Germany-based Claas took center stage with the launch of an upgraded version of its EVION 580 smart combine harvester, tailored specifically for the Southeast Asian market. Building on the success of its October 2025 debut in China, the new EVION 580 features enhanced adaptability to tropical crop conditions and undulating terrains, equipped with a 261-horsepower Cummins engine, an 8,000-liter grain tank, and an advanced 3D cleaning system that reduces grain loss to below 0.8% . Joachim Oldenburg, Vice President of Harvest Machinery Sales at Claas Group, emphasized the brand’s commitment to localized innovation: “The upgraded EVION 580 integrates our global technological expertise with on-the-ground insights from Southeast Asian farmers, particularly in terms of four-wheel drive performance and hydraulic protection systems.”

Claas also showcased its record-breaking JAGUAR 1200 forage harvester, which set a new Guinness World Record in June 2025 by harvesting 4,096 tons of silage in 12 hours with an average fuel consumption of just 0.49 liters per ton . “This achievement demonstrates that peak harvesting performance stems from the seamless synergy of power, intelligent systems, and operational efficiency,” said Dominik Grothe, Senior Vice President of Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters at Claas Group. The company revealed plans to introduce the JAGUAR 1200 to the Australian and New Zealand markets in early 2026 to meet the growing demand for high-capacity forage harvesting.

John Deere used the summit to announce updates to its Integrated Harvest Intelligence (IHI) platform, integrating its latest G5Plus CommandCenter displays with StarFire™ receivers to deliver enhanced precision agriculture capabilities . The upgraded platform enables real-time equipment health monitoring, with alerts sent directly to farmers’ WeChat accounts, and supports ISO BUS implement compatibility for seamless operation with a wide range of farming tools. Sarah Johnson, Director of Precision Agriculture at John Deere Asia-Pacific, stated: “Our goal is to make precision harvesting more accessible and intuitive for farmers across the region. The G5Plus-enabled IHI platform provides personalized operation reports and real-time vehicle tracking, helping farmers boost efficiency by up to 18%.”

The U.S. manufacturer also highlighted its ongoing commitment to localized production in China, following the announcement of a $50 million joint venture earlier this year to produce smart harvester components. Johnson added that the joint venture is on track to begin production in Q2 2026, with a focus on meeting the specific needs of China’s large-scale plantations.

Case IH, a brand of CNH Industrial, showcased its award-winning Axial-Flow 260 series combine harvesters, which recently earned the prestigious AE50 Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) . The Axial-Flow 260 series integrates cutting-edge technology with no subscription fees for integrated features, delivering improved harvesting efficiency and quality. Marco Turati, Global Product Manager at Case IH, noted: “The Axial-Flow 260 series is designed to meet the diverse needs of farmers worldwide, with enhanced reliability and simplified maintenance processes.”

Case IH also provided an update on its electric harvester prototype development, confirming that trials will begin in New Zealand and Japan in early 2026. The zero-emission models, equipped with swappable battery packs and regenerative braking systems, are projected to reduce operational costs by 35% compared to diesel counterparts. Turati added that the electric harvesters will complement the brand’s existing product lineup, aligning with the region’s growing focus on carbon neutrality.

Industry analysts at the summit highlighted the strong growth trajectory of the Asia-Pacific agricultural machinery market, with smart harvesters emerging as a key driver. Data presented at the event showed that China’s combine harvester exports rose 26.03% year-on-year in October 2025, with Southeast Asia and South Asia as major destinations. David Chen, Senior Analyst at AgriTech Insights, commented: “Brands like Claas, John Deere, and Case IH are well-positioned to capitalize on this growth by combining global technological leadership with localized innovation. Farmers in the region are increasingly prioritizing smart, efficient, and sustainable harvesting solutions that deliver measurable returns.”

The 2025 Asia-Pacific Agricultural Technology Summit will run until December 22, with Claas, John Deere, and Case IH scheduled to host hands-on demonstrations of their latest harvester technologies for attendees.