At the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2012), Navistar Inc. announced its plans to expand its collaboration with Chinese truckmaker Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co. Ltd. (JAC). At a signing ceremony in conjunction with the tradeshow, Navistar and JAC signed non-binding letters of intent (LOI) to partner on new commercial vehicle opportunities:
• Light-duty truck export opportunities from JAC in China to Navistar dealers in Brazil; and
• Design, development, manufacturing and distribution of school buses for the Chinese market.
Navistar and JAC are exploring new export opportunities for certain models of JAC’s light- and medium-duty truck line to select Navistar truck dealers in Brazil. Through these potential opportunities, JAC would export certain light- and medium-duty cab-over commercial trucks to complement the existing medium- and heavy-duty aero-nose commercial trucks sold under Navistar’s International truck brand in those markets.
“We have an ongoing partnership with JAC to produce MaxxForce diesel engines, and this new agreement adds further collaboration between our companies,” says Waldey Sanchez, president, Navistar South America. “This agreement will result in new business opportunities for Navistar’s International truck dealer network in Brazil, boosting our product portfolio with new truck models.”
“As we await the final authorizations of our joint venture agreements with JAC, we are excited to enter the Chinese market and bring our expertise to China,” said Troy Clarke, president, Navistar Asia Pacific. “As part of the next stage of our collaboration, we’re excited for the opportunity to import JAC trucks into a key growth market like Brazil.”
Navistar also will collaborate with JAC Motor and its related party, a Chinese bus and chassis manufacturer, on a number of school bus opportunities, including potentially importing IC Bus brand school buses into China, as well as the design, development and distribution of school buses manufactured in China for the Chinese market. Navistar also would partner with JAC and Chinese government officials to lend its school bus safety expertise and share best practices.
