Further proof that compact equipment sales have escaped the significant downturn felt by heavy equipment sales in the past year is shown in Doosan Bobcat’s Q4 and 2020 results. Boosted by a global sales increase of 8 per cent in Q4 — including a 9 per cent increase in North America — Doosan Bobcat's total 2020 sales saw a 6.2 per cent decline. Though an annual sales decline is always bad news for a company, Bobcat's 2020 dip was much lower than the double-digit revenue decreases reported for 2020 by Cat, Deere and Volvo, to name a few.

In addition, the company says it expects sales this year to continue to rebound – so much so it’s expecting a nearly 19 per cent sales growth in North America, growing from $2,664 million in 2020 to $3,174 million by the end of 2021.

In making this forecast, Doosan Bobcat anticipates the U.S. housing market to remain strong along and federal infrastructure investment to increase. It also expects increased sales of its new R-Series compact track loaders and skid steers, along with its compact excavators. (Ninety-four of the company’s 2020 revenues came from compact equipment.)