was talking to a Kioti dealer in Alabama and he told me the same thing...must be a KIOTI THING

 

[lilranch2001]

Kioti has been putting this out for almost 2 years, they are losing to much busness to Bobcat

 

[radman1]

Kioti has been putting this out for almost 2 years, they are losing to much busness to Bobcat

I have wondered if that is true. Lot more Bobcat dealers than Kioti. It seems that there are more posts on TBN from people buying BC rather than Kioti. BC did have some great rebates and were probably priced under Kioti.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Just talked to a Kioti dealer who indicated Bobcat is planning to end their tractor build agreement with Kioti. He said Bobcat feels the compact tractor line not profitable enough.

While I agree it's probably total smoke and B.S. I've said to my bro (he's the happy owner of a CT230) that it really would'nt suprise me if Bobcat & Kioti would dissolve their relationship eventually. BUT, Bobcat would bring tractors In House...its not like Doosan doesnt have the resources to do it....IMO it would have been smart strategy on Doosan's part....test the waters, build a dealer infrastructure (For the CUT's), and really more then anything...Buy Marketshare.. all with minimal risk. If it works listen to your dealers and customers and build the better mouse trap. If it hadnt worked out, drop the whole thing and pretend it didnt happen.
From my point of view, Bobcat did what many have failed to do...no other "new nameplate" has splashed out more CUT's successfully then Bobcat has. Heck I think they did a better job then NH & CIH did with the Boomer & Farmall.

 

[soback1]

Hey guys new on Tractorbynet. I work at a Bobcat dealership and can tell you that there is NO way that Bobcat is getting rid of the tractors. If a Kioti salesman told you that he lied to you.

 

[foggy1111]

While I agree it's probably total smoke and B.S. I've said to my bro (he's the happy owner of a CT230) that it really would'nt suprise me if Bobcat & Kioti would dissolve their relationship eventually. BUT, Bobcat would bring tractors In House...its not like Doosan doesnt have the resources to do it....IMO it would have been smart strategy on Doosan's part....test the waters, build a dealer infrastructure (For the CUT's), and really more then anything...Buy Marketshare.. all with minimal risk. If it works listen to your dealers and customers and build the better mouse trap. If it hadnt worked out, drop the whole thing and pretend it didnt happen.
From my point of view, Bobcat did what many have failed to do...no other "new nameplate" has splashed out more CUT's successfully then Bobcat has. Heck I think they did a better job then NH & CIH did with the Boomer & Farmall.

I think you hit the nail on the head with this post. Bobcat proved that their brand will sell....even in a bad economy. A few years of satisfied owners will assure this manufacturer of a big (USA) market for many years to come. Of course they had some super prices to make it happen....but still...they got 'er done....IMO.

To add to the above.....I think the distinctive "white" tractor was a great market plan (they look like no other....you cant miss 'em). Also the instant large dealer network with a good history of selling a tuff-use type of customer...who's dealers understand the dirt marketplace. Great introductory prices to get some product in the field. Great moves....I'd say.

OH...and if they bring back the "free" loader deal...they will have one more customer to deal with.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I think you hit the nail on the head with this post. Bobcat proved that their brand will sell....even in a bad economy. A few years of satisfied owners will assure this manufacturer of a big (USA) market for many years to come. Of course they had some super prices to make it happen....but still...they got 'er done....IMO.

To add to the above.....I think the distinctive "white" tractor was a great market plan (they look like no other....you cant miss 'em). Also the instant large dealer network with a good history of selling a tuff-use type of customer...who's dealers understand the dirt marketplace. Great introductory prices to get some product in the field. Great moves....I'd say.

Yep, agree with you on all points. Actually, IMO Bobcat made Kioti look like a Joke...seriously, Bobcat did more in 2/3 years then Kioti has in what, 10+?
IMO, if Bobcat/Doosan keep it up, I can see them becoming a top shelf brand like JD & Kubota. I dont think they can get there using Kioti machines though. Realizing which forum I'm making this post, I'm gonna leave it at that :laughing:

 

[art]

This relationship goes to deep to just stop! Might it hurt the Kioti line for market share, yes it will!

Spill off from it has been the line of skid steers from Kubota. The new bobcat skids will be having kioti engines in them.

As far as bobcats market share it will gain as they already have a good market in skids and the customers that have been buying from there will very well be buying from their bobcat dealer.

Bobcat has a larger dealer organization that is very well established although much of it is in or near cities it is solid.

I don't see it changing at all as far as bobcat representation, for the brand representation it might go to being all bobcat and that might be those dealers worry.

 

[tulenutn2o]

White has become the New green around here($$$). Aside from the free loader and rebates last year. Local dealer couldn't come close to Kioti for me. Tractor salesmen have become like car salesmen in my book. Out to hook you for as much coin as possible. Interesting note that the BC dealer bought out the Foton dealer in the area. I will stick with smaller dealers/businesses. That is what truly drives America.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I don't see it changing at all as far as bobcat representation, for the brand representation it might go to being all bobcat and that might be those dealers worry.

I thought about that..There will come a day where there will be a fork in the road...I see it as
Road #1 = Doosan goes in house (My money is on this)
Road #2 = Kioti goes bye bye and everything becomes Bobcat
Either way, the current situation is not sustainable...you got Kioti dealers being beat up by much larger well established Bobcat dealers on both and price AND service.

 

[Gil Case]

I am a Koti owner, but see the handwriting on the wall, especially seeing Wallace make the jump to BC. I think Kioti is the one in jeopardy of disappearing since their dealer network is less stable and stretched thinner. Were I buying a CUT now, Bobcat would be my choice, mainly because of dealer availability, reputation and stability.
I feel like I have an orphan machine since Wallace left the pack, not dissimilar to when I owned a Chinese Benye. At least when I owned the Benye I had no expectation of dealer service. Having paid $6,000 for the thing I was willing to take that chance, now I am into $18,000+ for my Kioti and still have no expectation of dealer representation nor service. I am bummed out about it.

 

[ToadHill]

Spudland:Yep, agree with you on all points. Actually, IMO Bobcat made Kioti look like a Joke.IMO, if Bobcat/Doosan keep it up, I can see them becoming a top shelf brand like JD & Kubota.


Spoken like a true Deere Snob.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Spoken like a true Deere Snob.

Yeah, I suppose there is some truth to that, not gonna pretend to not have bias ..To go a step further I'd say I'm a "Tractor Snob" and IMO the only 2 machines where I can smile on all fronts on is Kubota & Deere. The only thing Bobcat has on either Green or Orange is $10k
All that being said...would I have bought a Bobcat when I was shopping? At the prices they are at, definetly.

 

[IslandTractor]

Spudland:Yep, agree with you on all points. Actually, IMO Bobcat made Kioti look like a Joke.IMO, if Bobcat/Doosan keep it up, I can see them becoming a top shelf brand like JD & Kubota..

Yes, Bobcat made a big splash when it undercut Kioti on prices last year in particular. However, the real question is whether Bobcat is making money on their Daedong tractors at their current prices.

Kioti has always had a struggle with dealerships and has tried to cut the number of small mom and pop dealers to professionalize their network. That is not an easy task in a competitive environment and presumably that task is made worse by the fact that Bobcat has an instant well respected network already in place and is selling essentially the identical tractors. The fact that Kioti policies managed to force a dealer like Rick Wallace to change sides is telling.

I'd be surprised however if Bobcat dropped Daedong. It is no small deal to develop a reliable competitive tractor line from scratch and virtually impossible to do that with a lineup of engines. Bobcat has never made their own engines so would need to either continue to buy from Daedong or go back hat in hand to Kubota or Yanmar etc. That would be a pretty difficult challenge. Instead, if Bobcat's parent company wanted to take over exclusive rights, it would much easier to just buy out Daedong.