Rural Lifestyle Dealer editors encounter a variety of articles, social media posts, podcasts and videos that offer a unique look at various aspects of the rural lifestyle market. Here is our favorite content from the past week:

• Meet the Gator’s Grandad — the John Deere Scamper
• Hacker Finds Honda Power Sports Dealer Portal Weaknesses
• The Dreaded 'New Front End Loader' Phone Call
• Hyundai Latest Player to Enter the Compact Track Loader Market
• 5 Weeks to a Profitable Dealership

Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by ECHO.

 
For five decades, ECHO has been a worldwide leader in the development and manufacturing of professional-grade, hand-held outdoor power equipment for both the commercial and homeowner markets. Today, the company sells its products in North America through eight distributors managing 6,600 independent dealers.

Meet the Gator’s Grandad — the John Deere Scamper

Remember the John Deere Scamper, the forerunner of today’s Gator? Mike Saelens owns the extremely rare unit, just 11 were built in 1962. Saelens says he located the machine after finding notes that his father, an equipment salesman for a Deere dealership in Moline, Ill., had collected over the years.

Hacker Finds Honda Power Sports Dealer Portal Weaknesses

A "white hat" hacker — someone using their hacking abilities for good — recently reported vulnerabilities in the Honda Power Sports dealer portal. This researcher, Eaton Zveare, gave his findings to Honda, which reported it had addressed the issues and thanked Zveare for his work.

The Dreaded 'New Front End Loader' Phone Call

YouTuber and dealership veteran Mike Wiles recently shared with his subscribers the moment he always dreaded while working at the dealership — requests for quotes on new front end loaders. But the problem wasn't so much the front end loader as it was what these customers were usually trying to attach them to...

Hyundai Latest Player to Enter the Compact Track Loader Market

Thus far in 2023, the North American market has seen Develon, Yanmar and now Hyundai enter the compact track loader market. Equipment World gives us an up close look at the new CTL model, as well as Hyundai's new skid steer.

5 Weeks to a Profitable Dealership

Our good friend Bob Clements — who just spoke at this year's Dealership Success Academy — has embarked on a new 5 week series to help dealers work towards profitability. For the first day of week one, he begins with a spreadsheet to help dealers determine their break even point.

Is there something you want to share in "This Week"? Send us an email.

More from this series

Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by ECHO.

For five decades, ECHO has been a worldwide leader in the development and manufacturing of professional-grade, hand-held outdoor power equipment for both the commercial and homeowner markets. Today, the company sells its products in North America through eight distributors managing 6,600 independent dealers.

Click here to view past "Best of the Web This Week" updates.