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Volkswagen Unlikely To Acquire GM Partner Navistar

German automaker Volkswagen AG has quelled rumors that pegged it as acquiring Navistar International, of which it already holds a 16.9 percent stake as part of a ‘wide-ranging strategic alliance’ announced back in 2016.”

The Backstory

In mid-April, various news outlets hastily reported that VW’s Truck & Bus division was looking to acquiring Navistar, but executives have since then cooled those expectations.

In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) signed by VW Truck & Bus CEO Andreas Renschler, the German conglomerate (it even makes sausages) states that “various news sources interpreted remarks, during a question and answer session, by representatives of VW T&B” to suggest that an acquisition of U.S.-based Navistar by the German firm was under consideration.

The statement goes on to say that “VW T&B is not reporting any changes to its plans or proposals” for Navistar.

However, Volkswagen Truck & Bus didn’t completely rule out the possibility of an acquisition at a later date, stating in its SEC filing that “… VW T&B continuously reviews its investment” in Navistar “and may in the future determine to undertake various actions in connection with its investment, including the possible acquisition” of the American truck OEM.

Additionally, Volkswagen PR representatives have also stated that they will keep all options open as it relates to its business.

General Motors Association

Those closely following GM news will likely know that the automaker is currently in an ongoing partnership with Navistar to develop and produce Class 4, 5 and 6 Conventional Medium Duty trucks – the Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, Silverado 5500HD and Silverado 6500HD. As such, a potential buyout of Navistar by Volkswagen could result in changes to the partnership, or even its dissolution.

The aforementioned Silverado models, GM’s first conventional medium duty trucks since the Detroit-based automaker axed the Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick around the timeframe of its bankruptcy, are expected to be notable additions to the automaker’s profitability.

The GM Authority Take

It appears that news outlets incorrectly concluded that VW was looking to buy out Navistar, when instead Volkswagen appears to be considering nothing of the sort. Hence, it would appear that the German automaker’s comments walk a tight rope from a legal standpoint, and are probably as close as we’ll get to a compete denial.

Hence, it seems that there’s nothing to worry about as far as the new GM Medium Duty trucks go… at least for the time being.

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GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

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Comments

  1. This is the first time that GMauthority acknowledges the 16.9% equity of VW in Navistar.

    Reply
  2. GM should buy Navistar.

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    1. GM should buy Navistar and bring back a really tough Scout; a much tougher off-roader than the Wrangler.

      Reply
    2. God forbid ! They wouldn’t know how to manage a REAL truck operation. Matrix Management would be overwhelmed by the complexity of a real truck business. What happen to GMC Truck and Bus, Bedford Trucks and Detroit Diesel ? Gone. why????

      Reply
      1. Detroit diesel is still around. Building diesel engines. And automatic transmissions.

        Reply
  3. On the other hand, in light of the planned reorganisation of VW’s truck activities, i.e. the merger of MAN Truck & Bus with Scania in a common company, which is to be spun off to acquire money by bringing this new company to the stock exchange, a change of VW’s interest in Navistar would make sense.

    Daimler (Freightliner Trucks) and Volvo (Mack Trucks) are present on the US market and DAF Trucks is owned by Paccar. It would only be logical for VW to set a foot on the US market, too. But …

    Reply
  4. What I do see is a very likely tie up at some point with VW and FCA. Sergio wants to complete a partnership before his tenure ends in 2019.

    Reply
  5. Maybe Volkswagen could bring back Pontiac.

    Reply
    1. Why would they ever want to do that?

      Reply

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