Caterpillar vs JCB:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Caterpillar had more branded searches than JCB among excavator brands in New Zealand. Caterpillar had about 460 branded searches, while JCB had 70. Caterpillar made up 6.2% of all excavator brand searches we track, and JCB accounted for 0.94%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about excavator brands, Caterpillar appeared in all five answers and JCB in none.
Who do people search for more?
Caterpillar, about 7 searches for every 1 for JCB
Who does AI mention more?
Caterpillar, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Caterpillar, the only one of the two named
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Top excavator brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Caterpillar appeared in all five answers. 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
Sany2 of 5Named in 2 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.
Is Caterpillar or JCB more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Caterpillar 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 Caterpillar, 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 Caterpillar and JCB comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Caterpillar was ahead of JCB in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Caterpillar’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand moved from 5.3% to 6.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 440 to 460.
- 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?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for JCB in New Zealand fell 50% over 12 measured months, from 140 to 70 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
10 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Caterpillar’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.
Caterpillar
8 branded search terms
- 303 cat excavator
- 306 cat excavator
- 308 cat excavator
- 349 cat excavator
- bruder cat excavator
- cat digger
- cat excavator
- rc cat excavator
JCB
2 branded search terms
- jcb digger
- jcb excavator
Other head-to-heads among excavator brands
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