Navistar plans to expand into China

Navistar International Corp., a U.S.-based manufacturer of commercial vehicles, motor coaches and diesel engines, said on Thursday it would strengthen cooperation with its Chinese counterpart to expand into the world's biggest auto market.

Dan Usian, president of Navistar International, said China has enormous demand for commercial vehicles. The company aims to win more Chinese customers by strengthening its partnership with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co.(JAC).

Navistar and JAC signed a joint-venture agreement to develop, build and market advanced diesel commercial engines in China last September. The deal is pending approval of Chinese authorities.

Navistar appointed Rudi Von Meister as head of its Chinese branch. He has 20 years of work experience in General Motors and Fiat and also has worked in China for years.

Von Meister is upbeat about Navistar's development prospects in China. The company will soon expand operations in the country due to its leading technology in the production of trucks and engines as well as JAC's thorough knowledge of the market, he told Xinhua.