1995 - 2005: Canadians fall in love with Kubota’s first-of-its-kind Rugged Utility Vehicle
Responding to the needs of customers and requests from dealers nationwide, Kubota introduced an all-new category within the UTV space in 2004 when it debuted Canada’s first Rugged Utility Vehicle.
In what could only be described as love at first sight, Canadians were quick to climb aboard the Kubota RTV, kicking off an enduring relationship that’s made it the #1 Selling Diesel Pure Utility Vehicle in Canada ever since.
Combining the all-terrain mobility and agility of a UTV with the power and work-force durability of a tractor, the RTV-900 immediately fulfilled a market need for an industrial quality utility vehicle upon its launch two decades ago.
While competitors were in market with lighter, less reliable gas UTVs, the RTV-900 was built from the ground up with Kubota tractor DNA, offering hard-working Canadians a heavy-duty diesel utility vehicle from a brand known for producing the best diesel engines in the industry.
Since Kubota already had a reputation for building the best compact tractors, its RTV was an easy sell to customers who understood the benefits of purchasing a cross between a tractor and UTV. Like a tractor, it featured a diesel engine, a hydrostatic transmission (an industry first), enclosed wet disc brakes (also an industry first), hydraulics to run power steering, a bed lift and other useful features.
Farmers and estate owners were the first to adopt the RTV-900, but it quickly found its way into municipal and construction markets that valued its heavy-duty characteristics and ease of operation.
In the 20+ years since its launch, Kubota has made major improvements to the suspension, operator comfort and ease of use of its industry-leading RTV line-up, adding four seat models, factory cab models, long bed models and small frame models. We’re also the only manufacturer to offer ProKonvert 3-way open cargo box, an innovative bed design that opens from either side, or the rear, making it easier to load bulkier or odd shape cargo.
Best of all, the original rugged spirit of the RTV still shines through today in the two newly updated models of Kubota’s RTV-X Series lineup, the RTV-X CAB and RTV-X CREW, which deliver true utility performance and durability to farmers, commercial operators, homeowners, and other operators with the new features our customers expect.