NAVISTAR buyer possible

[JasonR.]

Just read this is LMT News...Hopefully just another story about this scenario. I much perfer Navistar as a stand alone company. But "whatever is best for the company"....applies I guess.

Although I doubt they will have much appreciation for the history & Trademarks associated with the IH light line of the past. Once European companies take over, the past is kinda wiped out, at least it seems to be in the company I'm with.

Regardless, will this mean we have to cut out all of the FIAT jokes?

Navistar International Buyout Rumors Raise Stock

Navistar International Corp., the parent of International Truck & Engine Co., may be a buyout target and its stock has risen as a result, the Wall Street Journal reported, according to Bloomberg News.

Potential buyers of Navistar, one of the largest U.S. makers of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, include Germany's MAN AG and Italy's Fiat SpA, the Journal said, citing analysts it didn't identify, according to Bloomberg. Shares of Navistar have risen about 85% this year.

Navistar stands to gain as government regulations require cleaner-burning engines for commercial trucks, and it is a finalist for an $8 billion military contract, the newspaper said. Navistar spokesman Roy Wiley told the Journal the company doesn't comment on speculation, Bloomberg reported. L&MT

[dick ardrey]

Because of the military contract, in the interest of national security, I hope a buyout does not occur. The stock will do fine if the company stays USA only!
lazer

[Allan E]

The world is changing. It will continue to change. This is the next step. Look for the same things to happen in our heavy equipment, automotive, and other heavy industries. Not all at once, of course, but it won't take very long before those companies start undergoing drastic changes.

Companies with contracts with the US military have some protections against hostile takeovers from foreign owned companies, but the protections are not absolute. I hope they get the military contract, too, but I have my own selfish reasons for that.

I remember hearing a story of how Navistar almost threw away the International logo. Arrogance, stupidity, whatever, they soon realized that they would be throwing away a trade mark worth 100 million dollars(?), so they dumped the Navistar badging on the trucks and started putting International back on them. Didn't take long for Navistar badging to just disappear.

[dan1500]

Actually Fiat through Case already ownes the name International Harvester.

The name Navistar has never been used as a brand on the trucks. It was only used as the name of the company. It is currently the name of the holding company that ownes the operating company International truck and Engine Corporation.

[enally]

The Journal article from last week thought the company would be ripe for a private equity firm to buy and take private. I hope this happens. Since a private firm is always looking to squeeze every penny out of their purchase, they might be willing to spool up some of the old light line machines and maybe make some parts again! OK, I'm dreaming big here. I do hope that a private firm buys it. If it is an american owned firm.