Kioti tractors are made by Daedong Corporation, a South Korean agricultural machinery manufacturer founded in 1947 in Daegu, South Korea, that uses the Kioti brand name for all tractors sold in North America and Europe.
Kioti, pronounced “coyote,” is one of the most respected compact and utility tractor brands in North America, known for building all of its major components in-house including engines, transmissions, hydraulic systems, and cabs.
Daedong Corporation is publicly traded on the Korea Stock Exchange and is headquartered in Daegu, South Korea, with its North American subsidiary Daedong-USA, Inc. headquartered in Wendell, North Carolina.
Knowing that Daedong produces Korea’s first tractor, first engine, first plow, and first combine harvester helps explain Kioti’s deeply integrated manufacturing capability and consistent reliability record in North America.
This article covers who makes Kioti tractors, where they are produced, who owns the brand, its history, how it compares to a rival, and whether the tractors are any good.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Makes Kioti Tractors?
Kioti tractors are made by Daedong Corporation, which designs, engineers, and manufactures tractors, UTVs, zero-turn mowers, and all major powertrain components in-house.
Daedong is notable for manufacturing its own engines, unlike many tractor brands that source engines from third parties, giving it full control over power output, efficiency, and long-term parts supply.
The company ended a 20-year OEM partnership with John Deere in February 2025, after which Daedong began aggressively expanding its own Kioti lineup into higher horsepower segments previously served by the Deere-supplied models.
Daedong also supplies engines to Doosan Bobcat under a 2023 agreement, reflecting its standing as one of the most capable engine manufacturers in the Korean agricultural machinery sector, as confirmed in Daedong’s company profile.
Where Are Kioti Tractors Made?
Kioti tractors are manufactured in South Korea at Daedong’s production facilities, which have been based in Daegu and surrounding South Korean locations since the company’s founding.
All manufacturing, including engine production, transmission assembly, and final tractor assembly, takes place in South Korea under Daedong’s in-house production process.
Some larger Kioti models use Perkins engines sourced from the UK, though the majority of the lineup uses Daedong’s proprietary engine designs.
Distribution and service for the North American market is managed from Daedong-USA’s headquarters in Wendell, North Carolina, with a Canadian distribution center in Mississauga, Ontario, opened in 2018.
Who Owns Kioti Tractors?
Kioti is owned by Daedong Corporation, which changed its name from Daedong Industrial Co., Ltd. to Daedong Corporation in March 2021.
Daedong established Kioti USA in 1993 to distribute its North American tractor line, making Kioti one of the longest-tenured Korean tractor brands in the United States market.
Daedong made its first appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2025, showcasing AI-driven precision farming technology under the theme “AI to the Field,” reflecting its ambition to become a global leader in smart agricultural machinery.
The company’s history and ownership are documented at Kioti’s official about page.
What Is the History of Kioti?
Daedong Corporation was founded in 1947 in Daegu, South Korea, initially as a metal casting company before shifting its focus to agricultural machinery.
The company produced Korea’s first engine in 1949, Korea’s first plow in 1962, Korea’s first tractor in 1968, and Korea’s first combine harvester in 1971, establishing itself as the pioneer of South Korean agricultural mechanization.
Daedong entered the US market in 1982 and established the Kioti USA subsidiary in 1993, operating from Wendell, North Carolina, to manage the rapidly growing North American compact tractor demand.
After ending its John Deere supply partnership in February 2025, Daedong launched its own GX series mid-sized tractors and expanded the HX series into higher horsepower ranges, accelerating Kioti’s move upmarket.
Kioti Tractors vs Kubota Tractors: How Do They Compare?
Kioti and Kubota are the most frequently compared brands in the North American compact tractor market, both offering orange-colored compact tractors with similar horsepower ranges.
Kubota has a significantly larger dealer network, longer North American history, and stronger brand recognition, typically commanding a price premium of 10 to 20% over comparable Kioti models.
Kioti competes on value, in-house manufacturing depth, and a 6-year powertrain warranty on models under 60 horsepower, which exceeds Kubota’s standard warranty coverage.
For buyers who want maximum powertrain warranty coverage and strong value from a vertically integrated manufacturer, Kioti holds a compelling advantage over Kubota at comparable price points.
Are Kioti Tractors Any Good?
Kioti tractors are widely regarded as one of the best values in the compact and utility tractor market, consistently praised by owners and dealers for durability, fit and finish, and long service life.
Daedong’s in-house engine manufacturing means Kioti tractors are less dependent on outside suppliers for critical powertrain components, contributing to their reliability record.
The 6-year powertrain warranty on sub-60-horsepower models is one of the strongest in the compact tractor category, reflecting Daedong’s confidence in its manufacturing quality.
Parts availability continues to improve as the Kioti North American dealer network expands, though buyers in rural areas should verify local dealer proximity before purchasing.
For buyers seeking a genuinely in-house-manufactured compact tractor with strong warranty terms, proven South Korean engineering, and competitive pricing versus Kubota and John Deere, Kioti is among the clearest value recommendations in the market.
For more on related South Korean tractor brands, see Who Makes LS Tractors and Who Makes RK Tractors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kioti Tractors
Who makes Kioti tractors?
Kioti tractors are made by Daedong Corporation, a South Korean manufacturer founded in 1947 in Daegu. Kioti is the brand name Daedong uses for tractors sold in North America and Europe.
Where are Kioti tractors made?
Kioti tractors are made in South Korea at Daedong Corporation’s manufacturing facilities. All major components including engines, transmissions, and hydraulic systems are produced in-house by Daedong.
How is Kioti pronounced?
Kioti is pronounced “coyote.” The name and coyote logo reflect the brand’s positioning as a capable, tenacious workhorse for North American farmers and property owners.
What warranty do Kioti tractors carry?
Kioti tractors under 60 horsepower carry a 6-year limited powertrain warranty and a 2-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. Attachments carry a 1-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
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.