When FleetWatch received a press statement from Navistar International Corporation last week, we read it in the hope of receiving either good or bad news about the future of International trucks in South Africa. Alas, it said nothing we don’t already know.
We quote it verbatim here: “Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) today announced its NC2 South Africa operation continues to focus on parts and service support for its International® trucks in South Africa.
“In April 2013, the company announced it intended to restructure NC2 South Africa to improve profitability, strengthen its competitiveness and better serve its customers and dealers. Restructuring has included the wind down of truck production while the company assesses a number of potential business model options. These efforts continue and the company is still exploring options including the possible sale of NC2 South Africa.
“We remain committed to our customers and dealers in South Africa and we continue to focus on parts and service support for International trucks as well as all-makes in the region,” said David Loakes, managing director for South Africa operations. “Our parts distribution center and technical service support will remain in full operation. We will also continue to explore other business options as we complete the wind down of truck production.
“We recognize the impact this may have on our people and we will treat our employees fairly and with respect as we shift toward an all-makes parts and service business.”
“In late 2012, Navistar began conducting a thorough review of all its operations to ensure the right operating model was in place for each of its businesses around the world. NC2 South Africa was included in this review.”
And that was it. Talk about a ‘no news’ news release and this one takes the cake. There is also an anomaly in the statement. In one paragraph it states: “we continue to focus on parts and service support for International trucks as well as all-makes in the region”. And then in a later paragraph it states: “as we shift towards an all-makes parts and service business”. How do you have a current focus on “all makes” when you are only intending to shift to “all makes”?
We wonder what ‘other’ makes’ they intend servicing as NC2. Mmmmmm!
sad to loose such a good product, thank God that there is plenty to go around.