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NEWS
International: Aussie distribution finalised
CNH Industrial to handle International's much-anticipated return to OzAfter months of conjecture, International Trucks has confirmed its products will be imported and distributed in Australia solely by CNH Industrial.
A joint announcement by Navistar Inc and CNH Industrial today (October 11) has put an end to a a lengthy period of speculation that stretches back to start of this year.
Earlier, at the 2015 Brisbane Truck Show, an International ProStar was shown on the Navistar Auspac stand, alongside an International LoneStar Blade custom show truck and several Cat Trucks models.
The ProStar is the model which will serve as the basis for the Australian-spec truck that will spearhead International's return to our shores, and at that stage Navistar Auspac's claim to the rights for International wasn't in doubt.
Navistar Auspac, the Australian arm of Navistar Inc, currently distributes the Cat Trucks range. The range dates back to the rocky and ultimately ill-fated partnership between Navistar Inc and Caterpillar that began in 2011. The tie-up dissolved in 2015, although the construction and mining specialist still supplies its engines to Navistar's Cat Trucks division.
Navistar Inc, of course, is the company behind the International brand – a company now making the decision to favour CNH Industrial for Australian distribution rights.
Among its many automotive and agricultural brands, CNH Industrial owns Iveco. Indeed, in Australia it was Iveco that, in 1992, purchased the International plant in Dandenong, Melbourne, along with the rights to designs like the venerable ACCO.
That spelled International's departure from Australia, so in a sense the brand's return – both to Australia and to Dandenong – is a homecoming both geographically and spiritually.
According to Navistar's Senior Vice President, Distribution & Export, Mark Belisle, in CNH Industrial the company had found a strong partner to facilitate International's return.
"Despite not having sold here for a number of years, 'Inter' is still entrenched in the Australian market and remembered fondly by fleet operators," he said. "This enthusiasm for the marque was also highlighted at the 2015 Brisbane Truck Show, with both the ProStar and LoneStar display trucks capturing show-goers' imaginations.
"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 a partnership with a company that was well equipped to assist in properly relaunching in the local market.
"In CNH Industrial we've found a partner with the necessary credentials and industry experience to help Navistar meet its goals here. The close history between CNH Industrial's Iveco brand and International is not lost on us either; it adds an element of emotion to the partnership.
"We look forward to the months ahead and bringing some exciting new International vehicles to market."
CNH Industrial Executive Managing Director – ANZ, Ray Osgood, said he was extremely pleased to have established a partnership with Navistar Inc for the distribution rights.
"International had a long and successful history in Australia and dominated 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," he said.
"CNH Industrial is extremely excited at the prospect of partnering with Navistar in reintroducing the iconic International Trucks to Australia. Our operational experience with 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.
"Furthermore, we see the arrangement to be mutually beneficial in that the International product range, primarily consisting of conventional cabs, will complement Iveco's strengths in cab-over truck models."
Photo (from left): Navistar Auspac Engineering Manager, Adrian Wright; Navistar Auspac Regional Manager, Dicky Commandeur; Navistar Inc Vice President - Global Export, Federico Palomo; CNH Industrial Executive Managing Director - Australia and New Zealand, Ray Osgood; Navistar Inc General Manager - Operations, John Staley and Iveco Australia Managing Director, Michael Jonson.
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Written byRod Chapman
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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