UNION CITY, IN - Navistar International Corporation has elected long-time Navistar and Ford executive David Tarrant to be chief executive officer (CEO) for Workhorse Custom Chassis in addition to his present duties as vice-president and general manager, Light Duty Vehicles and Joint Ventures for Navistar. Workhorse is a Navistar subsidiary that manufactures chassis for walk-in trucks and motor homes.

Tarrant has a broad background accumulated over the course of a 37-year career in the commercial truck business, serving in a diverse variety of roles ranging from field sales to product development. During most of this period he served Ford Motor Company, both as an employee and consultant, across the spectrum of truck business initiatives.

Included among these were a five-year stint as Ford's RV & special vehicles manager, planner of the highly successful Super Duty F-Series pickup and chassis cab family, and technical and marketing development of alternative fuel vehicles. He also led the rebuilding of the company's commercial truck focus after Ford divested its heavy truck business.

From 1999 to 2001 Tarrant was the lead negotiator for what became the Blue Diamond truck and parts business joint ventures between Navistar and Ford. He subsequently led implementation of these joint ventures as chief engineer for Ford's side of the engagement, presiding over the rebirth of Ford's medium-duty truck line. In 2005 he joined Navistar, where he has focused on acquisitions, joint ventures and 2010 emissions programs and related vehicle strategies.

"I am truly excited to be working with the strong brand that Workhorse stands for in the walk-in van and motor home markets," said Tarrant. "I look forward to leveraging great products and resources from the Navistar spectrum of brands to further develop the Workhorse business - a new landscape of opportunity is in our future.

Tarrant noted that a prime example of such Navistar-Workhorse synergy is the recent integration of Navistar's MaxxForce 7 diesel engine with Workhorse's popular W20/W22 motor home chassis. Among other advancements, the MaxxForce solution for 2010 diesel emission standards relies on advanced EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) technology developed by Navistar to provide "the most hassle-free and cost-effective emissions control available," said Tarrant. "No other engine manufacturer is doing this. In terms of cost, simplicity and reliability, you can't beat it."

"By using our Navistar resources, I expect Workhorse to be on the leading edge of cost-competitive solutions targeted to meet customer needs, while also producing long-term, profitable growth for the company."