Commercial truck manufacturer investing, adding jobs with support from Michigan Strategic Fund

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan continues to secure its position as the automotive capital of the world as Lisle, Illinois- based Navistar International Corporation NYSE: NAV), a producer of International® brand commercial trucks, proprietary diesel engines and IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses, works to establish its NEXT eMobility Center in Rochester Hills with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today. The project is expected to create 50 high-paying, high-skilled jobs.

“Navistar’s NEXT eMobility center will drive new advancements in future mobility and underscores the strength of the talent in the state’s advanced auto manufacturing and mobility sectors,” said MEDC CEO Mark A. Burton. “This investment reinforces Michigan’s reputation as the center for the automotive industry and a leader in future automotive technology, and we’re pleased to work with our local partners to support the expansion.”

Navistar’s new business unit, NEXT eMobility Solutions, is focused on vehicle electrification for the truck and school bus markets to meet the future demand for electric vehicles. The company is leasing space in Rochester Hills where it has designed an eMobility center that will serve as the technical lead location for the implementation of electric commercial vehicles. The center will include engineering analysis and the design and build of electric prototype vehicles such as school buses, medium-duty trucks, and heavy-duty trucks. In addition, the center will be engaged in electric vehicle battery development.

The project is expected to generate approximately $4.17 million in private investment and create 50 high-wage jobs focused on eMobility-specific engineering roles covering areas such as high voltage systems, batteries, power electronics, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, electric vehicle hardware and software integration. As a result of the job creation and investment, the company has been awarded a $500,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

“Navistar is proud to become part of the Rochester Hills community as we build out our headquarters for all things electric here,” said Navistar Vice President, eMobility Gary Horvat. “We selected this location because of its proximity to supplier partners and the abundance of talent in emerging technologies throughout the area. With this new facility, we are hitting the ground running in delivering a full suite of electric solutions to meet the needs of our customers.”

Launched in October, NEXT delivers customized electrification solutions in the truck and school bus markets through its “4 Cs” approach – Consulting, Charging, Construction and Connecting. Since its launch, the company has showcased its prototype electric medium-duty International® eMV™ Series vehicle as well as its electric school bus at various trade shows across the United States.

The city of Rochester Hills is prepared to support the project by waiving certain fees, providing marketing support and meeting space for recruitment, and making supply chain introductions.

"As Michigan continues to position itself as the epicenter of tomorrow's mobility, the city of Rochester Hills is thrilled to provide a strong business community that supports Navistar and its employees' efforts to be successful,” said Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett.

The project aligns with several of MEDC’s strategic focus areas, including supporting a business in the target industry of mobility and fostering high-wage job growth. Individuals interested in careers with Navistar should visit https://www.navistar.com/navistar/careers/.

“We welcome Navistar Incorporated to Oakland County and applaud the company on its decision to establish its eMobility center in Rochester Hills,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “This R&D center will focus on the development of electric commercial vehicles, bringing 50 high-paying jobs and investment of more than $4.1 million to our county. We work hard to create the business-friendly environment that makes Oakland County an attractive destination for expansion projects such as this. I wish Navistar Incorporated continued success.”

Today’s announcement builds on May Mobility’s recent announcement it will expand in Ann Arbor as well as last month’s news of an initiative to develop a first-of-its-kind corridor for connected and autonomous vehicles designed to improve transportation for communities in Southeast Michigan. A key goal of the project will be to design the corridor with a focus on closing long-standing gaps in access to transit and transportation across the region.

Cavnue, a subsidiary of Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP) with a focus on building the future of roads, has been selected by the state to serve as Master Developer of the corridor project. This public-private partnership will explore the opportunity and viability of this project working with state and local partners, stakeholders, and communities across the corridor from Detroit to Ann Arbor.

In July, the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) was launched, reaffirming Michigan’s position as the global leader in producing and developing the next generation of transportation technologies. The new office is working across state government, academia and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem, including developing dynamic mobility and electrification policies and supporting the startup and scale-up of emerging technologies and businesses.

“Today’s news of Navistar’s new facility illustrates the strength of Michigan’s automotive ecosystem when it comes to future mobility and electrification,” said Trevor Pawl, chief mobility officer with the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “We look forward to working with the company as it continues to develop advanced mobility vehicles and technologies here in Michigan.”

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org