Are John Deere Tractors Made in America?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s no secret that John Deere is one of the best tractor brands out there. It’s the most popular brand for tractors in the U.S. and one of the leading brands worldwide. But are John Deere tractors made in America? 

John Deere tractor | Bill Allsopp/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Let’s take a look at some history of Deere & Company. It turns out that the iconic green John Deere tractor brand is steeped in American history. But how did it all begin? 

It began with a simple steel plow

John Deere plows | Deere & Company

In the 1830s, a blacksmith from Vermont named John Deere decided to head out west and make a home with his family in Illinois. Inspired by the need to tame and till large plots of wildland with sticky clay soil, Deere invented the steel plow in 1837. Its design was an instant success and soon became a commercial product. 

Fast forward to 1918 and that’s when the company broke into the tractor business. The first two John Deere tractor models were called the Waterloo Boy and the John Deere Tractor. Deere & Company maintained a vested interest in the farmers of America. 

In fact, in 1931 during the Great Depression, the company reached out to help U.S. farmers. By taking over bank notes and extending the terms of payment when it could, John Deere gained loyalty that has lasted generations. According to John Deere, even the logo has remained the same for over 100 years. 

“Our leaping deer trademark is recognized worldwide. Created over a century ago, it’s the longest continuously used corporate logo of any Fortune 500 company.”

John Deere | Deere & Company

Are John Deere tractors made in America?

John Deere tractors manufactured within the Deere & Company corporate umbrella are pretty much as American as it comes. They’ve been made in America for over a century. However, since the company is a worldwide entity that means not every tractor is actually manufactured on U.S. soil. 

So it remains an American tractor company. However, the place of manufacturing is perhaps a little more diluted than some may think. But whether a tractor is made here or in Brazil, we can assume that Deere still strives to uphold its quality standards. 

What models are still made in the U.S?

a John Deere tractor in front of a John Deere sign on a sunny day
John Deere tractors | Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

According to All American Reviews, “they do continue to manufacture a large majority of their tractors (like the 7R, 8R, and 9R series) in Waterloo, Iowa and Grovetown, Georgia.” U.S. farmers can rest assured that several of their favorite John Deere models are still made right here on U.S. soil. 15 of Deere & Company’s manufacturing facilities are in the U.S. in addition to the 17 factories that the company produces Deere products in across the globe. 

John Deere tractors are produced in 9 countries around the world. There are three factories in Brazil that manufacture tractors and harvesters. More John Deere equipment is produced in factories in Argentina, Finland, France, two in Germany, The Netherlands, and in four factories in India. Plus, there are two John Deere factories in Mexico. 

Deere & Company 

John Deere is one of the best tractor brands in history. Deere & Company is certainly one of the oldest tractor companies. In addition, it’s a recognized fortune 500 company––a global entity. 

So that means that yes, John Deere products are made in America. But not all of them. Depending on the model, a John Deere tractor could actually have to travel far and wide just to work it’s first day on U.S. soil.

RELATED: 3 of the Best Compact Tractors on the Market

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Desperate Buyers Grab New Cars in Colors They Don’t Want

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There’s an unexplainable thrill that comes with shopping around for a new car. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your first car or an upgrade to the latest model; the excitement is always on another level. Well, car buying should be an exciting experience, especially when you can get the right color, model, and trim right within your budget. 

In a Bloomberg article, it’s clear that when there is a shortage of cars, buyers will grab the cars of their choice from dealerships trading off color for availability. At the beginning of 2021, car sales surged by 8 percent as people snapped what they could get in anticipation to return to their offices. This comes after a mass vaccine rollout that has seen millions of Americans vaccinated against COVID-19. 

The rising demand for new vehicles 

At this time of the year, most people are going for new cars because they don’t want to use public transport. This trend increases the demand for vehicles in a market where there is already a shortage of vehicles. As a result, car buyers are buying cars with certain features and specs they don’t like. Also, the demand for used cars is on the rise. People with tight budgets are going for used cars to avoid public transit.  

According to Bloomberg, since factories reopened last summer, there has been an increase in demand for new cars as people look for new rides. Retail deliveries are soaring high leaving consumers with fewer choices to make. If one gets the car with the right performance and specs, they can easily trade off color.  

Strong Q1 car buying results for the auto industry 

One of the primary reasons there are few cars in the inventories is because of the chip shortage. CNBC has revealed that the semiconductor chip shortage is likely to cost the global auto industry $110 billion in revenue in 2021. The pandemic prevented chip manufacturers from producing enough chips for the market. In most factories across the world, social distancing measures and associated coronavirus regulations paralyzed the production process. 

Impulse car buying accelerated sales in 2021 as folks were afraid of impending car shortages. This is reflected in CNBC’s report showing that car sales rose despite the chip shortage due to high demand. The report shows that improved car buying has increased sales for Volkswagen, Toyota Motor, Hyundai Motor, Stellantis, General Motor, Kia Motors, and Ford Motor. CNBC owes the increasing demand to stimulus funds, reopening of the economy, and increased vaccination rates. 

Also, according to Forbes, the spike in demand for new cars in Q1 of 2021 will extend to Q2. The auto market has rebounded in response to a better economic environment than 2020. Forbes adds that most auto dealerships are likely to record high sales this year. Automotive News corroborates this by demonstrating how Toyota, Hyundai, and Honda have already recorded decent car sales in Q1.  

Car buying for normally unwanted vehicles

Because of chip shortages and supply chain problems caused by the pandemic, there are fewer new cars for sale than usual. Buyers are forced to purchase the available cars without paying much attention to colors and other niceties.

Color isn’t the only factor car buyers are foregoing in 2021. As consumers avoided public transport in most part of 2020, they flocked showrooms and bought whatever met their transport needs and budgets. This has continued through to 2021 where stimulus checks and impressive vaccination rates are boosting car sales. 

RELATED: Buying a Used Car in 2021 Could Be a Bad Idea

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How Comfortable is the 2021 Nissan Altima?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Nissan Altima has been a long-standing option for affordable reliability, whether you are looking to buy one new or used one. The Altima goes head to head with many other competitive sedans in its segment, such as the Honda Accord, but the 2021 Nissan Altima has one big factor that makes it stand out from the competition — it’s one of the most comfortable cars of its class. In fact, the interior comfort is only one of the vehicle’s most notable factors, but just how comfortable is the 2021 Nissan Altima?

Nissan Altima | Raymond Boyd, Getty Images

How comfortable is the 2021 Nissan Altima?

From the looks of it, and most certainly the price, you might not expect anything extravagant from the 2021 Nissan Altima. For the price, its modern and sporty appearance is matched with a high-tech interior, but it is also surprisingly comfortable.

The quiet cabin offers a comfortable ride quality with surprisingly well-padded and comfortable seats. While it isn’t incredibly sporty to drive, it offers a smooth acceleration and braking experience that make it pleasant to drive and ride in even on rougher, less maintained roads.

a red nissan altima on display
Nissan Altima | Michael Brochstein, SOPA Images, LightRocket, Getty Images

With a high overall rating of 80, the 2021 Nissan Altima receives the checkmark of recommendation from Consumer Reports. There are several factors that the website takes into consideration when recommending a vehicle to show that it is overall worth purchasing, and all of them have individual scores to show consumers what areas the vehicle excels in or needs work.

For the 2021 Nissan Altima, the overall scores for the major categories rated by Consumer Reports are: road test, predicted reliability, and predicted owner satisfaction. In all three categories, the Nissan Altima does well, earning it a recommendation from the website.

RELATED: Consumer Reports Most Reliable and Affordable New Cars

Comfort and convenience

The 2021 Nissan Altima offers comfort and convenience for the driver and all of the passengers. As a capable but affordable sedan, the front and rear seats offer a surprising amount of space for all passengers, including ample legroom and headspace even with the sporty roofline.

It also offers plenty of trunk space and cargo capacity, with some models offering the option for fold down seats to increase the rear cargo capacity. The seats are plush and comfortable, fit with well-designed trim pieces that makes the car feel modern.

RELATED: 2020s Standard Sedans That Make Great Commuter Cars

Overall, the 2021 Nissan Altima is a comfortable and capable vehicle for the price, with plenty of trim levels to offer among the price tiers that offer more or less luxuries, features, and tech.

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There Are Many Cheaper Sports Cars Than the Toyota GR 86

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Now in its second generation, the newly-named 2022 Toyota GR 86 has more power and better looks than the previous model. And it is fairly inexpensive for what Toyota provides. The 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine gives you 231 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Though Toyota hasn’t announced pricing, expect it to be like its identical twin Subaru BRZ at $28,845. 

2022 Toyota GR 86 and Subaru BRZ coupes | Toyota

RELATED: The Toyota 86 Gives You Speed at the Right Price

But for some, that’s still a heavy hit. If your budget is around $20,000 or less there are some great alternatives. Here are six of them to consider.

1990-2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata

The 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata made the list of fast cars
The 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata made the list of fast cars | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Everyone’s go-to affordable sports car, there are enough Miatas sold each year to give you a variety of choices and conditions. Though the four-cylinder engines available in the Miata are a bit down on power, the light weight makes up for it. The result is a little screamer-especially with the Mazsaspeed version in the NB generation. 

Prices start at around $6,000 in most areas but obviously, the best condition will warrant a higher price. Decent NA versions can be snagged for between $14,000 to $20,000. These earlier Miatas won’t be cheap for long as they’re getting a following as a collector car. 

2000-2009 Honda S2000

white 2009 S2000
2009 Honda S2000 | Honda

Still looking great after being out of production for over 10 years, the Honda S2000 garners higher prices. But it is already headed for collector car status so now is the time to pick one up. You might be able to trade up for a GR 86 a few years from now with an S2000 as trade bait. 

The VTEC AP1 enjoys 240 hp from the 2.0-liter banger. The facelifted AP2 version from 2004-on got bored to 2.2-liters which you’ll mostly feel as low-end torque. The flat hood got a little more character but either version is sought after. 

2008-2013 BMW 1 Series

BMW 1 Series coupe in orange
2008 BMW 1 Series | BMW

While the 2 Series coupe is closer to the GR 86 it is too high-priced for this comparison. The BMW 1 Series available as a 128i, 135i, and 135is will run around $14,000 to $20,000. The 3.0-liter six-cylinder pumps out 230 hp. 

If that’s not enough there is the twin-turbo 135i cranking things up to 300 hp. By 2010 the single-turbo 135is increased power to 320 horses. But finding one may prove difficult with so few made. Still, you can’t go wrong with any 1 Series version.

2006-2012 Porsche Cayman

2010 Porsche Cayman front 3/4 view
2010 Porsche Cayman | Porsche

Many will say a used Porsche is a better choice than a new GR 86. Who are we to argue? And they’re starting to dip below the $20,000 threshold as they age. 

The 2.7-liter flat-six engine pumps out almost 250 hp. There is also the Cayman S with the 3.4-liter and almost 300 hp. These are barely into $20,000 territory but worth holding out for if you’re up for negotiating above that figure. 

2009-2020 Nissan 370Z

2019 nissan 370Z in blue
Nissan 370Z | Nissan

Though later years haven’t sold nearly in the same numbers as earlier versions, they’re all great sports cars. For around $12,000 there are some really clean 370Zs. And don’t forget they come with a 3.7-liter V6 with over 330 hp. 

If you can hold out for a Nismo model the power is upped to 350 hp. The upcoming Z is based on this architecture so it is a relevant, contemporary package-even if a 2012 or 2013 model. And they come in both convertible and coupe flavors, though the coupe works better for track days. 

2013-2020 Scion FRS, Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ

2013 Toyota 86 white
2013 Toyota GT 86 | Toyota

Obviously, if you’re really hot for a new GR 86, the next best thing is its used version. As you already know, the BRZ and 86 are twins, and the Scion FRS was the predecessor to the 86. Same car, different name. There are FRS versions for under $10,000, but we’d be wary of these mostly used-up examples. 

With the 86 not appearing until 2017 they are a bit higher-roughly $17,000-18,000 for starters. Externally, only small fascia changes separate the BRZ from the 86. Shoot for the lowest-mileage version you can afford, and definitely check the CarFax for previous issues.

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