I think the dealer network has a lot to do with it for a couple reasons. First people don't want to buy a machine that doesn't have a dealer nearby. Second, if there is a dealer nearby, enough dealers do not take enough time explaining the benefits and operation of the Fendt.  If you don't show someone all of the features, they'll never know if they like it.  That is what the dealer in our are a has done an excellent job of, showing people the benefits and then letting the machines sell themselves from there on.  Its worked well for them and they move a pile of them.

Ignorance is another large part of it. As one other person mentioned, Farmers especially multi generation grain farmers, are very reluctant to break out of their bubble.  If grandpa ran Case then thats what they will run.  On the flipside, Fendt is a brand that Brand loyal people can switch to without feeling like they are "cheating" on their heritage.  Theres also the patriotic folks.  They see it as being foreign made and don't want anything to do with it. Thats fine by me, but the ones who feel foreign stuff is inferior are the people I will argue with.  The American stuff sure isn't superior, look at Good Year tires, they are an American company yet I bet many people would buy the Foreign French tire before the Goodyear, even though both tires are made in the US enough times anyways. Theres a point where its really more about finding whats best for your operation than worrying about petty things like COO.  Same reason I have a lot of German tools instead of Snap-On, they simply do it better and you get more for your money. Many American companies add a premium for the "Made In USA" sticker but do not stick that money into actual quality or innovation. I'm not trying to be anti American, but its the way many things have worked out for me in the past when comparing companies. 

I think people are somewhat intimidated by Fendt's too, or others lead them to believe it will be intimidating.

There's also the fact that many people simply don't need the features of a Fendt.

I know I enjoy all of the features and benefits and finally after too many years will have one of our own this fall.

The Fendt CVT will pull with the power shift of anyone else and do it with less fuel because of better engine management.  I watched a Fendt 930 in the field pulling a 7 shank ripper against a JD 8530 and a JD 9330. It pulled the ripper 1 mph faster than the 8530 on less fuel and .3 mph faster than the 9330 on less fuel. That farm was all green until that demo and the Fendt is still there today about 4 years later. There are a number of early 926's in the area around the 10,000 hour mark that are still going strong with no major work done. They do tillage, mowing, planting, work on the silage piles and everything else.

I thought I heard they make hay out there in the west in some places.  A Fendt on a triple mower is very tough to beat for putting hay down.

924 and 926 are very different from what things look like now.  About like saying I never liked that 1086 so I won't buy a MX305.

Sounds like someone did a poor job or showing you the tractor for a demo.  Hydraulic detents can be set for different detent times. Even if set for a detent time you can still feather and implement without kicking in the detent. ISO works great with Pottinger mowers.  There are many of them running in the area here. Nothing needs to be locked when you start it up.  It is all in how you have things setup.  I hate having hydraulics locked at start up so they are set so that is not the case. If visibility over the hood was a concern you should take a look at the 700 series.  A 724 has the same HP and a much smaller hood area so you get a much nicer view.

One bad thing with a demo is when the salesman either does not know the equipment or does a poor job showing its capabilities. It leaves the person trying it out thinking it is not that good of thing to have.  Many demos are lost because of poor setup. 

It seems like the 800's are having a tough time.  The 700's have the same HP as the small 800's and are cheaper with most of the same features.  If you need the bigger HP most people pay the extra and go to a 900 to get the full suspension and other things.

1- ugly
2- no dealers around here
3- see them at Big Iron and on to the next show
4-ugly
5-same as 2
6-same as 3 

Look up ugly in the dictionary and you will find a picture of a Fendt.

Central Equipment must be your new Fendt dealer, eh?  Hall Brothers dropped their Massey dealership recently as well. Nice features but they just weren't selling.  

 My choice for a blueberry transmission is the 48/48 in the Kubota M105S or M108S. Simple, mechanical, cheap, with LOTS of speed choices. They're still available without tier 4 emissions gizmos as well.

Your neighbor liked the Fendt because the rims are the same color as the older Olivers.