CNH ANNOUNCES REGULATORY APPROVAL FOR REQUIRED DIVESTITURE OF TRACTOR LINES AND PLANT

The two companies announced last month that they had reached a sales agreement pending Department of Justice approval. The companies expect to complete the transaction by the end of this month.

Under the agreement, Buhler will supply the worldwide New Holland commercial organization with these tractor lines until October 31, 2001, and the Genesis and G/70 series tractors to markets outside of North America until December 31, 2002. Buhler also will supply Winnipeg-produced replacement parts for the tractor lines to the New Holland organization on an ongoing basis.

With strong global brands, CNH N.V. is a leader in the agricultural equipment, construction equipment and financial services industries and had combined 1999 revenues of approximately $11 billion. Based in the United States, CNH sells its products in 160 markets through a network of more than 10,000 dealers and distributors. CNH products are sold under the following brands: Case, Case IH, Fiatallis, Fiat-Hitachi, Link-Belt earth moving equipment, New Holland, O&K and Steyr.