FarmTrac Troubles

[bdeboer]

At Louisville last week, I was somewhat surprised to see a number of familiar blue products sporting a "Montana Limited" nametag, both LS sourced and Escorts sourced.

A dealer had one of these at the Columbus Ohio Power show a couple of weeks ago. It looked like a decal over the Farmtrac.

 

[longtrman]

Wonder what this means for all the brands that sell LS tractors?

LSMtron has already sent us letters (and Montana dealers as well) stating that they will support the Montana dealers. Those ex-Farmtrac dealers who have met Mr. Sim (I have not met him) think that Mr. Sim is a square shooter and man of his word. I certainly wonder though if the LS entry into the US market may have had some bearing on Montana's quitting the TYM tractor and announcing the Larger LS tractors as new models.
longtrman

 

[longtrman]

At Louisville last week, I was somewhat surprised to see a number of familiar blue products sporting a "Montana Limited" nametag, both LS sourced and Escorts sourced.

A dealer had one of these at the Columbus Ohio Power show a couple of weeks ago. It looked like a decal over the Farmtrac.

Can you give any details? What kind of programs did he offer and did he have special prices? Did the tractor look like it would be a good buy?

 

[redneckford]

The total idea is that you will need the Farmtrac (escort) tractor and parts .They may make an arrangement to supply both.A lot of dealers will go with them and you will be in a minority.
Will see you and many other with Montana as after some time it will be business as usual

Say What!!!! Dreaming!!!!

 

[kevanos]

Here are a couple of the rebadged Farmtrac's at the National Farm Machinery Show, 2009...

Montana Limited 675 DTC

Montana Limited 3140 DT

 

[longtrman]

Yes on Jan 22 Montana is having a meeting in Raleigh-Durham with the "former Farmtrac" dealers to talk about Montana and their goals for the future and also to talk about the Farmtrac dealers signing on to become Montana dealers. For dealers that are not able to attend the meeting, Montana said that we will be given DVD's of the meeting. Other than that, not much is being said about it. Do not know what kind of turn out is expected. Not much info is being given out other than the location of the meeting which is scheduled to last about 3 hours.


PS: I cannot wait for LS Mtron to be here in the USA full time and open for business.....which will be very soon I am told!

Sess,
Have you received the promised DVD yet? If you have I'll assume that mine is lost in the mail.

 

[Dark shadow]

Bonus points if you can name the three people behind the roll bar on the 675DTC picture. Adding which companies they represent will get you a star on your report.

 

[longtrman]

Montana tractors had taken off well and they have had success with LS tractors.LS tractors coming directly leaves them with difficult choices which means difficult times for dealers dealing with Montana.The good news is that if LS wants to be a success it will have to take care of both Montana amd Farmtrac tractors manufatured by them.Maybe they work out a deal with Montana.who knows??
The dealers dealing in LS tractors have to weigh their options of which way to go.

When you said "Montana tractors have taken off well" did you mean "Montana tractors sold by professional dealers who did good customer service" have taken off well? The way it looks to me is that most of the tractors sent to beauty shops, tire shops, used car dealers etc. ultimately ended going to the professional dealers to be sold at discount. The Montana TM told me that Montana has closed over 100 dealers last year. His contention was that they were of the non-professional type and needed closing. LS is committed to supporting Montana and so Montana could well be in a position to succeed. The Montana CEO that wanted to cause Farmtrac trouble is now working for someone else. This CEO was of the idea that you could never have dealers too close. That was why you have so many Montana dealers closed out now.

 

[longtrman]

Kevanos,
Did they really do that good of job of dolling up that tired iron or is it just that it was a photo?

 

[Dark shadow]

"His contention was that they were of the non-professional type and needed closing."

He speaks in generalities that need closer inspection. Since Montana is a privately held company it takes substantial research to find the answer. Personally, the Montana dealers I know that have terminated are of differing quality and age. But be assured that several are long term, multiple franchise holders who will remain in business without Montana.