Warrenville, IL (October 25, 2006) - International Truck and
Engine Corporation, the principal operating subsidiary of Navistar International
Corporation (NYSE: NAV), today announced it will build new, modern Class 8
"big-bore" diesel engines in Huntsville, Ala.
The new engines, the
largest in the MaxxForce™ family of commercial-truck diesel engines, will be
built at a new assembly plant in Huntsville. The investment cost is not being
disclosed.
More than 175 employees are expected to work at the new
facility. Full production at Huntsville will begin in spring 2008. Initial
engines will be partially assembled in Germany and finished and trimmed in
Huntsville and will be available beginning in fall 2007.
The new
facility will be an assembly only operation. Core engine components will be
sourced globally from suppliers and shipped to the plant.
"Huntsville
was selected to produce these new 'big-bore' truck diesel engines because of our
strong workforce in Huntsville and its clear track record of building
high-quality engines at a competitive cost," said Dan Ustian, chairman,
president and chief executive officer, Navistar International Corporation.
"These new Class 8 truck diesel engines are big news," said Alabama Gov.
Bob Riley, who made the announcement with International officials in Huntsville.
"The State of Alabama is proud to be a part of this. Today truly is a terrific
day for Alabama, Huntsville and International Truck and Engine Corporation."
Branded MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13, the engines are an Inline
6-cylinder big-bore design in the 11-to 13-liter displacement class. The engines
will serve the Class 8 truck market, which is the largest commercial truck
segment in North America.
The International big-bore class of engines
will be offered exclusively in International® ProStar™ line-haul tractors,
International® 8600 regional-haul tractors and International® 7000 Series severe
service trucks.
"The MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13 big-bore products are
yet another example of our strategy at International to deliver great products
to our customers at a competitive cost structure to assure profitable growth for
our company and its shareholders," said Jack Allen, president, Engine Group,
International Truck and Engine Corporation.
"This is the first
heavy-duty Class 8 truck engine designed in and for the 21st century, taking
advantage of recent materials and technology advances," said Jacob Thomas, vice
president, Big Bore Diesel Engines Business Unit, International Engine Group.
"We are integrating an industry-leading big-bore engine that features
outstanding fuel economy, excellent power characteristics and low noise,
vibration and harshness with an aerodynamic International cab and rock-solid
chassis that together will set a new benchmark in the Class 8 market," said
Thomas.
International's current Huntsville plant – International Diesel
of Alabama, LCC – produces engines for International® trucks, as well as Ford
trucks and vans.
"Since we began operations in Huntsville in 2002, we've
built more than 375,000 V-6 and V-8 diesel engines," said Donna Miller, plant
manager of International Diesel of Alabama. "We have a world-class team
dedicated to building the best-quality engines. Now we're proud to be home to
MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13."
International is the world's No. 1
diesel-engine maker across the 160 to 350 horsepower range. In North America,
International has nearly a 50 percent share of the diesel pickup engine market
and 40 percent of the market for medium-duty commercial trucks and buses. In
South America, International has more than a 50 percent market share in the
mid-sized pickup/SUV segment and accounts for nearly 40 percent of all diesel
engines produced.
Beginning in January, MaxxForce will become the
signature brand of International's family of global on-highway commercial truck
engines. For more information, visit http://www.maxxforce.com/.
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is the parent company of
International Truck and Engine Corporation. The company produces International®
brand commercial trucks, MaxxForce brand diesel engines and IC brand school
buses, Workhorse brand chassis for motor homes and step vans, and is a private
label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and
SUV markets. The company is also a provider of truck and diesel engine parts and
service. A wholly owned subsidiary offers financing services. Additional
information is available at: http://www.nav-international.com/.
Forward
Looking Statements
Information provided and statements contained in
the presentation that are not purely historical are forward -looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the
Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements only speak as of the date of the presentation and the
company assumes no obligation to update the information included in the
presentation. Such forward-looking statements include information concerning our
possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our
business strategy. These statements often include words such as "believe,"
"expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate" or similar expressions.
These statements are not guarantees of performance or results and they involve
risks, uncertainties and assumptions , including the risk of continued delay in
the completion of our financial statements and the consequences thereof, the
availability of funds, either through cash on hand or the company's other
liquidity sources, to repay any amounts due should any of the company's debt
become accelerated, and decisions by suppliers and other vendors to restrict or
eliminate customary trade and other credit terms for the company's future orders
and other services, which would require the company to pay cash and which could
have a material adverse effect on the company's liquidity position and financial
condition. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based
on reasonable assumptions, there are many factors that could affect our actual
financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. For a further
description of these factors, see Exhibit 99.1 to our Form 8-K filed on April
12, 2006. In addition, until the previously announced review by the company of
its accounts is concluded, no assurance can be given with respect to the
financial statement adjustments, impacts and period resulting from such review,
if any, nor can there be any assurance that additional adjustments to the
financial statements of the company will not be identified.