AGCO announced this week that its European-produced Challenger track tractors and sprayers are to be sold in Fendt colours in their European and Middle Eastern markets.

They will continue to be sold under the Challenger branding elsewhere in the world.

Production will also change from the existing plant in Grubbenvorst, Netherlands, to the Hohenmölsen production site near Leipzig in eastern Germany.

This is the plant where the Fendt Katana range of forage harvesters and Challenger trailed sprayers are currently produced. R&D will not move east and this will be kept in Grubbenvorst.

According to AGCO, Fendt dealers will be able to sell the Fendt track tractors and sprayers after Agritechnica 2017, with expected delivery in early 2018.

According to AGCO/Fendt CEO Peter-Josef Paffen: “Integration of the Challenger products into the Fendt product programme in Europe is another important step forward, and is in keeping with the Fendt full-line strategy.”