cruzenmike
Well-Known Member
This really is sad news especially if it might eventually lead to products like the Vanguard engine or the the generator line going away. Obviously nobody knows he long term ramifications of this filing but let's hope that in the end Briggs comes out of this with a more simplified portfolio of products that helps them to re-establish themselves as a global leader of small engines.
Then all they need to do is to offer a line of dependable, reasonably priced engines that equipment manufacturers will pick over their own "branded" ones made in China. I am not saying that Chinese engines are bad, it's just that companies like MTD made the switch to Chinese engines only because it was favorable to their profits.
If all else fails, in the end we will have a completely Chinese made rider at Home Depot for $2000 or an American made John Deere at the dealer for $4000. I do not think that this bodes well for even the premium brands as it will hedge cost against quality and in an ever increasingly expensive world to live in, people will eventually choose cost savings first.
Then all they need to do is to offer a line of dependable, reasonably priced engines that equipment manufacturers will pick over their own "branded" ones made in China. I am not saying that Chinese engines are bad, it's just that companies like MTD made the switch to Chinese engines only because it was favorable to their profits.
If all else fails, in the end we will have a completely Chinese made rider at Home Depot for $2000 or an American made John Deere at the dealer for $4000. I do not think that this bodes well for even the premium brands as it will hedge cost against quality and in an ever increasingly expensive world to live in, people will eventually choose cost savings first.
