CHICAGO — Citing low demand for cabover products in North America, Navistar International said it will cease production of its International 9800 model cabover truck at its plant in Springfield, Ohio, effective March 31, 1999.

Navistar currently produces four 9800-model trucks a day at Springfield, primarily for truckload hauler J.B. Hunt. Production will be shifted to a factory in Brazil, which will build the truck for export markets.

“Since 1988, the cabover segment of the heavy truck industry has declined by approximately 90%,” said Steve Keate, vice-president and general manager of the companyÕs heavy-duty vehicle group.

“Exiting the 9800 model in North America will allow us to focus our resources on products that our customers demand.”

Navistar said the move is not expected to cost any jobs at the Springfield plant, which employs 4700 workers and produces medium-duty trucks, school buses, severe-service vehicles, and other on-highway heavy vehicles.

The Springfield plant is expected to produce a new medium-duty vehicle currently in development. The truckmaker broke ground this year on a new 273,000-square-foot cab assembly and stamping plant in Springfield that begins production in 2001. Navistar is also expanding its technology and engineering center in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Navistar produces its premium conventional heavy-duty trucks at its plant in Chatham, Ont.