Navistar preps Alabama plant for powertrain production

Navistar has announced plans to build an integrated powertrain at its recently expanded Huntsville Powertrain Manufacturing Plant in Huntsville, Ala.

Navistar will build integrated powertrains at its expanded Huntsville Powertrain Manufacturing Plant. (Photo: Navistar)

The company broke ground on a 110,000 sq. ft. expansion of the Huntsville plant in February 2020 with an initial $125 million investment. An additional $65 million has since been contributed to a total capital investment of more than $190 million in the plant to accommodate increased manufacturing capabilities and to support Navistar’s future growth.

Navistar is positioned to introduce an all-new integrated powertrain, incorporating the engine and transmission, to the North American market. This Traton Group collaborative development program will be a global demonstration of the Group’s common modular system for trucks and buses. A Group-wide modular system enables efficient cross-brand development and production, while still allowing for regional adaptation and validation of the integrated powertrain for the North American market.

“Navistar has worked to meet customer demand by accelerating time to market of this integrated powertrain through a modular approach and collaboration with the Traton Group’s global truck brands,” said Michael Grahe, executive vice president, Operations. “We will set a new standard of efficiency for our customers with this integrated powertrain, contributing to our path to sustainable transportation.”

Navistar collaborated with Traton brands for more than five years on the development of the integrated powertrain. Additionally, Navistar has committed thousands of hours of research and development, and test miles to the validation of the integrated powertrain for the North American market. In preparation for the North American market introduction, Navistar will utilize fleet evaluation units to collect data and real-world input with direct customer feedback from U.S. and Canadian customers.