See the Zetor tractors at Empire Farm Days

[Chipperman]

Empire Farm days starts Tues. If you have not seen a Zetor nows your chance. Their will be Zetors and Centurys on display at the American Jawa Booth.

From August 1st through September 30th cut your best deal on a tractor and then get a Customer Apreciation Letter worth $100 (cash back) with any Century purchase or $200+ on any Zetor purchase.

So come on down and see the tractors.
Chipperman

 

[HayDR]

In the long run Century and Branson will be one sales company. Word is Uzel has made an offer for Zetor if this goes through, it does not look good for American Jawa being able to keep Zetor marketing rights. Branson is now bigger than Century so one will win and one will lose you do the math.

 

[Woodbeef]

Uzel's bid was turned down already by the Czech Government. They went with HTC Holdings because Zetor had to stay Czech built. HTC is a very large and diverse company,and has many plans in the works for Zetor. Your Uzel info is outdated by over a year!!

AmJawa is part of Zetor.

Not really sure about your Century vs Branson debate either? Both are only brand names used for marketing by Kukje.

 

[dancce]

I would like to see some numbers to verify your contention that Branson is bigger than Century.
American Jawa,which is part of the Czech /Zetor organization, I believe has more dealers nationwide than Branson.
It is concievable that Branson has sold more CUTS than Century has--simply because Branson was in existence earlier. But again, I would have to see the numbers before believing it.
I also will "ditto" what Woodbeef pointed out about Uzel. It is old news and over with.
I will be over there (Czech Republic) the end of Sept. and will let you know the latest firsthand and "accurate" info. on the Zetor situation. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

dancce

 

[HayDR]

Is Zetor a Trabant? NO, but is Zetor a YUGO?

Go to the Major Farm Machinery shows in World outside North America and you will not see the Century name. Kukje is there as Branson. AMJAWA is not solely owned by Zetor. AMJAWA has marketing agreements with companies and MFG's nothing. It is a sales company. It will come down to does Zetor offer the quality product for the price that US customers want. Why did JD walk away from an engine plant they invested millions into with Zetor? Is Zetor a Trabant? NO, but is Zetor a YUGO?

 

[dancce]

Re: Is Zetor a Trabant? NO, but is Zetor a YUGO?

" does Zetor offer the quality product for the price that US customers want"

The answer to that question---at least in my area--is yes.
Of all the Zetor tractors we have sold since the ownership change-(and before)--we have had heard no complaints--only praise from the customers who have purchased them.
As far as AMJAWA is concerned--they do a good job of preparing the tractors before we get them. We always PDI anything we sell--but in all honesty, the tractors we get from AMJAWA, never need anything---they are ready to go to the field when we get them.

As far as your other question--I can't answer--but would be interested to hear yours. Why did JD "walk away" from the Zetor plant?
I suspect it was for economic reasons--it was certainly not because of lack of quality. Unless one is sitting in on the board meetings, no-one would know the real reasons for why a company does anything--the PR men are kind of like mushroom growers when it comes to providing information to the public--just feed them manure, and keep them in the dark.

dancce

 

[dancce]

Re: Is Zetor a Trabant? NO, but is Zetor a YUGO?

With regard to the Century name only being used in the US by AMJAWA---why would AMJAWA even want to use the Branson name? Branson was already here and being sold by the guys in Georgia when AMJAWA went looking for a CUT to fill out their tractor line.
It says something for the clout and marketing infrastructure already inplace that AMJAWA has --that they were able to get that tractor private labeled for them from Kukje. I doubt that the boys in Georgia blew kisses at either Kukje or AMJAWA when that agreement was reached.

dancce

 

[HayDR]

Re: Is Zetor a Trabant? NO, but is Zetor a YUGO?

Zetor has come a long way and has the latest Technology in their factories. It's not the concern about their MFG it's the structure of the company. The Czech government still have the final say so. Now Deere can sell their Indian tractors at or lower than Zetor's tractors that's my concern. Deere's engines have passed 2004 EPA standards but has all the Zetor engines passed? If not they will likely purchase Perkins head designs just as Daedong and others have done.

 

[Woodbeef]

Re: Is Zetor a Trabant? NO, but is Zetor a YUGO?

I take it you are reffering to the next round of EPA TierII emissions. If so then the only Zetor engines that might not be compliant are the 49.6 to 100.4 hp ones at this time.