Sept. 19, 2021
KIOTI is one of the fastest-growing tractor brands in North America. Known mostly for its compact and subcompact tractors, KIOTI now expanding into compact construction equipment.
KIOTI is among the world’s leading tractor brands. KIOTI, pronounced “coyote,” features the emblematic coyote on its brand logo. Since KIOTI introduced its first tractor in the US market in 1986, the brand has grown quickly and is known for its technology, value and service.
KIOTI Tractor is part of Daedong Corporation (Korean homepage), which is headquartered in Daegu, South Korea. Daedong was founded in 1947, and it began producing tractors in 1968. Since then, Daedong has expanded into a variety of other farm and agriculture equipment.
In 1993 the Daedong formed Daedong-USA, Inc. in North Carolina to distribute KIOTI tractors in North America. Later the Company established its current-day US headquarters in Wendell, North Carolina. KIOTI Canada, a subsidiary of Daedong-USA, Inc., was established in 2018 with a distribution center in Mississauga, Ontario.
KIOTI tractors and engines sold in North America are manufactured in Korea and China and distributed from its North Carolina and Ontario facilities. KIOTI has a dealership base of about 500 dealers (view KIOTI dealers ) in North America that carry the KIOTI tractor line.KIOTI first focused solely on under-100-horsepower compact utility tractors, and gradually expanded its product line over the years. Today, KIOTI and Daedong manufacture a wide assortment of farm and construction equipment, including:
KIOTI has produced equipment under other brands names in the past, including Farm Tanakaya, Landix and Landpower, Cub Cadet and Bobcat. Daedong, KIOTI’s parent company, has been involved with various strategic partnerships with leading brands in the past, including New Holland and Kubota.
Source: KIOTI.com
Notes: KIOTI's logo features a coyote in the upper right corner.
KIOTI offers a full line of hay-hauling, dirt-digging, trail-blazing machines ready to take on any job that demands a durable compact tractor. Choose from the CS Sub Compact Series (22 hp – 25 hp), CK10 Series (25 hp – 40 hp), DK10 Series (45 hp – 55 hp), NX Series (45 hp -60 hp), RX Series (66 hp – 73 hp) or PX Series (90 hp - 110 hp) and find the one that’s right for you.
Source: KIOTI.com Tractors
KIOTI announced that it will introduce a compact track loader and skid steer to its dealers in 2021, with production starting in 2022. The 74-horsepower compact track loader and skid steer will be positioned mid-range in both markets.
KIOTI emphasized that the new entrants will be designed, engineered and manufactured by them. "We’re not private labeling anyone else’s machines," said Joel Hicks, KIOTI product development manager in an interview with Equipment World "Our goal is to offer as much benefit to the customer at a reasonable price."
The mid-range products will compete against established compact engine manufacturers, including Yanmar, Kubota, and Kohler.
"We are looking for additional opportunities in complementary markets that could be served by our dealer network," Hicks continued. "Compact construction equipment is a natural evaluation for us when you look at the customers and dealers we focus on as well as our manufacturing capability."
Many of KIOTI’s 500 dealers in North America currently do not carry compact construction equipment. The introduction of new compact construction lines will enable them to serve new markets.
KIOTI invested $13 million in 2017 to expand its North American headquarters. "KIOTI has seen tremendous growth in recent years, and this expansion is critical as we seek to build upon our foundation of success to better support our dealer network and deliver outstanding service to our growing customer base," said Peter Dong-Kyun Kim, President and CEO of Daedong-USA, Inc. KIOTI Tractor Division. "In everything we do, we are committed to delivering the best machine-owning experience our customers have ever had, and this investment helps us continue to deliver that goal."
KIOTI and Kubota are not the same, nor are they currently affiliated (see Where Are Kubota Tractors Made?). In the past KIOTI's parent company Daedong partnered with Kubota to produce one tractor model. That partnership no longer exists. Both KIOTI and Kubota compete head-to-head in segments including compact tractors and now compact construction equipment. Kubota has a larger dealer network in North America when compared to KIOTI.
In 2002 Kubota sued Daedong in a California court for trademark infringement because KIOTI used a similar orange color and hood shape decal. After a five-year legal battle, the two companies reached an undisclosed settlement in August 2007. Both KIOTI and Kubota continue to use the orange color and hood shape decal following the lawsuit, which suggests that the lawsuit did not change much.
Almost all of KIOTI’s under-75-horsepower products, with the exception of the zero-turn mowers, have Daedong engines (KIOTI's parent company). "We have a long history of manufacturing engines," Hicks said.
KIOTI's Daedong engines are made in South Korea and broader Asia. They are installed in tractors and other equipment, then shipped to end markets, including North America and Europe.
KIOTI tractors and engines are very good quality. KIOTI’s powertrain warranty is currently up to 72 months (six years), which is one of the best and longest warranty coverage packages provided by tractor manufacturers today. This warranty covers all CS models, CX models, CK10 models, CK10SE models, DK10 models, DK10SE models and NX models.
KIOTI Tractor Long Term Review Video
