Navistar partners with GM

General Motors and Navistar have announced a long-term agreement to develop and assemble Class 4/5 medium-duty conventional-cab trucks, the collaboration allowing Navistar to diversify its model portfolio and GM to expand its range of Chevrolet-branded commercial vehicles.

Chevrolet currently offers vans and pick-up-based trucks in its commercial portfolio, with an Isuzu-based range of light-duty cab-over trucks with GVMs spanning 5.5 tonnes to 8.8 tonnes due to go on sale next year.

Navistar has a proven track record in the US medium-duty sector with models such as its International DuraStar (pictured), and will produce the new trucks in its Springfield plant in Ohio.

The company will add 300 jobs and invest over $US12 million in the facility to handle the extra production.

The future products will be jointly developed using Navistar's expertise in rolling chassis configurations and manufacturing capabilities, and GM's commercial components and engines.

According to Ed Peper, US Vice President of GM Fleet and Commercial Sales, the deal has much potential.

"Bringing medium-duty conventional-cab trucks back into the portfolio strengthens Chevrolet's commitment to providing commercial customers with more choices and one-stop shopping for a versatile line-up of trucks, vans and crossovers," he said.

Bill Kozek, President, Truck and Parts, Navistar, said the tie-up would bring significant benefit to both parties.

"Our collaboration with GM is another example of our customer-centric, open integration approach –providing our customers with the best technologies available," he said.

"By working with an industry-leading company like GM, we'll be able to enhance our medium-duty product portfolio and leverage our scale and expertise in manufacturing medium-duty trucks."