The Chinese YTO Group is eyeing up the European tractor market with a new range of French-built tractors branded as Mancel.
The tractor highlight from the recent SIMA show, all four models (11hp-145hp) in the F5 Series are assembled at the former Argo Tractors transmission facility in Saint-Dizier, France, which YTO acquired in 2011, and previously had a long history of making IH tractors.
Nearly all of the main components, including the rear axle and four-stage powershift, are made at Saint-Dizier. Powered by 4.5-litre, four-pot FPT Stage V SCR blocks, with the exception of the suspended Carraro front axle, all other parts, including the cab frame, lights, body panels and mirrors are sourced locally. The plan is to make 100 tractors next year and quickly grow the numbers. Mancel is also working on other tractor projects, including more powerful models.
The company plans to show the finished versions of the F5s at Agritechnica later this year. The new French tractor maker is also keen to talk to potential dealers in a number of countries, including the UK and Ireland, but says not to expect to see anything this side of the Channel until 2021 at the earliest.
More details in the April issue.
