Navistar Formally Announces Distribution of International Trucks
11 September 1998
Navistar Formally Announces Distribution of International Trucks at Brazil Inauguration
CHICAGO, Sept. 10 -- Navistar International Corporation,
today formally announces the start of its distribution of
International(R) brand medium and heavy trucks to customers in Brazil.
An inauguration ceremony in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, to officially
mark the occasion today will be attended by Governor for the state, Vicente
Bogo, recognizing that Navistar is the first new truck manufacturer to
establish roots in Brazil since 1979.
In addition to positioning Navistar as a significant player in Brazil's
truck and automotive industry, the move also provides an opportunity for the
company to expand its presence in the Mercosul market. Brazil alone has a
well-established truck and automotive industry, with more than 40,000 medium
and heavy trucks sold per year.
Navistar is the leading producer of medium and heavy trucks and school
buses in North America and a world leader in the production of mid-range
diesel engines. Navistar's initial product offerings in Brazil include North
America's leading medium truck line, the International 4000 series, and the
International 9000 series of premium heavy trucks.
"We are excited to be up and running in Brazil. It presents a great
opportunity for Navistar to serve customers who want the reliability and
durability of International trucks," says Navistar's executive vice president
and president, truck group, Don DeFosset. "In addition to the potential
its market size affords, Brazil has the kind of infrastructure, supplier base
and workforce that makes it attractive for us to be there, with a bright
future. It also allows us to capitalize on the geographic proximity of
Argentina, Uruguay and Chile under the Mercosul agreement."
"We intend to be a market leader in the Americas and, with this in mind,
we are entering Brazil with one of the broadest lines of trucks available,"
DeFosset says.
Navistar's International brand of trucks are supported by a sales and
service dealer network in Brazil. The dealers there feature the same high-
quality parts and service support standards the company receives from its
dealers in North America.
"Navistar's quality-oriented dealer network and support system will
provide world class standards of service parts and support, resulting in
superior benefits, quality, and consistency to customers," DeFosset says.
Within the next two years, 40 dealerships are expected to open throughout
Brazil.
According to Navistar's Group Vice President for Overseas Operations,
Dennis Webb, the International brand already has strong recognition in Brazil.
"Our reputation in quality sales and service support, as well as superior
product technology, innovation, and productivity, will help to position us as
a market leader here very quickly," he says.
"Productivity, durability and reliability are key benefits that
International trucks bring to Brazil. Coupled with the fact that the life-
cycle cost of vehicle operation is lower than that of our competitors, we are
expecting to create a high level of acceptance and are poised for growth,"
Webb continues.
As the US export leader in Latin America, Navistar International brand
trucks are designed for the toughest of Brazilian road conditions. All trucks
are tried and tested in rough terrain to provide customers with unparalleled
quality and reliability.
"Our truck technology is considered to be more advanced than competitive
models currently available in Brazil, making International trucks an advantage
for our customers," says Webb.
Navistar International Corporation, with world headquarters in Chicago,
and 1997 annual sales of $6.4 billion, is the leading North American producer
of heavy and medium trucks and school buses. Navistar maintained its position
as the leader in the combined US and Canadian retail markets for medium and
heavy trucks and school buses in the third quarter, achieving a 28.5 percent
market share for the International brand trucks, an increase of 1.4 percentage
points over last year. The company is also a worldwide leader in the
manufacture of mid-range diesel engines, which are produced in a range of 160
to 300 horsepower for the International brand.