Cat 320 vs Komatsu PC200 — which should I buy?
Buy Cat 320 where Caterpillar dealers are strong (Nigeria, Kenya, Philippines, UAE); buy Komatsu PC200 where Komatsu support dominates (Indonesia, Vietnam, Russia). Komatsu is ~10% more fuel-efficient; Cat holds resale better.
The headline answer
If your market has strong Caterpillar dealer presence, buy the Cat 320. If you're in Indonesia, Vietnam, or Russia where Komatsu service is dense, buy the Komatsu PC200. In a tie, Komatsu wins on fuel, Cat wins on resale.
Fuel economy
Operator reports consistently put the PC200-8 at 15–18 L/h in mixed work versus 17–20 L/h for a Cat 320D under similar conditions — roughly 10% less fuel for Komatsu.
Parts and resale
Caterpillar has the world's largest dealer network (over 175 dealers in 192 countries), which matters in long-tail African markets. That support shows up in resale: a 5-year-old Cat 320 retains about 55–65% versus 52–60% for a PC200. The gap is real but small — and the PC200 is typically 8–12% cheaper to buy up front, so net lifetime cost is roughly a wash.
Which holds value better in Africa?
Cat 320 — its denser dealer network makes it the safer resale bet in most African markets, retaining about 55–65% over five years.
Which uses less fuel?
Komatsu PC200-8, by about 10% (15–18 L/h versus 17–20 L/h for a 320D).
What about buying a Chinese brand instead?
A Sany SY205C or XCMG XE215 delivers ~90% of the capability at 65–75% of the price, but with weaker resale and parts outside major markets.