As the year comes to a close, Rural Lifestyle Dealer has compiled the top articles we published in 2022.

1. Honda to Exit U.S. Lawn Mower Market, Continue EU Production

Nov. 4, 2022

According to an Oct. 3 announcement posted to the Honda dealer Interactive Network, Honda will end its lawn mower production by September 2023 and left over inventory will be offered in 2024 until it is sold out.

The statement from Honda Power Sports & Products said the company plans to discontinue production of lawn mowers at its North Carolina manufacturing facility in September 2023 and move all-terrain vehicle production there from its South Carolina facility. The South Carolina facility will "solely focus on Honda side-by-side production."

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2. STIHL to Launch Line of Zero-Turn Mowers Manufactured by Briggs & Stratton

May 24, 2022

STIHL and Briggs & Stratton announced May 24 a new manufacturing relationship that will expand the offerings of STIHL products in the U.S. Through this relationship, STIHL will launch a line of zero-turn mowers for professionals and homeowners.  

The new products will be available in select authorized local STIHL dealers beginning in January 2023. STIHL will add zero-turn mowers to its line of outdoor power solutions for landscaping, tree care, construction, cleaning and gardening.

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3. New Compact Tractor Company Enters the Market

July 19, 2022

Summit Tractor, based in Atlanta, Ga., is the latest compact tractor company to enter the market, according to a video on Good Works Tractors YouTube channel. The tractor and loader are made by ITL in India. ITL is owned 30% by Yanmar Japan.

Summit plans to add a backhoe in 2023 that will be made by Amerequip in Kiel, Wis., Amerequip manufactures backhoes for John Deere and a number of other OEMs. 

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4. Mower Catches Fire in Demo Yard at Equip Expo

Oct. 19, 2022

On Oct. 19, in the Equip Exposition Outdoor Demo Yard at the Kentucky Exposition Center, a mower caught on fire. Kris Kiser, president and CEO, Equip Exposition and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, confirmed there were no injuries. The unit has been removed from the Outdoor Demo Yard. The demo yard was closed for safety reasons but will re-open in the morning, October 20, at 9 a.m. as scheduled.

5. Young Owner Breathes New Life into Florida Dealership

Aug. 29, 2022

Connor Tractor had only been open for business for 18 months as of the article' publishing date, but in that time owner Jeremy Connor improved their unit sales, was named to a “40 under 40” list locally and was named best agricultural dealer in the 352 area code.

Connor purchased the dealership’s building from Kioti dealer Caldwell Tractor in January 2021. 

Connor’s original career plans didn’t include owning a tractor dealership. He graduated college with a civil engineering degree, but when he moved to the U.S. from Ireland the economy was weak, and there were no engineering jobs. “When I first moved to the U.S, I was a plumber. And after plumbing in Cleveland, I moved down here to Ocala, and I was doing a classic car restoration for a car collector here,” he explains.

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6. DEWALT Introduces Ascent Series, All Electric Commercial Mowing Platform

Oct. 19, 2022

DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and provider in outdoor power equipment, unveiled Oct. 19 the Ascent zero-turn mower series, the first in a lineup of electric outdoor power equipment for professional landscapers. The Ascent Series will offer a total electric solution with smart technology designed to meet the needs of landscapers. It will be available through DEWALT’s professional dealer network beginning in fall 2023.

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7. How to Prevent Equipment Theft at Your Dealership

March 8, 2022

The shiny new tractor on your lot or in your showroom can attract more than just customers. Thieves can quickly load valuable equipment onto a flatbed trailer, drive off undetected and get away with a handsome profit. 

The National Equipment Register, which manages a database of recorded equipment theft and ownership records, says equipment theft patterns generally mirror the overall economy. In 2021, equipment scarcities due to supply chain shortages combined with elevated demand for equipment resulted in a higher number of thefts. 

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8. Compact Tractor Dealers Ignore Two-Thirds of Potential Website Customers

Feb. 7, 2022

Dealers selling CNH’s New Holland compact tractors ranked highest in responsiveness to Internet leads from dealership websites, according to the 2022 Pied Piper PSI Internet Lead Effectiveness (ILE) survey released today. AGCO’s Massey Ferguson brand and Mahindra were tied for second, followed by John Deere and Kubota. 

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9. Briggs & Stratton to Exit NA Portable Generator, Snow Thrower Markets

Jan. 10, 2022

A Jan. 10 report from BizTimes said Briggs & Stratton will close its Germantown, Wis., distribution facility as it, "stops selling portable generators, pressure washers and snow throwers to mass retail centers in North America." 

Lauren Vagnini, director of communications at Briggs & Stratton is quoted in the article as saying the company will exit these businesses, "as we focus our resources to drive profitable growth for the company." It was reported that less than 50 hourly positions would be impacted by the closure.

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10. Mahindra May Consider Tractor Business Spinoff to Tap Automotive Opportunities

Feb. 14, 2022

Mahindra & Mahindra, the global market leader in the tractor segment, may look at spinning off its farm machinery business in the hope of tapping automotive opportunities in the future.

Anish Shah, managing director and CEO of Mahindra Group, told The Hindu Business Line, “We may look at a spinoff of farm machinery business because that is one area where we see huge potential for growth, and it may require a very different mindset for driving that growth, which can actually be 10X growth in 3-5 years, potentially even more. But that is not finalized as yet. This is only for farm equipment and farm machinery. We are not looking of a demerger of the farm business right now.”

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