Top stories of 2017: Navistar partners with GM and Volkswagen

Here’s a look at one of our top stories of 2017.

Amid a roller coaster year for the company, Illinois-based truck manufacturer Navistar committed to bringing at least 300 new jobs and new production lines to the Springfield area.

The company reached an agreement with General Motors in June to produce the automotive giant’s new line of vans.

» READ MORE: Navistar to add 300 jobs in Springfield with second GM deal

GM had considered other sites, but due to efforts from Navistar’s Springfield labor union and upgrades to the Springfield plant, the company was able to cement their presence in the community, and combined with a previous agreement with the company, guarantee at least 600 jobs over the next several years.

More good news came in September when automotive producer Volkswagen purchased a roughly 17 percent equity stake in the company and agreed to a partnership with Navistar to produce a new line of electric semi-trucks.

There has still been no confirmation on whether the trucks will actually be produced in Springfield, so the potential impact the move could have on the region, if any, is still unclear. However, Navistar still remains one of Springfield’s largest employers with over 1,500 employees in the area.

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