Deal finalized to build electric cars in Elkhart County

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By DUSTIN GROVE
WSBT-TV Reporter

ELKHART COUNTY — It's a done deal in Elkhart County. Navistar International Corp. is moving ahead with plans to build 400 electric trucks in 2010.

The Illinois-based truck maker has signed an agreement with Modec Limited of the United Kingdom to create the Navistar-Modec EV Alliance, LLC.

The joint venture will produce all-electric commercial trucks in Elkhart County to be sold in North, Central and South America.


Navistar owns three facilities in Elkhart County; one in Elkhart and two in Wakarusa.

The signed agreement comes four months after President Obama visited one of Navistar's plants in Wakarusa to announce the company would receive $39.2 million dollars in federal stimulus money for the project.

Company officials say they plan to hire an estimated 700 people over the next few years including employees and suppliers. Wakarusa Town Manager Tom Roeder said that it's great news for his community, unemployment reached about 25 percent this year.

“We need jobs in our community …we've been working for a year and a half to try to get jobs … people need to get back to work. We're really excited,” said Roeder.

It hasn't been determined when the manufacturing will begin and how much hiring will take place.

South Bend Tribune: Deal finalized to build electric cars in Elkhart County