Brandwave

Caterpillar vs Hitachi:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Hitachi had more branded searches than Caterpillar among wheel loader brands in New Zealand. Hitachi had about 170 branded searches, while Caterpillar had 10. Hitachi made up 33.3% 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 Hitachi in one. Caterpillar was mentioned before Hitachi in every answer.

Among wheel loader brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Hitachi, about 17 searches for every 1 for Caterpillar

Hitachi 170 searchesCaterpillar 10 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Caterpillar, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Hitachi in 1

Caterpillar in 4 of 5Hitachi in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Caterpillar, named ahead of Hitachi in every answer

Caterpillar first in 4Hitachi never first

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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. Hitachi was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Caterpillar was listed before Hitachi in every answer.

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 Caterpillar or Hitachi more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Caterpillar and Hitachi 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.

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

Share of searches by month for Hitachi, 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 Caterpillar and Hitachi 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, Hitachi lost share of searches among wheel loader brands in New Zealand, from 41.2% to 33.3%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Caterpillar’s and Hitachi’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.

Caterpillar

1 branded search term

  • 303 cat excavator

Hitachi

1 branded search term

  • hitachi digger

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among wheel loader brands

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