International Truck and Engine Corporation and four of its Mexican dealers were honored by the United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, which presented them with its prestigious Double Eagle Award for 2004.

      Mexico President Vicente Fox was the keynote speaker at the Chamber’s annual Double Eagle Awards Dinner where the awards were presented.

      The Double Eagle Award recognizes companies and other entities that demonstrate leadership and commitment in building alliances and strengthening business ties between the United States and Mexico.

      “All of us at International are honored to receive the Double Eagle Award,” said Daniel C. Ustian, the company’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “This prestigious award confirms that the Mexican market rewards those who share the vision of the opportunities in Mexico and are willing to invest the human and capital resources to bring that vision to fruition.”

      Ustian noted that as a result of International’s aggressive business-building efforts in Mexico, the company is now Mexico’s No. 1 truck maker, the leading seller of trucks and buses in Mexico and has the country’s largest dealer network.

      “We believe there’s a bright future in Mexico,” Ustian said, “and we are determined to help make it a reality by continuing to meet the needs of our Mexican customers.”

      The four International dealers who were honored were Agencias Mercantiles, Camionera Catosa, Camiones Especiales and The Anglo Mexican Motors, each of which is a leader in its local market:

      Agencias Mercantiles, based in Mérida, Yucatán and a truck dealer since 1947, represents the third generation of dealers in the Yucatán peninsula. It has expanded its territories to the states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche and Quintana Roo, with a better than 40 percent market share in each of its territories.

      Camionera Catosa, based in Torreón, Coahuila and a truck dealer since 1948, is a proven innovator — the first-ever truck dealer in Mexico to offer trucks for daily rent in the country and the first to be certified under ISO-9000 quality standards. Its market share in its territory is consistently higher than 45 percent.

      Camiones Especiales, a truck dealer since 1956, enjoys an excellent reputation in its home base of Mexico City. It has been ISO-9000-certified since 2002, and is the first dealer to develop vocational support for the different truck segments it services. In addition, it has traditionally been the number-one dealer in retail deliveries.

      The Anglo Mexican Motor Co., based in Puebla, was founded in 1923 as the first truck dealer in Mexico. Representing the third generation of International dealers in the state of Puebla, it has consolidated its position and is now the number-one dealer in its territory, with one of the best reputations in the industry.

      “Each of these dealers has been in the truck business for nearly 50 years,” Ustian noted. “Their deep roots reflect our strong Mexican franchise and position our company well for continued growth as the Mexican economy continues to expand.”

      Contributing to International’s strength in Mexico is its Escobedo Assembly Plant. Based in Escobedo, N.L., it is the largest, most modern truck assembly plant in Latin America. The Escobedo plant manufactures International 4000 Series medium trucks and select International heavy truck models, and is the site of the company’s Blue Diamond joint venture with Ford Motor Company.

      International Truck and Engine Corporation is the operating company of Navistar International Corporation. The company produces International brand commercial trucks, mid-range diesel engines and IC brand school buses and is a private label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV markets. With the broadest distribution network in North America, the company also provides financing for customers and dealers. Additionally, through a joint venture with Ford Motor Company, the company builds medium commercial trucks and sells truck and diesel engine service parts.

Escobedo plant

      International’s Escobedo Assembly Plant, based in Escobedo, N.L., is the most modern truck assembly plant in North America. In operation since February 1998, International built the Escobedo facility from the ground up to support world-class truck manufacturing processes.

      In September 2000, KPMG Quality Registrars awarded Escobedo Assembly Plant ISO-9002 and in July 2000, NSF-ISR awarded the Escobedo Assembly Plant ISO-14001 certification. Both of these certifications underscore International’s commitment to the highest quality and environmental standards in the industry. International’s leadership in manufacturing excellence is also recognized in Ford Motor Company’s decision to build medium trucks at Escobedo as part of the Blue Diamond Truck Company joint venture.

Daniel C. Ustian

      Daniel C. Ustian is president and chief executive officer of Navistar International Corporation. He began serving in the position on Feb. 18, 2003. He is also a member of the company’s executive council and board of directors.

      Ustian previously served as president and chief operating officer since April 2002, overseeing the company’s truck and engine operations and participating in the development of future strategic direction with a particular emphasis on growth initiatives.

      Previously, Ustian served as president of International’s engine group since July 1999. Ustian also served as group vice president and general manager of engine and foundry since 1990.

  Under Ustian’s leadership, the company’s engine business experienced tremendous growth and introduced new product advances, becoming the world’s largest manufacturer of mid-range diesel engines. Specifically, the engine and foundry group grew from $600 million in annual sales unit to $2 billion in revenues. Growth in volume and profit grew for 10 consecutive years.

      Ustian’s intense focus on operational excellence encouraged several breakthrough technologies that drove product capability and increased sales. Ustian also grew the business internationally through a joint venture in Brazil, which is now a wholly-owned subsidiary, International Engines South America.

      In 2000, Ustian negotiated a 12-year agreement to produce diesel engines for Ford Motor Co., the longest such agreement in automotive history, and led the creation of a joint venture with Ford, Blue Diamond Truck Company LLC, that produces medium vehicles and provides a platform for other major products. In fall 2002, he was instrumental in working with the United Auto Workers union to ratify a new labor agreement that competitively positions International for the future.

      Ustian joined the company in 1973 and served in a number of manufacturing and financial positions in its agricultural and truck groups. He was vice president of manufacturing for the engine and foundry group when he was named to head the group in 1993.

      Ustian also serves as chairman of the board of of Blue Diamond Truck Company LLC, Sturman Engine Systems, Diesel Components, Inc., Global Gear Corp. and Indianapolis Casting Corp. He is also a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and the American Foundry Assn.