Ford, International form Blue Diamond
CHICAGO, Ill. – Ford Motor Co. and Navistar International say they have finalized plans to build medium-duty commercial trucks together.
The 50-50 venture named Blue Diamond Truck Co. will begin building the trucks late next year at International’s plant in Escobedo, Mexico. The trucks – expected to initially consist of Class 6 and 7 units – will be marketed separately under Ford and Navistar brands.
Ford hopes to sell 25,000 trucks each year from Blue Diamond, while International is targeting its share of sales at only 10,000, an International spokesman told local media.
Ford’s Blue Diamonds will primarily be sold in North America and International is targeting markets in Mexico and South America, according to an International executive. Prototype production will begin later this year with full production scheduled for 2002. n
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