Excavator brands in New Zealand:Which are most popular?
In September 2026, Terra Cat was the most searched excavator brand in New Zealand, accounting for 32.4% of all searches among the 13 brands we track. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Caterpillar showed up in every answer. Komatsu was recommended most often, coming first in one out of four responses that gave a list.
Terra CatShare of searches 32.4%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 9th
KubotaShare of searches 23.1%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
CablePriceShare of searches 13.5%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
CaterpillarShare of searches 6.2%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
SumitomoShare of searches 6.2%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
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Top excavator brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Caterpillar appeared every time. Komatsu was recommended most often, coming first in one out of four answers that gave a list. Kubota was second, and Hitachi was third. Sumitomo, which ranked fifth in searches, was not mentioned at all.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Caterpillar5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Kubota4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Hitachi4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Komatsu4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Terra Cat3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- CablePrice3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Takeuchi3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Yanmar2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Sany2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Kobelco2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Bobcat1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Sumitomo0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
JCB0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about excavator brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which excavator brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best excavator brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best excavator brand in New Zealand for earthmoving work?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best excavator”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“mini excavator brands”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Which excavator brands do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each excavator brand by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 13 excavator brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Terra Cat, Kubota, CablePrice, Caterpillar, Sumitomo, Hitachi, Yanmar, Sany, Kobelco, Takeuchi. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Terra Cat | Kubota | CablePrice | Caterpillar | Sumitomo | Hitachi | Yanmar | Sany | Kobelco | Takeuchi | Bobcat | Komatsu | JCB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 34.7% | 19.5% | 19.1% | 5.3% | 5.5% | 2.8% | 2.5% | 2.2% | 1.1% | 2% | 2% | 1.7% | 1.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 34.7% | 22.9% | 15.6% | 4.9% | 5.5% | 3.7% | 3.1% | 1.9% | 0.72% | 1.8% | 2% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 36.1% | 23.6% | 15.1% | 5.7% | 5.3% | 2.7% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.8% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.8% | 20.3% | 16.5% | 5.5% | 4.7% | 3.6% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.76% | 1.9% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 2.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 30.8% | 25.5% | 16.7% | 6.5% | 5.1% | 3.2% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 2.3% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 1% |
| Mar 2026 | 30% | 28.7% | 16.6% | 5.8% | 4.1% | 3.5% | 2.2% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 1.9% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 1.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 32% | 25.4% | 13.3% | 6.1% | 5.3% | 3.3% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 2.1% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 2.8% | 1.6% |
| May 2026 | 33% | 22.8% | 14.8% | 6.5% | 4.9% | 3.2% | 3.6% | 1.8% | 2.2% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.9% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 32.5% | 26.2% | 14.6% | 6.1% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 2.9% | 2% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 39.4% | 17.7% | 13.6% | 6.4% | 5.8% | 3.8% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 1.6% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 39.6% | 18.3% | 14.3% | 5.8% | 5.4% | 3.9% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 1.7% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 32.4% | 23.1% | 13.5% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 3.8% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 2.2% | 2% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 0.94% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 32.4% | 2.4K | -33.3% | -7.3 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 23.1% | 1.7K | +3% | +4.8 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 13.5% | 1K | -23.1% | -0.8 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 6.2% | 460 | -13.2% | +0.4 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 6.2% | 460 | -6.1% | +0.8 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 3.8% | 280 | -20% | -0.1 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 3.5% | 260 | 0% | +0.6 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 2.4% | 180 | -10% | +0.2 points | |
| 9, moved from 12th to 9th | 2.2% | 160 | +23.1% | +0.7 pointsmoved from 12th to 9th | |
| 10, held 10th | 2% | 150 | 0% | +0.4 points | |
| 11, moved from 9th to 11th | 1.9% | 140 | -17.6% | 0 pointsmoved from 9th to 11th | |
| 12, moved from 11th to 12th | 1.9% | 140 | 0% | +0.3 pointsmoved from 11th to 12th | |
| 13, held 13th | 0.94% | 70 | -30% | -0.2 points |
32.4%
Held 1st. 2.4K estimated branded searches, -33.3% vs prior month. Share -7.3 points.
2.
Kubota23.1%
Held 2nd. 1.7K estimated branded searches, +3% vs prior month. Share +4.8 points.
13.5%
Held 3rd. 1K estimated branded searches, -23.1% vs prior month. Share -0.8 points.
6.2%
Held 4th. 460 estimated branded searches, -13.2% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
5.
Sumitomo6.2%
Held 5th. 460 estimated branded searches, -6.1% vs prior month. Share +0.8 points.
6.
Hitachi3.8%
Held 6th. 280 estimated branded searches, -20% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
7.
Yanmar3.5%
Held 7th. 260 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.
8.
Sany2.4%
Held 8th. 180 estimated branded searches, -10% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
9.
Kobelco2.2%
Moved from 12th to 9th. 160 estimated branded searches, +23.1% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
10.
Takeuchi2%
Held 10th. 150 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
11.
Bobcat1.9%
Moved from 9th to 11th. 140 estimated branded searches, -17.6% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
12.
Komatsu1.9%
Moved from 11th to 12th. 140 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.
13.
JCB0.94%
Held 13th. 70 estimated branded searches, -30% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
Which brand is most popular in search among excavator brands in New Zealand?
13 brands
In September 2026, Terra Cat was the most searched among excavator brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 2.4K branded searches, 32.4% of all searches for the 13 we track. Kubota is in 2nd place, 9.3 percentage points behind at 23.1%.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Cat | 34.7% → 32.4% | 39.6%Aug 2026 | 30%Mar 2026 | 1st |
| Kubota | 19.5% → 23.1% | 28.7%Mar 2026 | 17.7%Jul 2026 | 2nd |
| CablePrice | 19.1% → 13.5% | 19.1%Oct 2025 | 13.3%Apr 2026 | 3rd |
| Caterpillar | 5.3% → 6.2% | 6.5%Feb 2026 | 4.9%Nov 2025 | 5th → 4th |
| Sumitomo | 5.5% → 6.2% | 6.2%Sep 2026 | 4.1%Mar 2026 | 4th → 5th |
| Hitachi | 2.8% → 3.8% | 3.9%Aug 2026 | 2.7%Dec 2025 | 6th |
| Yanmar | 2.5% → 3.5% | 3.6%May 2026 | 2.2%Mar 2026 | 7th |
| Sany | 2.2% → 2.4% | 2.4%Sep 2026 | 1.5%Jan 2026 | 8th |
| Kobelco | 1.1% → 2.2% | 2.2%May 2026 | 0.72%Nov 2025 | 13th → 9th |
| Takeuchi | 2% | 2.4%May 2026 | 1.5%Apr 2026 | 10th |
| Bobcat | 2% → 1.9% | 2%Nov 2025 | 1.4%Dec 2025 | 9th → 11th |
| Komatsu | 1.7% → 1.9% | 2.8%Apr 2026 | 1.4%Dec 2025 | 12th |
| JCB | 1.7% → 0.94% | 2.7%Jan 2026 | 0.94%Sep 2026 | 11th → 13th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Terra Cat’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand decreased from 34.7% to 32.4%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kubota’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand increased from 19.5% to 23.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, CablePrice’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand decreased from 19.1% to 13.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Caterpillar’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand increased from 5.3% to 6.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sumitomo’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand increased from 5.5% to 6.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hitachi’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand increased from 2.8% to 3.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Yanmar’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand increased from 2.5% to 3.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kobelco’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand increased from 1.1% to 2.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, JCB’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand decreased from 1.7% to 0.94%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Terra Cat’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand peaked at 39.6% in August 2026 and was lowest at 30% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kubota’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand peaked at 28.7% in March 2026 and was lowest at 17.7% in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, CablePrice’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand peaked at 19.1% in October 2025 and was lowest at 13.3% in April 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Caterpillar’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand peaked at 6.5% in February 2026 and was lowest at 4.9% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sumitomo’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand peaked at 6.2% in September 2026 and was lowest at 4.1% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hitachi’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand peaked at 3.9% in August 2026 and was lowest at 2.7% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Yanmar’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand peaked at 3.6% in May 2026 and was lowest at 2.2% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kobelco’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand peaked at 2.2% in May 2026 and was lowest at 0.72% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Komatsu’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand peaked at 2.8% in April 2026 and was lowest at 1.4% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, JCB’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand peaked at 2.7% in January 2026 and was lowest at 0.94% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Caterpillar rose from 5th to 4th among excavator brands in New Zealand.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sumitomo fell from 4th to 5th among excavator brands in New Zealand.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kobelco rose from 13th to 9th among excavator brands in New Zealand.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bobcat fell from 9th to 11th among excavator brands in New Zealand.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, JCB fell from 11th to 13th among excavator brands in New Zealand.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sany, Takeuchi and Komatsu held steady: their share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand excavator brands in September 2026?
8 changes
In September 2026, Kobelco overtook Bobcat and 2 others to rank 9th among excavator brands in New Zealand, with 2.2% of the searches.
In September 2026, Kubota gained share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand, from 18.3% to 23.1%.
In September 2026, Sumitomo gained share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand, from 5.4% to 6.2%.
In September 2026, Yanmar gained share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand, from 2.9% to 3.5%.
In September 2026, Terra Cat lost share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand, from 39.6% to 32.4%.
In September 2026, CablePrice lost share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand, from 14.3% to 13.5%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Hitachi in New Zealand rose 21.7% over 12 measured months, from 230 to 280 in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for JCB in New Zealand fell 50% over 12 measured months, from 140 to 70 in September 2026.
Compare popularity between leading brands
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- CablePrice vs Caterpillar: compare popularity
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