Production to Fendt
Agco ends Challenger in Europe
Agco, the parent company behind brands such as Fendt, Massey Ferguson and Valtra, is pulling the plug on Challenger in Europe. That reports the British Farm Machinery Journal. From January 1, 2018, Fendt will take over the production of tracked tractors and field sprayers. This means the end for the Grubbenvorst factory.
The British Farm Machinery Journal reports that Agco has decided to stop marketing Challenger machines in Europe. The factory in Jackson, Minnesota, USA, will continue to build and sell tractors for the American market. Details have not yet been announced, but according to Farm Machinery Journal, Fendt will fill the gap in Europe.
Fendt develops crawler tractor
Rather than simply changing the color and decals, Fendt is working on its own two-track tractor with their own Vario transmission. The 1000 Vario series is used as the basis. Since last year, a photo of a Fendt tracked tractor, in Challenger colors, has been circulating on the internet near the American factory. The heavy 800 series tracked tractors would be built by Challenger and Fendt would have developed a replacement for the 700 series. Agco would then finally be able to supply a crawler tractor with a CVT transmission.
Grubbenvorst closes doors
According to Farm Machinery Journal, Challenger will continue to sell in Europe until the end of 2017. After that, Fendt will probably take over. That also means the end for the production of field sprayers, which are produced in Grubbenvorst, Limburg. The trailed and self-propelled machines move to the Fendt factory, where it also builds the Katana forage harvester. The Grubbenvorst branch would then close its doors. Agco had previously decided to stop building the self-propelled Terra-Gator.
Agco streamlined
The closure of the factory would be a consequence of the more efficient organization of the lines at Agco. It is hinted at the fact that feeding 4 brands in one market for the full liner is not feasible. Further drastic changes may lie in wait. In North America, Fendt tractors are sold under the Challenger flag. That will remain the case for the time being.
Logical step
If the news is true, there is a good chance that Fendt will show its brand new crawler tractor at Agritechnica. That it is being developed is a fact, as evidenced by the spy photo. It is a logical step for the brand with ambition. For example, more can be obtained from the 1000 series, a crawler tractor with Vario is available and Fendt can also become a full liner with field sprayers in the range. Unfortunately, it does mean the death knell for a machine manufacturer in Limburg.
The Fendt prototype spotted last year. Source: Google
Niels van der Boom
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