The World’s Best-Selling Tractor Brand Isn’t John Deere

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Here in the states, when someone says “tractor” it’s unsurprising if our subconscious brand recognition conjures up images of a green John Deere machine, plowing the fields of our imagination. But it turns out, the John Deere tractor brand only tops sales charts in North America. The world’s best-selling tractor brand isn’t green––it’s a bright red Mahindra.

A farmer uses a Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. tractor | Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

What’s America’s best-selling tractor brand?

The best-selling tractor brand in the U.S. is John Deere. The iconic green and yellow agriculture and landscaping equipment are sold across the country and throughout the world. Farmers in the field, suburb-dwelling folks deigning to appease a nosey HOA, professional landscape designers––you name it––all have their reasons for buying John Deere equipment. Regardless of the reason, many Americans buy John Deere tractors and various equipment.

a John Deere logo on a tall sign with blue cloudy skies
John Deere sign | Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

RELATED: The 2021 Toyota RAV4 vs. the 2021 Honda CR-V: Which Hybrid Is the Real Range Topper?

In fact, the tractor company saw a 34% increase in sales for the second quarter this year. Moreover, John Deere reports a change in the annual forecast that means the “full-year earnings forecast raised to range of $5.3 to $5.7 billion.” This American tractor manufacturer is currently enjoying incredible success. It’s not surprising in the least that Deere & Company is the most popular tractor brand in America.

It may not be the world’s best-selling tractor, but it’s a strong enterprise. That said, this is shaping up to be a very lucrative year for Deere & Company, the producer of John Deere tractors. The tractor brand competition is heating up in 2021.

Mahindra tops the charts as the world’s best-selling tractor brand

a red Mahindra tractor model on display
Mahindra Tractor | Laura McDermott/Bloomberg via Getty Images

RELATED: Most Reliable Riding Lawn Mower Brands According to Consumer Reports

The world’s best-selling tractor brand is India’s Mahindra. The Mahindra tractor brand has been around since the 1960s. According to Mahindra, one of the greatest reasons behind its high global standing is that it also produces the most tractors by volume.

Tractor Junction also reports that the Mahindra tractor brand is the best-selling brand. When it comes to selling tractors, no one beats Mahindra.

“Mahindra’s powerful and durable tractors and implements help to increase productivity in farms across the world.”

Tractor Junction

On top of being the best-selling tractor brand in the world, the Mahindra company has a reputation for listening to Its customers and delivering what they want and need, according to Tractor Junction. The tractor company from India is expected to produce a wide range of good feature tractors––depending on what farmers ask for.

The brand is also known for durability. Both the tractors themselves as well as various implements don’t only work toward increasing productivity in the agricultural industry. The company also builds products to last. In fact, Mahindra word the Deming Prize and the Japan Quality Medal. These are awards given to the top quality brands

Mahindra & Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector produces powerful and durable tractors and implements that help to increase productivity in farms across the world. In addition, Mahindra won the Deming Prize, which ultimately lead to its winning the Japan Quality Medal. This medal is given based on a business’ Total Quality Management. The Japan Quality Medal recognizes the high quality, control, and successful management of Mahindra & Mahindra’s Farm Equipment Sector.

Mahindra in the U.S.

RELATED: The Best Used Cars Under $10,000 According to Consumer Reports

Mahindra made it over to the U.S. in the late 1980s. The story goes that a man named Rip Evans took a trailer loaded with Mahindra tractors on a tour across America. The products impressed farmers, agricultural workers, and many other people. Soon after the promotional effort wrapped up, Mahindra & Mahindra’s Farming Equipment Sector opened its first U.S. location in Houston, TX.

Today, the company remains one of the top three tractor brands in America. In fact, the tractor company runs over 500 Mahindra dealer locations in the U.S. As the world’s top-selling tractor brand, it’s no surprise that there are Mahindra tractor assembly and distribution locations across the continent of North America. Locations include Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Canada, and Mexico.

John Deere tractors are great. That’s why it’s the top selling tractor brand in the U.S. But when it comes to worldwide sales, Mahindra is the global leader for tractor brands.

The post The World’s Best-Selling Tractor Brand Isn’t John Deere appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

How Much Can the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Tow?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Ford unveiled the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning earlier this month. The electrified version of the F-150 has plenty to offer both inside and out. From tech-savvy features to its all-electric powertrain, there’s no denying that this electric pickup has a lot going for it. But how much can the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning actually tow? Let’s find out.

Ford calls the 2022 F-150 Lightning the truck of the future

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat | Ford

First, let’s talk about the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning itself. According to Ford, this electric pickup is the truck of the future. It comes powered by dual in-board motors and is targeting an estimated 563-hp and 775 pound-feet of torque. As for how far this electric pickup can go? Well, according to Ford, you can count on the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning to deliver an EPA-estimated 230 miles of range. 

That’s not all the Ford F-150 Lightning has going for it either. In fact, this all-new electric pickup has several tech-savvy features worth checking out. Take, for example, available features like Ford Intelligent Backup Power. This feature boasts the ability to offload 9.6 kilowatts of power and, according to Ford, can keep your home’s lights on during a power outage while also powering things like home appliances, security systems, and more.

But how much can this all-new electric pickup actually tow?

RELATED: Is the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Better Than the PowerBoost Hybrid?

Now, let’s talk about how much the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning can tow. After all, if you’re shopping for a new pickup truck, odds are you want it to be able to tow a considerable amount of weight. The good news is that Ford claims its all-new electric pickup can tow up to 10,000-pounds when you choose an XLT or Lariat model with the truck’s extended-range battery and the Max Trailer Tow Package.

While the pickup’s max towing capacity is important, you might also find yourself asking what towing-oriented features the F-150 Lightning has to offer. Features like the Lightning’s available onboard scale uses the pickup’s sensors to determine payload weight and tell drivers how much they’re hauling with their truck. The F-150 Lightning is also available with Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, which is designed to make hitching trailers even easier.

How much you can expect to spend on this electric pickup

RELATED: Unveiled: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning EV For $40K-Affordable and Loaded

As for how much the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning costs? Ford wanted its new electric pickup to be among the most affordable new pickups on the market. That being said, base models start at $39,974, and that’s before potential EV tax credits. Meanwhile, the F-150 Lightning Pro, which can be optioned as an extended-range version with a targeted EPA-estimated 300-mile range, starts at $49,974.

As affordable as the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning may be, the bad news is that you’re going to have to wait a while to get your hands on one. In fact, this electric pickup won’t go into production until next year. The good news, however, is that Ford is accepting fully-refundable $100 deposits.

Should you buy the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning?

There’s really no denying that there’s a lot to like about the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning. But does that mean you should buy one for yourself? If you’re in the market for an all-electric pickup and don’t mind waiting until next year, then maybe. But if you’re after a new pickup truck now? Then you might want to check out other options.

The post How Much Can the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Tow? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Can You Drive a Left-Hand Car in Europe?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Europe has many countries with different car safety laws. So driving there can be a confusing experience for Americans. While there are plenty of great European cars to try, traffic rules may be a little different from what many Americans are used to. Here’s a look at which European countries allow driving in left-hand cars.

A history of traffic rules

According to WorldStandards, whether a country allows driving on the left or the right depends on its history. Nowadays, this debate over which side of the road people should drive on is done in jest, but it has a practical history. In the old days, people preferred to travel on the left side of the road because it would be dangerous to travel on their right, WorldStandards reports.

That’s because folks wanted to draw their swords to defend themselves if anything happened. This trend began to die down during the late 1700s when people preferred to travel on the right side of the road. This switch happened mainly because the peasants traveled on the right, and the rich didn’t want to attract negative attention to themselves by traveling on the opposite side.

By and large, this preference persisted into the automobile age. Most countries nowadays drive on the right with left-hand cars. But about 35 percent of the world still drives on the left with right-hand cars, WorldStandards shows. 

A stark divide between left and right

RELATED: The Most Common Driving Test Mistakes That Will Make You Fail

Practically speaking, most European countries are the same as America: They drive on the right with left-hand cars. In fact, only a handful of European nations drive on the left with right-hand cars, and they’re mostly countries with a strong connection to the United Kingdom, WorldStandards reports.

Those handful of countries are the U.K., Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta. Every other European country drives on the right with left-hand cars, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Russia. That said, it’s possible rules could change. According to WorldStandards, in the 1960s, the U.K. considered changing from left to right. However, that proposal eventually died. 

In any case, anyone visiting or living outside of those four countries can drive left-hand cars because the cars and roads aren’t much different from America’s. However, rules are slightly different in those four countries that drive on the left with right-hand cars.

Can you drive a left-hand car in European countries that drive on the left?

Before you rent or buy a left-hand car to drive in Europe, you’ll need an international driving permit. Once you have that, you can drive a left-hand car around just fine, since most of Europe drives on the right with left-hand cars as America does. But for the four European countries that drive on the left side with right-hand cars, the laws vary by country.

For example, it’s legal to own and drive a left-hand car in the U.K., Car Keys reports. This makes sense because most cars made in Europe are left-hand cars. So if any British people want to import a left-hand car, they can. That said, even though left-hand cars are allowed in the U.K., they still must travel on the left side of the road. This is a challenging experience, and it’s why folks should get a lot of practice first.

Other countries that drive on the left may have similar rules, but they vary. However, Americans in Europe can avoid all of those hassles by visiting a country that drives on the right with left-hand cars. Either that or they can take rideshares.

The post Can You Drive a Left-Hand Car in Europe? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Why Was Dodge Banned From NASCAR?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

NASCAR has a fairly intense history regarding regulation changes every year. That drive for change was one reason Dodge and the Dodge Daytona ended up banned from competing in NASCAR. What led up to that historic decision? A Hemi engine and a lot of winning.

Why did Dodge leave Nascar?

A 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona 440 1969 | Simon Clay. National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Back in the day, Chrysler still owned Dodge. The Chrysler Hemi engine, now known as the Hemi, was built. It has hemispherical combustion chambers that made it a popular choice for vehicles starting in 1951. Even a marine version of the engine was popular in boats back in the 1950s and 1960s.

Essentially, the Hemi engine was just too good. The Dodge Daytona was more powerful and more aerodynamic in comparison to other cars. The brand essentially set out to create a car that could win NASCAR races, and the Daytona did just that.

The Daytona was the first car to break 200 miles per hour during a race. It was so successful at winning that the Hemi engine cars ended up winning about 41% of the stock car races in the 1964 season. Each vehicle was either the 440 Mopar big-block V8 engine or the 426 Hemi V8, which helped with the domination.

The Dodge Daytona was banned for being too good at racing

RELATED: Are Dodge and Chrysler the Same Thing?

In 1969, the Dodge Charger Daytona was created for the sole purpose of taking home wins at NASCAR, Wikipedia says. At the first race of the season, the Dodge Charger Daytona won the Talladega 500. Buddy Baker broke the 200 miles per hour mark on March 24, 1970, at the same Talladega track. After that, the car won six more races.

The Dodge Daytona had a sister car, the Plymouth Superbird, that was created for similar reasons. The Superbird won eight races in 1970 and set numerous records in the same year.

After the Daytona broke the 200 miles per hour barrier, NASCAR officials started paying more attention to the car. Since the Daytona and the Superbird ended up dominating throughout the 1969 and 1970 seasons, it was over before it started.

NASCAR officials changed the rules to ban cars with certain attributes, like the huge wing these cars had. The wing even got these vehicles the nickname “Winged Warriors” due to the large wing. NASCAR banned both the aero features and the big, more powerful engines. Dodge, Ford, Mercury, and Plymouth were effectively banned by the changes made in 1970.

Post-NASCAR activities for the race-winning car

RELATED: How Fast Are Formula 1 Cars vs. Nascar and Other Race Cars?

According to Motorious, drivers, Harry Hyde and Bobby Isaac used the post-NASCAR time to set some more records. The duo paired up with the Dodge Daytona again and headed off to the Bonneville Salt Flats.

In 1971, Issac and the Daytona took to the salt flats to set some land speed records. As a matter of fact, the pair set 28 records with it. This included a flying mile at over 216 miles per hour, Steve Lehto told Road & Track. In conclusion, that’s not a bad way to go out, even if your NASCAR days are over.

The post Why Was Dodge Banned From NASCAR? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by