Ford and Navistar settle lawsuits, quit diesel supply deal

The days of the Power-Stroke diesel in the Ford Super Duty pickup seem to be about to end. Ford and its long-time diesel engine supplier Navistar have been bickering through their respective lawyers for the better part of the last two years. Ford has accused Navistar of building defective engines with excessive warranty costs. Meanwhile, Navistar accused Ford of breach of contract for developing its own diesel engine for light duty trucks. The dueling suits have now been settled with Ford agreeing to pay an undisclosed sum to Navistar. It appears that this is, in effect, an early termination fee as the companies will end their diesel supply deal at the end of 2009. The joint medium duty truck programs between the companies will continue for now, although Navistar will take a larger stake.

The question that remains unanswered is what happens to the availability of diesel engines in the Super Duty trucks. Without Navistar, Ford would be the only builder of heavy duty pickups without a diesel. Diesel market penetration has fallen in this segment in the past year as diesel prices skyrocketed. Ford has already shelved its light duty diesel program, so it can't use that engine.

[Source: Ford]

NAVISTAR AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY REACH NEW BUSINESS AGREEMENT

Companies to Continue To Collaborate on Medium Duty Trucks and Other Initiatives

DEARBORN, Mich. and WARRENVILLE, Ill. (January 13, 2009) – Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) have reached an agreement to restructure their ongoing business relationship and settle all existing litigation between the companies.

As a result of the agreement, the companies will end their current diesel engine supply agreement effective Dec. 31, 2009. However, the companies will continue to collaborate on a range of initiatives, including their existing Blue Diamond Truck and Parts joint ventures. Navistar will acquire additional equity in the Blue Diamond joint ventures, which will continue to offer dealers and customers F-650 and F-750 medium duty trucks, as well as parts support for a variety of Ford products, including Ford's PowerStroke Diesel-equipped trucks. Ford and Navistar also will continue their diesel engine supply relationship in South America. As a result of the agreement, Ford will make a payment to Navistar.

"Navistar and Ford benefitted from a successful partnership that provided value to both companies for nearly three decades. However, it's in our best interests to resolve our conflict and continue our relationship with each other in other areas," said Dan Ustian, Navistar chairman, president and chief executive officer. "The next phase of our relationship is consistent with Navistar's strategy to diversify our customer base, while continuing to provide value to both companies through our existing joint ventures and our supply agreement in South America."

"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Navistar that we believe is in the best interest of both companies," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "This agreement comprehensively addresses our business relationship with Navistar and will help both companies focus on meeting the needs of our current and future truck customers."

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 224,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) produces International® brand commercial and military vehicles, MaxxForce™ brand diesel engines, IC brand school and commercial buses, and Workhorse® brand chassis for motor homes and step vans, and is a private label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV markets. Navistar is also a provider of truck and diesel engine parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.navistar.com.