McCormick tractors are made by Argo Tractors S.p.A., a family-owned Italian holding company headquartered in Fabbrico, Reggio Emilia, Italy, which acquired the McCormick brand and its European manufacturing rights from Case IH in 2000 and 2001.
McCormick is a premium tractor brand with American historical origins dating to Cyrus Hall McCormick’s invention of the mechanical reaper in Virginia in 1831, now built in Italy by the Morra family’s Argo Group with a range covering 24 to 310 horsepower.
Argo Tractors is privately held by the Morra family, founded by Valerio Morra in 1980, and also owns the Landini and Valpadana tractor brands, which are all manufactured at five Italian factories in the Reggio Emilia region.
Knowing that Argo manufactures 65% of tractor components in-house, including cabs, axles, and drivelines, helps explain McCormick’s reputation for consistent quality and precision engineering at a competitive price relative to larger global brands.
This article covers who makes McCormick 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 McCormick Tractors?
McCormick tractors are made by Argo Tractors S.p.A., which produces McCormick, Landini, and Valpadana branded tractors from its Italian manufacturing complex in the Reggio Emilia region.
Argo manufactures three of the four major tractor components in-house, producing cabs, axles, and drivelines internally while sourcing engines from established external partners including FPT and Deutz.
The McCormick lineup runs from the sub-compact X1.25H at 24 horsepower to the flagship X8.680 at 310 horsepower, covering everything from vineyard and orchard tractors to large row-crop and mixed-farming machines.
Argo Tractors has a 2018 partnership with International Tractors Limited of India, which supplies McCormick-licensed tractors in the 45 to 90 horsepower range exclusively for low-regulation markets, as confirmed on Argo’s official announcement.
Where Are McCormick Tractors Made?
McCormick tractors are manufactured entirely in Italy at Argo Tractors’ five factories in Fabbrico, San Martino in Rio, and Luzzara, all located in the Reggio Emilia province of northern Italy.
Production moved entirely to Italy in 2007 after Argo closed the former Case IH Doncaster, England plant that it had operated since the McCormick acquisition, with the last tractor rolling off the Doncaster line in December 2007.
The Fabbrico complex, which is also Argo’s headquarters, includes dedicated facilities for cab production with a maximum capacity of 105 cabs per day using advanced robotic manufacturing technology.
Argo also distributes McCormick through 12 global trading branches and 130 foreign importers, covering the worldwide market from its Italian manufacturing base.
Who Owns McCormick Tractors?
McCormick is owned by Argo Tractors S.p.A., which is part of the privately held Argo Group controlled by the Morra family of Italy.
Argo acquired the McCormick tractor brand and the Doncaster England factory from Case IH in 2000 and 2001, as Case IH was required to divest assets by European Union regulators following the merger that formed CNH Global.
Valerio Morra founded the Argo Group in 1980, building it through a series of acquisitions including Landini from Massey Ferguson in 1989, Valpadana in 1995, and McCormick in 2001.
Argo’s full corporate history and brand portfolio are documented in Argo’s company profile.
What Is the History of McCormick?
The McCormick name in agriculture dates to 1831, when Cyrus Hall McCormick invented the mechanical reaper at his family farm in Raphine, Virginia, revolutionizing grain harvesting and laying the foundation for modern mechanized agriculture.
In 1902, the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company merged with Deering Harvester and others to form International Harvester, later Case IH, which used the McCormick brand until the CNH Global merger forced its divestiture in 2000.
Argo acquired the brand and began a new chapter, relaunching McCormick in 2001 as a premium European tractor brand and consolidating all production in Italy by 2007 after closing Doncaster.
The McCormick X7.6 VT-Drive was named a Tractor of the Year 2025 finalist, confirming the brand’s continued engineering competitiveness nearly 25 years after its rebirth under Argo.
McCormick Tractors vs New Holland Tractors: How Do They Compare?
McCormick and New Holland are both European-rooted tractor brands competing in the mid to high horsepower professional farming market, but from very different corporate positions.
New Holland is backed by CNH Industrial’s global manufacturing scale, 11,500-dealer distribution network, and annual investment in sustainable technology including hydrogen and methane prototypes.
McCormick is a family-owned Italian brand with more focused product development, higher in-house manufacturing integration at 65% of component value, and a premium positioning within a smaller but dedicated dealer network.
For farmers who value Italian craftsmanship, family-owned independence, and in-house manufacturing depth, McCormick offers a distinctive alternative to the larger CNH and AGCO brands.
Are McCormick Tractors Any Good?
McCormick tractors are consistently praised by professional farmers and agricultural journalists for build quality, cab comfort, and strong hydraulic performance across their horsepower range.
The X7.6 VT-Drive’s selection as a Tractor of the Year 2025 finalist reflects the brand’s sustained engineering excellence and its ability to compete with the largest brands at the top of the professional tractor market.
Argo’s 65% in-house component manufacturing ratio gives McCormick superior cost and quality control compared to brands that source more components externally.
McCormick’s main trade-off for North American buyers is a smaller dealer network than John Deere, New Holland, or Case IH, meaning service availability varies significantly by region.
For professional farmers in Europe or regions with strong McCormick dealer coverage who want a premium Italian-built tractor with 190 years of American agricultural heritage behind the name, McCormick is a compelling and well-engineered choice.
For more on related tractor brands, see Who Makes RK Tractors and Where Are Mahindra Tractors Made.
Frequently Asked Questions About McCormick Tractors
Who makes McCormick tractors?
McCormick tractors are made by Argo Tractors S.p.A., a family-owned Italian company controlled by the Morra family. Argo acquired the McCormick brand from Case IH in 2000 and 2001.
Where are McCormick tractors made?
McCormick tractors are made entirely in Italy at Argo Tractors’ five factories in the Reggio Emilia province, including main plants in Fabbrico, San Martino in Rio, and Luzzara.
Is McCormick still an American brand?
The McCormick name has American historical origins dating to 1831, but McCormick tractors today are owned and manufactured by Argo Tractors, an Italian family-owned company. There is no American corporate connection to the modern brand.
What horsepower range do McCormick tractors cover?
McCormick tractors range from 24 horsepower on the sub-compact X1.25H series to 310 horsepower on the flagship X8.680, covering compact, specialty, standard, and high-horsepower professional farming applications.
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.