Navistar buys proving grounds

Navistar Inc, the parent company behind International Trucks, has announced that it has secured new proving grounds in Indiana, USA, the complex located around an hour's drive from the firm's global headquarters.

Spread over 270 acres, Navistar says the sprawling facility will provide full in-house testing capability for the entire range of Navistar models, from light rigid trucks to heavy-duty and specialised offerings.

The site was purchased recently from automotive engineering giant Bosch, and features a 5km paved and banked oval track as well as assets designed to test all aspects of brake performance, structural integrity, and vehicle handling and safety.

Bill Kozek, President of Navistar Truck and Parts, says the facility will assist greatly in honing Navistar's product portfolio, now and into the future.

"The new Navistar Proving Grounds is a strategic addition to our product development operations and will play an important role in our mission to deliver industry-leading uptime for our customers," he said.

"Beyond testing our latest vehicles and innovative technologies, we will also use the site as a customer centre to showcase new products and give customers an opportunity to experience our vehicles first-hand."

Tim Quinlan (pictured), Managing Director of Navistar's Australian arm, Navistar Auspac, said the complex underlines Navistar's strategic plan for future growth.

"This announcement comes at an ideal time, immediately after the hugely successful launch of International at the recent Brisbane Truck Show," he said.

"It is a very significant investment which demonstrates Navistar's commitment to providing exceptional standards of reliability across the entire product portfolio.

"Best of all though, the product enhancements which will evolve as a direct result of testing at the new proving grounds will flow through to the customers of all International products in all markets."