Manufacturer & Dealer Issues

ONGOING COVERAGE: Right-to-Repair Impact on Dealers, Deere, Other OEMs

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:50:39 -0400

On July 8, the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorneys General of Illinois, Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin filed a joint motion in the Northern District of Illinois (Case No. 3:25-cv-50017) asking the court to enter a stipulated order that would resolve their right to repair lawsuit against Deere & Co.

Big Companies are Putting Big Dollars Behind the Trades, but Where Does It Leave Diesel Techs?

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:53:13 -0400

According to reports, big companies like Ford and philanthropies are stepping up to boost programs to get more people into the trades — a boost to the tune of $400 million.

Deere Settles RTR Lawsuit with FTC, States

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The settlement represents the FTC’s “latest commitment to reducing the cost of living for Americans, including both farmers and downstream consumers of the products those farmers produce,” the agency said.

Built for Tough Times: Streamlined Repairs and Smarter Service with SDI's Dealer-Driven Solutions

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Shop Dog Industries (SDI) helps dealers work more efficiently and economically to improve farmer satisfaction during economic downturns.

John Deere Undermines Industry Learning Event

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Allowing its independent dealers to gather at the all-colors Dealership Minds Summit apparently makes the Deere corporate office uneasy.

First-ever Ag Equipment Intelligence Executive Summit Held in Chicago on May 19-20

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The inaugural Ag Equipment Intelligence Executive Summit, a first-ever peer learning and networking event diving into ag machinery market intelligence, brought together all corners of the ag machinery industry — dealers, distributors, manufacturers, lenders and suppliers.

Where’s the Class in Class-Action?

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Class-action 101 and observations on the race by attorneys and their subcontractors to get an even larger piece of John Deere’s $99 million settlement intended for farmers.

Dealer Panel: Facility Projects That Maximize Operational Efficiency

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Dealership of the Year Alumni Leo Johnson, Johnson Tractor, 2025. He’s joined by Farm
Equipment Dealer Hall of Famer and owner of B&G Equipment, Tim Brannon.

SATISFYD Releases Analysis of Customer Dissatisfaction, Aftermarket Revenue in Equipment Industry

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

New research analyzing 20 million equipment industry transactions identifies measurable revenue-risk patterns tied to customer dissatisfaction and operational execution. Leading equipment dealers validate the findings.

Associations: The ‘Behind the Scenes’ Work Nobody Sees

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Former dealer association exec John Schmeiser provides a ‘behind-the-curtain’ look at manufacturer relations, warranty wars & meetings that saved the industry from hundreds of lawsuits.

AI in the Equipment Dealership: A Practical Guide to What Works, What Doesn’t & What to Look For

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The industry is moving fast. But the dealers getting real value from AI aren’t chasing every trend, they’re making smarter choices about where technology helps and where their people still lead.

Industry Shares Comments on CNH’s Color-Mixing of its Dealer Network

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Big changes for Case IH and New Holland machinery dealers, customers – and rival colors.

NAEDA Responds: CNH’s Color-Mixing of its Dealer Network

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The recent move by CNH to further align the Case IH and New Holland organizations—often referred to as the "purpling" of the brands—has generated significant discussion throughout the dealer network. While many details remain unclear, NAEDA sees both opportunities and challenges associated with this strategy.

Successful First-Ever Summit, But Some Conspicuous Absences

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Introducing a new product — or in our case a new event — can be equal parts excitement and nerve-racking. We did the attendee survey and polling on the need and formula, we lined up key presenters and sought input for the themed roundtable discussions.

First-Ever Ag Equipment Intelligence Executive Summit Wraps in Chicago

Thu, 21 May 2026 16:03:29 -0400

The registrants gathering in Chicago for Ag Equipment Intelligence's Executive Summit represented $32.2 billion in annual sales and the oversight of more than 24,000 employees.

NAEDA/AED Announce Washington, D.C. Policy Conference and Advocacy Day

Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

NAEDA is partnering with the Associated Equipment Distributors for a Washington, D.C. Policy Conference and Advocacy Day. The fly-in will be held June 1–3 with a robust agenda for engagement with Congress and the administration.

AED’s McGuire Lends Equipment Dealer Support to E15 Passage, Talks Highway Bill in D.C. Trip

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

On May 13-14, AED’s President & CEO Brian P. McGuire visited Washington, D.C., for high-level meetings with lawmakers and Trump administration officials.

CNH CEO: ‘Passing Through Lowest Period’ of Current Ag Cycle

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

CEO Gerrit Marx also noted that dealer inventory levels remained unchanged since the beginning of the year, calling it “by design.”

U.S. House Passes Farm Bill 2.0, Pesticide 'Liability Shield' Removed

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The version approved Thursday removed controversial language that would have prohibited states and courts from, “penalizing or holding liable entities for failing to comply with requirements that would require labeling or packaging that is in addition to or different from the labeling or packaging approved by the EPA administrator.”

Caterpillar Acquires Monarch Tractor

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:00:19 -0400

In a statement earlier this month, Monarch said its “core technology, including our software-defined vehicle platform, perception stack, and electrification systems, has been acquired by a large global equipment manufacturer. It means the technology will continue to move forward.”

Dealer-Major Line Relations and What Got Lost Along the Way

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Dealer-manufacturer relationships have shifted from personal, field-based partnerships to being more transactional today.

Observations on the Mainline OEM ‘Cast of Characters’ Over 20-Plus Years

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Veteran editor Mike Lessiter shares observations of having reported on the business of farm machinery for 20-plus years.

AEI Brings Together All Corners of Ag Equipment Industry with All-New Event

kschmidt@lessitermedia.com — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The entire industry — manufacturers, dealers and suppliers — has lacked a dedicated forum devoted solely to strategic market intelligence in which all can learn from each other.

Jim Irwin and 'Old-School' Leadership

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

What dealers want from the executives they answer to at their major-line is simple and straightforward.

AI’s Potential for Ag Machinery Manufacturers

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Baird analyst Mircea (Mig) Dobre said that the firm views AI as a potential disrupter for business models built on information access and digital products.

Diesel Prices Should Fall Eventually

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Forces at work within the economic structure of the oil refining business seem to be indicating the beginning of a stable market of softening of diesel fuel prices over the coming years — barring catastrophic geo-political upheavals.

Squid Juice, AI & Optimism: Noteworthy Nuggets from National Farm Machinery Show

nnewman@lessitermedia.com — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:00:00 -0500

Here are some of the top things we saw — and heard — at the 2026 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Ky.

Titan International Inc. Signs as Title Sponsor for 2026 Farm Equipment Dealership Minds Summit

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The editors of Farm Equipment announced at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville that Titan International has signed on as a Title Sponsor for the 2026 Dealership Minds Summit.

2026 Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame Inductee: Ron Birkey

mlessiter@lesspub.com — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

As is often said, the legacy of a leader cannot be measured until long after the retirement party and presentation of the gold watch. More specifically, the leader is valued on how the principles and core tenets translate over and into the preparedness of the next generation for the enterprise’s continuity. Such is the case for Ron Birkey.

2026 Farm Equipment Dealer Hall of Fame Inductee: Jack Stankievech

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Rather than growing quickly or chasing expansion, Jack Stankievech focused on making careful decisions and maintaining relationships that have endured for decades. That approach helped shape Trochu Motors through both strong years and challenging down times.