MOLINE, Illinois (September 20, 2011) – Deere & Company signed a new sales and marketing agreement with Honda Power Equipment to sell Honda power products at participating John Deere dealerships in the United States. Shipments of Honda inventory to John Deere dealerships will be phased in beginning in 2012.
Under the terms of the agreement, participating John Deere dealers will offer Honda's walk-behind lawnmowers, generators, tillers, water pumps and snow blowers. In addition, Deere said, it will no longer market John Deere-branded walk-behind mowers or walk-behind snow blowers in the U.S., in any sales channel, after 2012.
"Honda power equipment has earned a strong reputation for durability, quality and reliability – all which are important attributes to John Deere customers," said David Everitt, president of the Worldwide Agricultural and Turf Division at Deere. "For homeowners, our premium John Deere lawn tractors will continue to lead the way at our dealerships but will be complemented with the strong line of Honda power equipment products."
John Deere dealerships are independently owned and the company said all active dealers will be offered the opportunity to sell the Honda product line during a sign-up period beginning in late 2011. Deere said it may also consider the agreement for Canadian dealers in the future.
According to Scott Conner, vice president, Honda Power Equipment, "This new alliance with John Deere allows Honda Power Equipment to expand its reach by providing products that meet the high quality and reliability standards that John Deere customers have come to expect."
Customers who want to purchase a new Honda power product, or service an existing product, at a John Deere dealership will be able to do so at participating Deere dealers after the dealer is added to the Honda sales network. Deere said the program could take through 2013 to be completely phased in.