VW subsidiary buys stake in Navistar for $256M

NEW YORK — Volkswagen Truck & Bus, an arm of the German automaker Volkswagen, is buying a minority stake in Navistar (NAV) for $256 million.

The two companies also said Tuesday that they will enter a procurement joint venture that will help source parts for both businesses. There will also be technology sharing, with an anticipated emphasis on powertrain technology.

Volkswagen Truck & Bus will acquire 16.2 million Navistar shares at $15.76 per share and will be allowed to name two directors to Navistar’s board. Navistar will remain an independent truck, bus and engine company.

Navistar International Corp. expects savings of at least $500 million over the first five years. By the fifth year, the Lisle, Illinois-based company anticipates the alliance will generate annual savings of at least $200 million for its business.

The announcement of the deal comes as Volkswagen AG is trying to move forward in the U.S. following an emissions cheating scandal. Last month it was disclosed that about 210,000 owners of Volkswagens with 2-liter diesel engines that cheat on emissions tests have registered to settle with the company under the terms of a June court agreement. U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer has given the $15 billion settlement preliminary approval, with a final decision expected Oct. 18. Terms call for the German carmaker to spend up to $10 billion buying back or repairing Volkswagen and Audi 2-liter vehicles and paying owners another $5,100 to $10,000 each.

Navistar has also had its own emissions issues. In March the company announced that it would pay $7.5 million to settle Securities and Exchange Commission complaints about its claim to investors that it had developed an engine that could be certified to meet U.S. emission standards. Navistar didn’t admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

Navistar’s stock surged more than 30 percent in premarket trading.