Brandwave

Caterpillar vs Komatsu:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Caterpillar and Komatsu were level in searches among wheel loader brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 10 branded searches each, at 2% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about wheel loader brands, Caterpillar and Komatsu each appeared in four of the five answers. Caterpillar was mentioned before Komatsu in every answer.

Among wheel loader brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Caterpillar and Komatsu are searched for about as often as each other.

Caterpillar 10 searchesKomatsu 10 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.

Caterpillar in 4 of 5Komatsu in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Caterpillar, named ahead of Komatsu in every answer

Caterpillar first in 4Komatsu 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 and Komatsu were each mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Caterpillar was listed before Komatsu 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 Komatsu more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Caterpillar and Komatsu 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 Komatsu among wheel loader brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Caterpillar, Komatsu. 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 Komatsu comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Caterpillar took it in December 2025.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Caterpillar’s share of searches among wheel loader brands in New Zealand moved from 0% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 0 to 10.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Komatsu’s share of searches among wheel loader brands in New Zealand moved from 0% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 0 to 10.

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

1 change

  1. In September 2026, Komatsu gained share of searches among wheel loader brands in New Zealand, from 0% to 2%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

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

Komatsu

1 branded search term

  • komatsu 25

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among wheel loader brands

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