SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 2002.
CNH GLOBAL N.V.
(TRANSLATION OF REGISTRANT'S NAME INTO ENGLISH)
WORLD TRADE CENTER
TOWER B, 10TH FLOOR
AMSTERDAM AIRPORT
THE NETHERLANDS
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)
Yes No X
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(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_______.)
[CNH LOGO] [KOBELCO LOGO]
NEWS RELEASE
CNH, KOBE STEEL AND KOBELCO FINALIZE GLOBAL ALLIANCE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
JEFFREY T. WALSH Media Relations (1) 847 955 3939
Lake Forest (January 10, 2002) - CNH Global N.V. (NYSE: CNH), the third largest
construction equipment maker in the world, announced today the completion of its
global alliance with Kobe Steel, Ltd., and Kobelco Construction Machinery Co.,
Ltd., the world's fourth largest manufacturer of hydraulic excavators, for the
development, production and selling of crawler excavators, including
mini-excavators, on a worldwide basis. With all necessary government approvals
in hand, the parties signed the final agreements today in Tokyo.
"This alliance is of strategic importance for our current and future position
within the global construction equipment business" said Paolo Monferino, CNH
president and chief executive officer. "The introduction of the new excavator
technology will allow CNH the global reach we require to be competitive in
today's market. A best-in-class product offering, economies of scale, purchasing
and manufacturing efficiencies, and a stronger and wider distribution network
are the key success factors of the newly announced alliance."
"Kobelco will become a full line supplier of construction equipment in Japan and
the Asia Pacific region, with the addition of CNH's broad product offering which
serves all industry segments in specific customer needs," said Tsuguto Moriwaki,
president and chief executive officer of Kobelco. "Our alliance will enable us
to better serve our customers worldwide. Customers in Japan and the Asia Pacific
region can look forward to a wider range of products and a more extensive
network. Kobelco will also have access to state of the art manufacturing plants
in Europe."
At closing, CNH has acquired a 10% interest in Kobelco Construction Machinery in
Japan and a 65% interest in Kobelco America. Likewise, Kobelco has acquired 100%
of CNH's construction equipment operations in Australia, Asia and China,
becoming an exclusive distributor of the Case and New Holland brands of
construction equipment in this region.
In the third quarter 2002, CNH will increase its interest in Kobelco
Construction Machinery in Japan to 20%. During the same period, in Europe, CNH
and Hitachi Construction Machinery Company, Ltd. will end their European
regional alliance. At that time, the operations of Fiat-Hitachi and Kobelco
Construction Machinery (Europe) B.V. will be combined to create Fiat-Kobelco
Construction Machinery in Europe. CNH will
- CNH Global N.V. Global Management Office
100 South Saunders Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045 U.S.A. http://www.cnh.com -
own 75% of the new entity and Kobelco Construction Machinery will hold a 20%
interest. Sumitomo Corporation will maintain its 5% stake.
CNH has the option to increase its interest in Kobelco Construction Machinery in
Japan to 35% by the third quarter 2004. Likewise, Kobelco Construction Machinery
in Japan has the option to increase its interest in Fiat-Kobelco Construction
Machinery in Europe to 35% by the same period.
In Europe, crawler excavators will be sold under both the Fiat-Kobelco and
Kobelco brands. Sumitomo Construction Machinery will continue to supply crawler
excavators to the Case Construction network and brand, and to the Link-Belt
network and brand in the Americas.
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CNH is the number one manufacturer of agricultural tractors and combines in the
world, the third largest maker of construction equipment, and has one of the
industry's largest equipment finance operations. Revenues in 2000 were over $10
billion. Based in the United States, CNH's network of dealers and distributors
operates in over 160 countries. CNH agricultural products are sold under the
Case IH, New Holland and Steyr brands. CNH construction equipment is sold under
the Case, Fiatallis, Fiat-Hitachi, Link-Belt, New Holland, and O&K brands. Kobe
Steel, Ltd. is one of Japan's leading steelmakers, as well as suppliers of
aluminum and copper products. Other major businesses include welding
consumables, infrastructure and plant engineering, industrial machinery, and
electronics and information. For the fiscal year ended March 2001, Kobe Steel
had consolidated sales of about US$ 11.1 billion. The company has head offices
in Kobe and Tokyo, Japan. For more information, please visit
www.kobelco.co.jp/indexe.htm
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Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., wholly-owned by Kobe Steel, is one of
Japan's top manufacturers of hydraulic excavators and cranes. Based in Tokyo,
Japan, Kobelco has annual sales of approximately US$ 1.3 billion. For more
information, please visit www.kobelco-kenki.co.jp/english_index.html
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SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE
REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED.
CNH Global N.V.
By: /s/ Debra E. Kuper
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Debra E. Kuper
Assistant Secretary
January 10, 2002