LISLE, Ill. — Navistar Inc., the parent company of school bus manufacturer IC Bus, has made a range of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems products standard on its entire lineup of International Class 5-8 air-braked bus, truck, and tractor platforms.

Standard as of June are the Bendix ABS-8 Advanced antilock braking system; Bendix valves; Bendix air dryers; and, on Navistar-branded engines, Bendix air compressors.

International Trucks, a subsidiary of Navistar, also selected the Bendix ESP Electronic Stability Program full-stability system as standard, starting when the first phase of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) new stability mandate takes effect in August 2017.

International Trucks also recently made Bendix’s complete wheel-end package available as an option or standard on a range of its medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Last year, Navistar became the first truck manufacturer to offer Bendix Wingman Fusion, the supplier’s flagship driver assistance system. In addition, the Bendix BlindSpotter Side Object Detection System is available, and Bendix control modules are standard.

"IC bus customers are able to choose Bendix air disc brakes across the full axle rating range from 8,000-pound fronts up to 23,000-pound rears,” said Scott Smay, director of engineering and product development for IC Bus. “Benefits include shorter stopping distances, lower maintenance, and improved driver satisfaction."

“When we select technologies for International Trucks, our focus never wavers from our customers and meeting their wide variety of needs,” said Jeff Sass, senior vice president, sales and marketing, International Trucks. “We partner with Bendix because they are equally dedicated to the customer. Bendix is an industry leader for good reason — their products meet the highest standards for performance, safety, and value. Our customers can trust in them, and so can we.”

“Our deep, proven product portfolio and long success in responding to customer needs has positioned us to be a trusted partner to Navistar,” said Scott Burkhart, Bendix vice president – sales, marketing, and business development. “We are honored to serve that role. And we are committed to ensuring that our technologies — from advanced safety to air treatment to charging — continue living up to the trust that customers have been placing in them for decades.”

Navistar also recently announced that it formed a wide-ranging strategic alliance with Volkswagen Truck & Bus, with agreements for strategic technology and supply collaboration, as well as a procurement joint venture.