Bobcat vs JCB:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Bobcat had more branded searches than JCB among excavator brands in New Zealand. Bobcat had about 140 branded searches, while JCB had 70. Bobcat made up 1.9% of all excavator brand searches we track, and JCB accounted for 0.94%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about excavator brands, Bobcat appeared in one of the five answers and JCB in none.
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Top excavator brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Bobcat was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. JCB 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.
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
Bobcat1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 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.
Is Bobcat or JCB more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bobcat and JCB 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 Bobcat, JCB. 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% |
How has the Bobcat and JCB comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: JCB took it in December 2025, Bobcat took it in February 2026, JCB took it in April 2026, Bobcat took it in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bobcat’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand moved from 2% to 1.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 170 to 140.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, JCB’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand moved from 1.7% to 0.94%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 140 to 70.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand excavator brands in September 2026?
3 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.
Estimated monthly branded searches for JCB in New Zealand fell 50% over 12 measured months, from 140 to 70 in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Bobcat in New Zealand fell 17.6% over 12 measured months, from 170 to 140 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bobcat’s and JCB’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.
Other head-to-heads among excavator brands
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