been recognized with an award from Popular Science for its revolutionary camless engine design that will deliver greater durability, reduced the overall engine weight, and lower the amount emission that is produced that are harmful to the people and the environment. Navistar International has used horizontal acquisitions to achieve economy of scale and introduced many new innovative and flexible manufacturing technologies, which are helping it, achieve economy of scope. The use of flexible manufacturing will support Navistar Internationals focused manufacturing approach that will provide the customer a way to custom design exactly the type of product the customer wants to buy. Navistar International uses extensive supplier partnerships to produce a strong competitive advantage by delivering a product to the customers more efficiently and effectively. This group of suppliers includes; Goodyear, Akzo Corp., Eaton Corp., and Modline Corp. Economic TrendsBuying school buses is much like buying cars. They range from bare essentials, as required by law, to having all the bells and whistles offered by bus manufacturers. Certain aspects of bus features have come up in recent years as to whether the extra cost was worthwhile. One of these costs is LEDs, or light-emitting diodes used on stoplights, taillights and turn signals. Some believe that they are safer than the incandescent bulbs most buses currently use. Incandescent bulbs require approximately 0.2 seconds to heat up and attain full brightness (Hirano, LEDsp. 3). Brandon Billingsley of Heavy Duty Bus Parts in Willis, TX says, at 60 mph, that makes a difference of about a car length, which can be critical (Hirano, LEDsp. 3). LEDs last longer; for example, in 1997 Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nev., received approximately 118 buses with LED clearance lights. So far, none of them has needed replacement (Hirano, LEDs pp. 2-3). However, these longer lasting bulbs c...
