Caterpillar vs Volvo Construction Equipment:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Volvo Construction Equipment had more branded searches than Caterpillar among wheel loader brands in New Zealand. Volvo Construction Equipment had about 140 branded searches, while Caterpillar had 10. Volvo Construction Equipment 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 Volvo Construction Equipment in three. Caterpillar was mentioned before Volvo Construction Equipment in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Volvo Construction Equipment, about 14 searches for every 1 for Caterpillar
Who does AI mention more?
Caterpillar, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Volvo Construction Equipment in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Caterpillar, named ahead of Volvo Construction Equipment in every answer
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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. Volvo Construction Equipment was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Caterpillar was listed before Volvo Construction Equipment in every answer.
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.
- 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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which wheel loader brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best wheel loader brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best wheel loader brand in New Zealand for construction work?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best wheel loader”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“small wheel loader”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Caterpillar or Volvo Construction Equipment more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Caterpillar and Volvo Construction Equipment 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.
Share of searches by month for Volvo Construction Equipment, Caterpillar. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Hitachi | Bobcat | Volvo Construction Equipment | JCB | Caterpillar | Komatsu |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 31.8% | 38.6% | 9.1% | 20.5% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.6% | 38.6% | 9.1% | 11.4% | 0% | 2.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 29% | 29% | 22.6% | 16.1% | 3.2% | 0% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.8% | 28.9% | 23.7% | 10.5% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 2026 | 37.8% | 29.7% | 18.9% | 13.5% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 2026 | 37% | 30.4% | 15.2% | 15.2% | 2.2% | 0% |
| Apr 2026 | 37.8% | 29.7% | 10.8% | 18.9% | 2.7% | 0% |
| May 2026 | 38.6% | 31.8% | 11.4% | 15.9% | 2.3% | 0% |
| Jun 2026 | 31.1% | 37.8% | 15.6% | 11.1% | 2.2% | 2.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 37% | 30.4% | 19.6% | 10.9% | 2.2% | 0% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.2% | 33.3% | 13.7% | 9.8% | 2% | 0% |
| Sep 2026 | 33.3% | 27.5% | 27.5% | 7.8% | 2% | 2% |
How has the Caterpillar and Volvo Construction Equipment comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Volvo Construction Equipment was ahead of Caterpillar in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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, Volvo Construction Equipment’s share of searches among wheel loader brands in New Zealand moved from 9.1% to 27.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40 to 140.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand wheel loader brands in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Volvo Construction Equipment gained share of searches among wheel loader brands in New Zealand, from 13.7% to 27.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Caterpillar’s and Volvo Construction Equipment’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
Volvo Construction Equipment
1 branded search term
- volvo construction equipment
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