Quote History
Many of todays (lower cost ) mowers/riders are owned and built by AYP/Electrolux. If you see a Home Center/Tractor Supply with mowers out front, it's generally built by AYP according to that Company's specs, or what used to be a Company. Some names live on through buyouts. Craftsmen, Husqvarna, Cub Cadet, John Deere, Husky, Scotts, and many others.
And, there's Cub Cadet, JD, Husqvarna where they are built by the real company. Sears/Craftsmen is not a company. They always sold mowers built by someone else.
Only time I've found where a genuine mower comes from real Company is if, say a Tractor/home center is also the "dealer/seller/parts/service" for that Company where they get/have genuine parts.
I've seen it happen with John Deere's from Lowes. Guy's JD broke down and he took to Deere to get fixed. NOPE, can't repair, we don't carry parts for those. Take to mower shop.
If you're looking for a new mower and you only want a real mower, built by that company, you need to ask anymore, if it's not sold by a dealership.