Perkins Phaser Engine in Large Chinese Tractors?

Mike1 · Dec 5, 2005

I found the attached press release on the Perkins Website while doing some research on larger chinese tractors.
http://www.perkins.com/perkins/cda/articleDisplay/1,4094,7_2056_23003_32_____7_10023683,00.html?
Does anyone know if this refers to the engines in Foton tractors?

n4807g · Dec 5, 2005

I believe it does.

Affordable · Dec 5, 2005

When I requested pricing on the larger Fotons with the Perkins engines I was told that they were not a EPA version of the Perkins engine. And that importing them would be a problem.I see several people importing them are they gambling ? or hoping that they don't get checked.

Tommy
Affordable Tractor Sales

bluechip · Dec 5, 2005

Besides the EPA issue, it seems there could be a trademark issue if the Chinese plant continues to use the Perkins name. If Perkins raises a fuss, customs would likely seize a shipment for a trademark violation even quicker than an EPA issue, it is easier to discover. If the engine says Perkins, and Perkins has pulled out of the joint venture, then it would be like selling phoney NIKE or Rolex or what have you... Too risky for me. I'm sure it is a great tractor for the money, I have had 25 and 40 HP fotons and like the fit and finish, smooth sheet metal work, etc. They are the best looking Chinese tractors I have seen so far.

n4807g · Dec 6, 2005

This company just started bringing them in http://www.ekjohnson.com/

n4807g · Dec 6, 2005

I don't know when the letter was written, but it says the Chinese won't allow them to dissolve the partnership. Since we have no info from the Chinese factory we don't have their side of the story. I think the situation Perkins finds themselves in is quite common. Was Perkins duped? The Chinese are set up to make Perkins engineered diesel engines and Perkins appears to want out. By the time the issue is resolved the Chinese manufacturer will be established with a track record. The Chinese also have an advantage. In China the government still controls the interaction of commerce between foreign and domestic company's. If the Chinese manufacturer which, includes Foton, have enough political clout, Perkins could find themselves locked out of the domestic Chinese market. I doubt we'll hear much about it. I did ask a Perkins agent in the USA about that letter when I bought the FarmPro. He did confirm that Perkins USA does not honor the warranty on motors made in China.