Kubota tractors are made primarily in Japan and the United States, with the company’s flagship manufacturing based in Osaka and a major US plant in Gainesville, Georgia. Browse models at Kubota USA’s official website.
Kubota is known for its compact and sub-compact tractors that have made it the number one selling tractor brand in the United States for several consecutive years.
Kubota tractors are produced by Kubota Corporation, a publicly traded Japanese company founded in 1890 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, that also manufactures engines, construction machinery, and water treatment equipment.
Knowing where Kubota tractors are made helps buyers understand the manufacturing quality, supply chain, and which specific models are built domestically versus imported from Japan.
This article covers Kubota’s ownership, founding story, manufacturing locations, current tractor lineup, and how it compares to John Deere and Case IH.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Kubota?
Kubota Corporation is a publicly traded Japanese company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker 6326.
Kubota is an independent company with no major foreign parent. Its largest shareholders are Japanese institutional investors, with no single entity controlling a majority stake.
The company operates across four main business segments: farm and industrial machinery, water and environment, construction machinery, and engines.
When Was Kubota Founded?
Kubota was founded in 1890 by Gonshiro Kubota in Osaka, Japan, initially as a manufacturer of cast iron products including water pipes and cookware.
The company moved into agricultural machinery in the 1920s and produced its first tractor in 1960, eventually becoming one of the largest tractor manufacturers in the world.
Kubota entered the United States market in 1969, initially importing compact tractors that found strong demand among hobby farmers and rural property owners who needed smaller machines than the large American farm tractors of the era.
Where Are Kubota Tractors Made?
Kubota’s primary tractor manufacturing is based at two main plants in Japan. The Sakai plant in Osaka handles core tractor production, including larger utility tractors. The Tsukuba plant in Ibaraki Prefecture produces additional tractor models and compact utility vehicles.
In the United States, Kubota Manufacturing of America (KMA) in Gainesville, Georgia assembles compact tractors, zero-turn riding mowers, and other equipment for the North American market. The Gainesville plant began operations in 1988.
Kubota also has manufacturing in France, India, and Thailand for products serving those regional markets, giving the brand a genuinely global production footprint.
Which Kubota Tractors Are Made in the USA?
Kubota assembles a portion of its compact tractor lineup at the Gainesville, Georgia facility. Specific sub-compact and compact models in the BX and B series are among those assembled domestically for the US market.
Larger Kubota tractors in the L, M, and Grand L series are typically imported from Japan rather than assembled at the Georgia plant.
Buyers specifically seeking US-assembled Kubota equipment should confirm country of assembly with their local dealer, as model-specific sourcing can change between production years.
Kubota vs John Deere vs Case IH: Who Makes Each?
All three are major tractor brands but come from very different companies. Kubota is owned by Kubota Corporation, an independent Japanese company. John Deere is made by Deere & Company, an independent American publicly traded company headquartered in Moline, Illinois. Case IH is owned by CNH Industrial, a publicly traded company formed from the merger of CNH Global and Fiat Industrial.
Kubota leads in compact and sub-compact tractor sales in the US, a segment it essentially created for the American market. John Deere dominates large agricultural equipment. Case IH competes in the large farm tractor and harvester segments.
All three have US manufacturing facilities. John Deere assembles tractors in Waterloo, Iowa and Augusta, Georgia. Case IH builds equipment in Racine, Wisconsin. Kubota assembles in Gainesville, Georgia.
What Is Next for Kubota?
Kubota has been investing in electric and autonomous tractor technology as part of a broader industry shift toward precision agriculture.
The company demonstrated its first concept electric tractor at major agricultural shows and is working toward commercializing battery-powered compact tractors for hobby and professional use.
Kubota continues to expand its US manufacturing capacity at Gainesville and has announced additional investment in the Georgia facility to support growing North American demand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Kubota Tractors Are Made
Is Kubota a Japanese company?
Yes. Kubota Corporation is a Japanese company founded in 1890 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan. It is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and operates as an independent corporation with no foreign parent company.
Are any Kubota tractors made in the USA?
Yes. Kubota assembles compact tractors, zero-turn mowers, and other equipment at its Gainesville, Georgia plant called Kubota Manufacturing of America. The plant has been operating since 1988 and is one of the company’s most important facilities outside Japan.
Does Kubota make its own engines?
Yes. Kubota is one of the few tractor manufacturers that designs and produces its own diesel and gasoline engines. Kubota engines are also sold to other equipment manufacturers and are considered among the most reliable compact diesel engines in the industry.
Is Kubota the best-selling tractor in the USA?
Kubota has held the title of best-selling tractor brand in the United States for multiple consecutive years, largely due to its dominance in the compact and sub-compact segments. John Deere leads in overall agricultural equipment market share, which includes large farm tractors and harvesting equipment.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.