Brandwave

Bobcat vs Caterpillar:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Bobcat had more branded searches than Caterpillar among wheel loader brands in New Zealand. Bobcat had about 140 branded searches, while Caterpillar had 10. Bobcat made up 27.5% of all wheel loader brand searches we track, and Caterpillar accounted for 2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about wheel loader brands, Caterpillar appeared in four of the five answers and Bobcat in none.

Among wheel loader brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Bobcat, about 14 searches for every 1 for Caterpillar

Bobcat 140 searchesCaterpillar 10 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Caterpillar, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Bobcat in 0

Caterpillar in 4 of 5Bobcat in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Caterpillar, the only one of the two named

Caterpillar first in 4Bobcat never named

Follow Bobcat vs Caterpillar and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top wheel loader brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Caterpillar was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Bobcat did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Caterpillar1st
  2. Komatsu2nd
  3. Volvo Construction Equipment3rd
  4. Hitachi4th
  5. Bobcat–
  6. JCB–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Caterpillar4 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
  • Volvo Construction Equipment3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Hitachi1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Bobcat0 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 wheel loader brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Bobcat or Caterpillar more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Bobcat and Caterpillar by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six wheel loader brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Bobcat and Caterpillar among wheel loader brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Bobcat, Caterpillar. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthHitachiBobcatVolvo Construction EquipmentJCBCaterpillarKomatsu
Oct 202531.8%38.6%9.1%20.5%0%0%
Nov 202538.6%38.6%9.1%11.4%0%2.3%
Dec 202529%29%22.6%16.1%3.2%0%
Jan 202636.8%28.9%23.7%10.5%0%0%
Feb 202637.8%29.7%18.9%13.5%0%0%
Mar 202637%30.4%15.2%15.2%2.2%0%
Apr 202637.8%29.7%10.8%18.9%2.7%0%
May 202638.6%31.8%11.4%15.9%2.3%0%
Jun 202631.1%37.8%15.6%11.1%2.2%2.2%
Jul 202637%30.4%19.6%10.9%2.2%0%
Aug 202641.2%33.3%13.7%9.8%2%0%
Sep 202633.3%27.5%27.5%7.8%2%2%

How has the Bobcat and Caterpillar comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand wheel loader brands in September 2026?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, Bobcat lost share of searches among wheel loader brands in New Zealand, from 33.3% to 27.5%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bobcat’s and Caterpillar’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Bobcat

1 branded search term

  • bobcat digger

Caterpillar

1 branded search term

  • 303 cat excavator

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among wheel loader brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free