The distributor of MAN Bus and Coach in Australia, Western Star Trucks, has merged with Daimler / Chrysler Group, globally.
Western Star Trucks Holdings has announced the merger of its Canadian and American truck, bus and coach operations within the Daimler/Chrysler Group.
Terry Peabody, the current chairman and chief executive of Western Star Trucks Holdings has agreed to act as chairman of Western Star Trucks Australia. Western Star Trucks Australia will continue to operate as a separate entity distributing Western Star Trucks and MAN trucks, buses and coaches throughout Australia and New Zealand and markets in the Asian Pacific Region.
The Australian and New Zealand operation of Western Star Trucks and MAN Truck and Bus will continue with the future marketing strategy announced on February 1 this year.
The merger of Western Star Truck Holdings within the Daimler/Chrysler Group continues the pattern of global consolidation, currently experienced within the automotive and transport manufacturing industries.
According to Australian Group Managing Director for Western Star Trucks and MAN Truck and Bus Dave Jonassen: "Our Australian and New Zealand team has worked very strongly to consolidate both Western Star and MAN, and to strengthen our dealer network and service to our customers. This dedication to excellence will obviously continue and can only benefit from the obvious synergy that will develop from within the Daimler/Chrysler group."
The Western Star brand, engineering, customer service and truck styling will not only be preserved, but the product line will be enhanced with a broader offering and expanded powertrain options.
Under the terms of the agreement, Western Star Trucks Holdings will convene a meeting of the shareholders on a date to be announced to vote upon the proposed plan of arrangement. The proposed acquisition remains subject to approval by the governmental authorities of Canada, the USA and Australia.
"Our customers can feel confident in their current relationships with our companies in Australia and New Zealand," Jonassen added.
Western Star in North America was recently recognised in a survey by JD Power, as the number one truck manufacturer for both the product and customer service quality categories.
The company has grown substantially to become a world force in truck, bus and coach manufacturing.
In Australia, recent expansion plans include the commitment of $3.2 million to enlarge the company's Brisbane headquarters and to increase the parts storage and distribution facility to house a total inventory valued in excess of $13 million.
Western Star manufactures heavy-duty trucks for world markets through its Western Star Trucks subsidiary in Kelowna, British Columbia and North Charleston, South Carolina. The company supplies transit buses for the North American market through its Orion subsidiary in Mississauga, Ontario and Oriskany, New York.
MAN Nutzfahrzeuge manufactures medium and heavy-duty trucks, all-wheel-drive trucks, buses and coaches for world markets from its headquarters in Munich, Germany. With the exception of some bus, coach and all-wheel-drive models, all products are imported completely assembled (CBU) to Australia and New Zealand.