US truck maker eyes MENA region for growth

A US-based manufacturer of commercial trucks and engines said on Tuesday it was targeting double digit growth in the MENA region in 2010.

Navistar Global Operations Corporation (Navistar) said it was aiming to take 15 percent market share in the region by 2015, as the company expands its manufacturing operations and strengthens its distribution network.

The company said it sees "strong potential in the region's commercial vehicles market" and is pursuing opportunities in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in 2010.

Navistar has invested heavily in truck and engine plants across the region, including a major plant in India, with production expected to commence this year. Research is also underway for two further assembly plants in the region.

Arshad Khan, managing director, said: "While we are relatively new to the region, we have enjoyed success by associating ourselves with strong partners, including our UAE distributor, Emirates for American and European Cars.

"We have a solid base of dealers across the region and are represented in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. We also have distributors in Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco."

As part of its expansion plan, Navistar is preparing to showcase its products to government departments and trucking companies at Commercial Vehicles Middle East in Dubai in March, he added.

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