Doosan Bobcat to release updated zero-turn mower in U.S.

Doosan Bobcat’s redesigned zero-turn mower. [DOOSAN BOBCAT]

Doosan Bobcat will start selling a redesigned version of its zero-turn mower, a type of riding lawnmower, in North America later this month.

Doosan Bobcat, 51.05 percent owned by Doosan Infracore, announced Wednesday that it would start selling the mower in mid-September. The redesigned model has a more comfortable design, with ergonomic controls, pedals and gauges to ensure operation is easy, according to the company.

Before the redesign, Doosan Bobcat sold the original model designed by Pennsylvania-based Schiller Ground Care, which manufactures gardening, landscaping and turf care equipment.

Doosan Bobcat acquired the zero-turn mower business from the U.S. company last year.

Around 810,000 zero-turn mowers are sold a day, with annual sales standing at $4.8 billion in North America, according to Doosan Bobcat. The business reported 7.8 percent average annual growth over the past five years.

Doosan Bobcat hopes to raise 100 billion won ($84.03 million) in sales through the zero-turn mower business this year, and double that sales amount by 2024.

“Despite the impact of Covid-19, the landscape market in North America continues to grow on the increase of hobby farmers that garden or raise crops as a hobby, showing a stable growth rate,” said a spokesperson for Doosan Bobcat in a statement.

The company plans to expand its ground maintenance equipment lineup. Doosan Bobcat started selling compact tractors in North America in September.

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]