Navistar-Caterpillar Venture to Sell Trucks in Australia

Navistar International Corp. said its joint venture to build commercial trucks with Caterpillar Inc. will begin selling vehicles in Australia by the middle of this year.

The joint-venture, under the name NC2 Global LLC, based in Lisle, Ill., will announce product details and dealer arrangements next week, Navistar said in a statement Monday.

Navistar said it:

• Is establishing a truck assembly facility in Tullamarine, Victoria, Australia, to be located in an existing Caterpillar manufacturing facility.

• Has appointed Australian marketing, manufacture and finance executives, who began work March 1.

• Has put in place an Australian product and brand strategy, including medium, heavy and vocational vehicles.

• Has applied for membership in the Truck Industry Council, which represents Australian truck manufacturers, importers, diesel engine companies and major component suppliers.

Caterpillar, which used to make diesel truck engines, said in 2008 it was pulling out of the North American Class 8 truck engine market except for its partnership with Navistar.