CNH Industrial and Navistar Inc yesterday released a joint statement, confirming that Iveco has been appointed sole distributor of International Trucks in the Australian market.
The announcement put to rest speculation about the future distributor of International Trucks, after initial plans were outlined by Navistar Inc. at the 2015 Brisbane Truck Show.
While the specifics of the agreement are yet to be ironed out, it is clear that International trucks brand will now return to the location where thousands of international commercial vehicles were produced or assembled from 1952-2001.
CNH Industrial Executive Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, Ray Osgood, said he was “extremely pleased” to have finally struck a deal with Navistar Inc. for the distribution rights after 18 months of negotiations.
“International has an incredible heritage in Australia, dominating the commercial vehicle market for several decades – there remains a lot of passion for the brand here today, and it still has a lot of equity in this market,” Mr Osgood said.
“CNH Industrial is extremely excited at the prospect of partnering with Navistar in reintroducing the iconic International Trucks brand to Australia. Our operational experience within Iveco and the obvious synergies and history between the two brands will provide notable efficiencies as the International range is introduced in the months ahead.”
Navistar Senior Vice President, Distribution & Export, Mark Belisle, said the company carefully considered the best course of action for the return of International Trucks to Australia.
“Despite not having sold here for a number of years, ‘INTER’ is still entrenched in the psyche of the Australian market and remembered fondly by fleet operators. This enthusiasm for the marque was also highlighted at the 2015 Brisbane Truck Show with both the ProStar and LoneStar display trucks capturing the imagination of show-goers,” Mr Belisle said.
“Of course the return of a brand to Australia that is so well regarded, deserved a detailed plan befitting of its standing here, and that meant establishing an association with a company that was well equipped to assist in effectively re-launching in the local market. In Iveco we’ve identified the necessary credentials and industry experience to help meet our goals. The close history between Iveco and International is not lost on us either; it adds an element of emotion to the agreement.”
