Mahindra & Mahindra announced it will buy Navistar Group's stake in their joint venture companies for approximately $33 million..

Mahindra Navistar Automotives Ltd and Mahindra Navistar Engines Pvt Ltd will become wholly owned subsidiaries of Mahindra. Mahindra will take complete ownership of operations and continue to sell MNEPL and MNAL products.

The agreement allows Navistar to continue sourcing components from India, while Mahindra would continue to provide engineering services to Navistar. Navistar group will continue to support M&M through a license agreement and extend necessary support.

As part of its turnaround plan launched in August, Navistar has been conducting an analysis of all of its businesses and programs to determine their return on invested capital and identify areas for improvement. Company officials say they have determined the company needs to redirect its efforts to other initiatives that more quickly contribute to the company's goal to improve its ROIC.

"While the Indian market has not expanded as we had originally expected and industry challenges there continue in the near term, we still see promise in India going forward. But given Navistar's 2013 priorities, our capital and focus needs to be allocated to other business opportunities in the near term," said Troy Clarke, president and chief operating officer, Navistar. "Mahindra has extensive experience and knowledge of the Indian automotive sector and they are best situated to devote the time and resources required to capitalize on future opportunities in India."

Navistar and Mahindra entered into the MNAL joint venture in late 2005 to manufacture trucks and buses in India, source components and provide engineering services for the design and development of Navistar vehicle products. The MNEPL joint venture was formed in 2007 and began producing engines in 2010.

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