Hitachi vs Kobelco:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Hitachi had more branded searches than Kobelco among excavator brands in New Zealand. Hitachi had about 280 branded searches, while Kobelco had 160. Hitachi made up 3.8% of all excavator brand searches we track, and Kobelco accounted for 2.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about excavator brands, Hitachi appeared in four of the five answers and Kobelco in two. Hitachi was mentioned before Kobelco in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Hitachi, about 75% more searches than Kobelco
Who does AI mention more?
Hitachi, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Kobelco in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Hitachi, named ahead of Kobelco in every answer
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Top excavator brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Hitachi was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Kobelco was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Hitachi was listed before Kobelco 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.
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
Kobelco2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 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 Hitachi or Kobelco more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Hitachi and Kobelco 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 Hitachi, Kobelco. 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 Hitachi and Kobelco comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Hitachi was ahead of Kobelco in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hitachi’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand moved from 2.8% to 3.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 230 to 280.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kobelco’s share of searches among excavator brands in New Zealand moved from 1.1% to 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90 to 160.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand excavator brands in September 2026?
2 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 Hitachi in New Zealand rose 21.7% over 12 measured months, from 230 to 280 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hitachi’s and Kobelco’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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