Why Kubota Developed its RTV-XG850 Sidekick UTV

LAKE LANIER ISLANDS, Ga. — Rural Lifestyle Dealer is test driving Kubota Tractor Corp.'s new gas-powered RTV-XG850 Sidekick, which was introduced back in February at the National Farm Machinery Show. A media event showed off Kubota's first entry in the multi-purpose cross-over utility vehicle market, which is now shipping to dealers. The Sidekick is intended as a work vehicle for farms, ranches, construction sites and other similar operations.

It is Kubota's fastest utility vehicle yet and features a 48 horsepower gasoline engine, speeds of up to 40 mph, continuously variable transmission with centrifugal clutch (known as CVT Plus), idle speed control and electronic power steering. It also has selectable 4WD, a 2,000 pound towing capacity, cargo capacity of 15.2 cubic feet and 1,000 pounds and more than 50 attachments.

"This market has been growing. We've been seeing a 12% increase in the multi-purpose utility vehicle market year-over-year," says Roger Gifford, Kubota's product marketing manager for utility vehicles. He says the pure utility vehicle customer was looking for more speed and transport and cargo capacity.

"We wanted to satisfy the utility vehicle customer and introduce something really new in the multi-purpose market," Gifford says.

Stay tuned for a feature about Kubota's RTV-XG850 Sidekick (available in orange, green, camo and black) and go to Rural Lifestyle Dealer's Facebook page for videos and photos.

QUESTION FOR YOU: What is the #1 feature or specification your UTV customers are looking for? Email lwoolf@lessitermedia.com.

Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf

Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf was managing editor of Rural Lifestyle Dealer. Prior to that, she was a contributing writer for Rural Lifestyle Dealer and Farm Equipment magazines before becoming editor in 2012. She previously covered agriculture as a freelance writer for several industry publications. Lynn also worked in public relations and marketing and earned her accreditation in public relations. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and lives on a third-generation family farm in Kansas. Contact: lwoolf@lessitermedia.com

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Why Kubota Developed its RTV-XG850 Sidekick UTV

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Lynn Marcinkowski Woolf