Navistar supports military with construction of MRAP vehicles

The International MaxxPro MRAP. (Courtesy Navistar)

The Trucker News Services

3/28/2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Navistar International Corp., the parent company of International Trucks and Engine, continues to support the efforts of the military through the construction of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

The U.S. Marine Corps recently ordered additional International MaxxPro MRAP vehicles Friday valued at more than $410 million from Navistar Defense LLC (formerly known as International Military and Government LLC) a wholly owned affiliate of Navistar.

The new order of 743 increases Navistar’s total Category I MRAP vehicle orders to 5,214; current production levels are at 500 vehicle units a month. The company has delivered 2,000 MaxxPro MRAP vehicles to the military. Navistar’s overall MRAP vehicle orders total more than $3 billion since the first contract was awarded in May 2007.

MaxxPro MRAP vehicles are designed to protect troops from roadside bombs and other threats. Presently, there are more than 1,500 MaxxPro MRAP vehicles in theater.

Dee Kapur, president of International Truck group, which has made the news itself with the recent introduction of two new Class 8 tractors, told reporters at the Mid-America Trucking Show here, that 33 of the vehicles had been blown up during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“And there’s been only one fatality in those attacks,” he said.

“Navistar’s worldwide service network, manufacturing power and family of truck and engine products offers the U.S. military and our allies tremendous scale,” Archie Massicotte, president of Navistar Defense LLC. “Building and servicing the MaxxPro MRAP is a privilege because this is about protecting our troops so they can fulfill their missions safely.”

To meet the demands of changing mission requirements calling for increased protection and payload capacity, Navistar introduced its recently updated Category I MaxxPro MRAP vehicle called the MaxxPro Plus.

“Our close collaboration with the military enables us to swiftly adapt the MaxxPro to overcome threats and other challenges faced by the troops in theater,” Massicotte said.

As orders continue for these vehicles, Navistar has delivered nearly 120,000 parts pieces, components and other field support services to keep MaxxPro MRAP vehicles in theater mission ready. Parts and service awards from the military thus far total more than $300 million. Additionally, nearly $80 million in truck orders including water and fuel tankers were awarded to the company in recent months by the military.