Daedong will run AI tractor test-drives at 29 dealerships across South Korea, expanding direct buyer access to its autonomous machinery line.

The Korean agricultural equipment manufacturer is widening a test-drive programme that previously ran at a smaller number of sites, according to Chosunbiz. The 29-dealership count gives South Korean farmers more routes to evaluate autonomous equipment before purchase.

What is Daedong offering?

The test-drive programme puts AI tractors into dealer premises where farmers can operate the machines under supervised conditions. Buyers can assess autonomous driving, implement control and in-cab operator-assist features on working units rather than relying on static displays or trade-show demonstrations.

AI tractors in this segment typically combine GNSS-guided auto-steering, implement automation and remote-monitor functions, with the operator's role shifting from continuous control to supervision. Daedong's specific feature set for the South Korean market has not been detailed in the Chosunbiz report.

The 29 dealerships sit within Daedong's domestic retail network. No breakdown of regional distribution has been disclosed in the coverage, and it is not clear whether the sites are concentrated in the major agricultural provinces or spread evenly across the country.

Why does a dealer test-drive matter?

Autonomous tractor capability is difficult to evaluate from a brochure. Hands-on operation lets buyers test how the system handles changing ground conditions, how the in-cab interface responds, and whether the autonomous functions deliver in a working environment.

A dealer-led test-drive also gives farmers a direct line to technical staff who can answer questions about software updates, fault handling and service support. That practical interaction is the part of the purchase decision the manufacturer controls, and Daedong is using the 29-site footprint to anchor it.

For a category still in early commercial adoption, dealer-led demonstration is a critical part of buyer education. Farmers who have not operated an autonomous unit before need supervised exposure before committing capital, and a 29-site network shortens the travel distance to that experience.

The expansion also signals Daedong's commercial confidence in its AI tractor line. Moving from a smaller pilot to 29 dedicated demonstration points suggests the manufacturer has working inventory to allocate test-drive units across the network without disrupting retail sales stock.

What should buyers ask at the test-drive?

Farmers attending a test-drive should focus on the limits of the autonomous system rather than the headline capability claims. Useful lines of enquiry include how the tractor handles GPS signal loss near tree lines or buildings, the maximum continuous working window without operator intervention, and the process for software updates once the unit is delivered.

Pricing for the AI-equipped range has not been disclosed in the Chosunbiz report, and farmers should ask the dealer directly about list price, finance terms and any available purchase support before booking a test-drive.

What comes next?

The 29-dealership rollout sets a domestic benchmark for AI tractor retail access in South Korea. Watch for Daedong's next product announcement, which should confirm whether the 29 sites run scheduled demo slots year-round, the horsepower range of the test-drive fleet, and the timeline for any further expansion of the programme.

For now, prospective buyers should contact their nearest Daedong outlet to confirm demo-unit availability, since a public test-drive calendar has not been published in the Chosunbiz coverage.