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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-112966

Subject to completion, dated May 26, 2004

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where their offer or sale is not permitted.

Preliminary Prospectus Supplement
(To Prospectus dated April 6, 2004)

LOGO

Navistar International Corporation
$250,000,000
       % Senior Notes due 2011

Interest payable                           and                            

Issue Price:

The senior notes will mature on                         , 2011. Interest is fixed at an annual rate of       % and is payable on                         and                          of each year, beginning on                         , 2004.

We may redeem some or all of the notes at any time on or after           , 2008. We may also redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the notes using the proceeds of certain public equity offerings completed before                         , 2007. The redemption prices are described beginning on page PS-44. If we sell certain of our assets or experience specific kinds of changes in control, we must offer to repurchase the notes. The notes will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by our principal operating subsidiary, International Truck and Engine Corporation.

See "Risk factors" beginning on page PS-25 for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider in connection with an investment in the notes.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the prospectus to which it relates are truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 
   Price to Public(1)
  Underwriting Discount(2)
  Proceeds to Company(1)(3)
Per    % Senior Notes due 2011     %     %     %
Total   $     $     $  
(1)
Plus accrued interest, if any, from                         , 2004.

(2)
The company has agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting."

(3)
Before deducting expenses payable by the company estimated at $500,000.

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently there is no public market for the notes.

We expect that delivery of the notes will be made to investors through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about                         , 2004.

Joint Book-Running Managers

JPMorgan   Credit Suisse First Boston
Banc of America Securities LLC   Citigroup   Scotia Capital
BNY Capital Markets, Inc. RBC Capital Markets

                         , 2004

In making your investment decision, you should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus dated April 6, 2004. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information appearing in the prospectus supplement and incorporated by reference herein is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstance imply that the information herein or the information incorporated by reference herein is correct as of any date subsequent to the date on the cover of this prospectus supplement.


Table of contents

Prospectus Supplement

 
   Page
Summary   PS-1
Risk factors   PS-25
Forward-looking statements   PS-36
Use of proceeds   PS-38
Capitalization   PS-39
Management   PS-41
Description of the notes   PS-43
Description of other financing arrangements   PS-88
Certain arrangements with NFC   PS-104
United States federal income tax considerations   PS-106
Underwriting   PS-111
Legal matters   PS-113
Experts   PS-113
Incorporation by reference and delivery of certain documents   PS-113
Where you can find additional information   PS-113


Prospectus

 
   Page
Where you can find more information   ii
Navistar filings   ii
Special note regarding forward-looking statements   iii
The companies   1
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges   1
Use of proceeds   2
Description of debt securities   3
Description of capital stock of NIC   15
Description of depositary shares   18
Description of warrants   21
Description of purchase contracts   24
Description of units   25
Plan of distribution   26
Legal matters   28
Experts   28


About this prospectus supplement

This prospectus supplement contains the terms of this offering and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying prospectus dated April 6, 2004, that forms part of the

i


Registration Statement on Form S-3 originally filed with the SEC on February 19, 2004. This prospectus supplement and any information incorporated by reference herein or in the accompanying prospectus may add, update or change information in the accompanying prospectus.

It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information in the documents we have referred you to in the section entitled "Where you can find additional information."

ii



Summary

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. The fiscal year of Navistar ends on October 31. Fiscal years are identified in this prospectus supplement according to the calendar year in which they end. For example, the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 is referred to as "fiscal 2003."

Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus supplement: (i) "company," "us," "we," "our" and "Navistar" refer to Navistar International Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries and their respective predecessors; (ii) "International" refers to International Truck and Engine Corporation, our principal operating subsidiary; (iii) "NIC" refers to Navistar International Corporation, exclusive of our subsidiaries; (iv) "NFC" refers to Navistar Financial Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of International, which together with NIC's three Mexican subsidiaries that provide financial services to its dealers and customers in Mexico, comprise our financial services operations; (v) "mid-range diesel engines" refers to 160-325 horsepower diesel fuel-powered engines; (vi) "North America" refers to the United States and Canada and (vii) "OEMs" refers to original equipment manufacturers.


Our company

We are a leading manufacturer and distributor of a full line of diesel-powered medium and heavy trucks, school buses and parts and services sold under the International® truck brand and IC™ bus lines. We sell truck products to the common carrier, private carrier, government/service, leasing, construction, energy/petroleum and student transportation markets. We are also the leading supplier of mid-range diesel engines in the 160-325 horsepower range. Diesel engines are sold under the International® brand as well as produced for other OEMs in the United States, Mexico and Brazil, principally Ford. We are the exclusive supplier of 6.0L electronically controlled diesel engines to Ford through the year 2012 for use in all of Ford's diesel-powered super-duty pick-up trucks and vans over 8,500 gross vehicle weight, or GVW, in North America.

We market our truck products, parts and services through the industry's largest dealer network in North America, specializing in medium and heavy trucks and school buses. As of October 31, 2003, our dealer network was comprised of 843 locations in North America. In addition, as of October 31, 2003, we had 70 dealer locations in Mexico and 80 dealer locations in 70 other countries. Our dealer network offers a comprehensive range of service, financing and other support functions to our customers. We also operate seven North American regional parts distribution centers that provide 24-hour availability and shipment with a 98% order fill rate of our truck and engine parts. We provide certain financial services to our customers and dealers through our financial services operations.

Our financial services operations are conducted through NFC and NIC's three Mexican finance subsidiaries. NFC is a commercial financing organization that provides wholesale, retail and lease financing for sales of new and used trucks sold to dealers and retail customers in the United States. NFC also finances our wholesale accounts and selected retails accounts receivable. NIC's three Mexican finance subsidiaries provide wholesale, retail and lease financing for sales of new and used trucks sold to dealers and retail customers in Mexico. The financial services operations also finance sales of new and used products of other

PS-1


manufacturers, regardless of whether those products are designed or customarily sold for use with International's truck products.

Demand for our truck and mid-range diesel engine products is cyclical and depends in part on the business environment, particularly the industrial sector. Levels of freight tonnage hauled, which track the primary end use for our truck products, are driven in large part by demand in the industrial sector. Our first quarter of fiscal 2004 was our best first fiscal quarter since fiscal 2000 in terms of net revenues and profitability. In our first quarter, truck industry volume was higher than we anticipated and, at this point, overall truck demand appears stronger than it did in 2003. We currently project the North American Class 8 heavy truck (including severe service vehicles) demand in fiscal 2004 to be 208,000 units, up 31% from 2003. We currently project Class 6 and 7 medium truck demand, excluding school buses, to be at 93,000 units, which is 24% higher than 2003.

Set forth below is certain information regarding our principal product lines based upon our results for fiscal 2003:

Product Line
Description
   Fiscal 2003
Revenues
(in millions)
   % of Fiscal
2003 Mfg.
Revenues
   Fiscal 2003
Unit
Deliveries(1)
   Estimated
Market
Share(2)
   Typical End-Use/User
Medium Trucks (Class 6-7)   $ 1,357   19.3%   31,401   42.0%   Local and regional delivery/beverage, refrigeration, utilities, towing, municipalities and emergency rescue
Heavy Trucks (Class 8)     1,162   16.5%   16,135   13.9%   Long-haul, local and regional delivery/fleets and owner operators
School Buses     967   13.8%   18,217   62.4%   School districts
Severe Service Vehicles     696   9.9%   9,976   23.2%   Construction, waste management and other on-off highway applications
Total Trucks   $ 4,182   59.5%   75,729   27.9%    
Mid-Range Diesel Engines   $ 1,774   25.2%   332,428   NA   Ford and other OEMs
Service Parts   $ 1,077   15.3%   NA   NA   All end-users listed in this table
(1)
Reflects North American retail unit deliveries of trucks, school buses and severe service vehicles and OEM deliveries of engines.

(2)
Combined North American markets for fiscal 2003.

Completion of Five Point Plan and current strategic focus

We have completed a comprehensive, strategic investment and product development program, which we refer to as our Five Point Plan. From 1997 to 2002, we made significant investments,

PS-2


including $1,390 million of research and development and $2,013 million of capital investments, much of which related to our Five Point Plan. These investments have substantially transformed our company by allowing us to upgrade our product line and improve our cost structure. We believe that these actions have enhanced our business and financial profile and improved our position in the marketplace. The goals and results to date of our Five Point Plan are:

PS-3

Our current strategic focus builds upon the foundation created with the completion of the Five Point Plan. We believe that we have significant new opportunities to increase revenue. In addition, we believe we can continue to improve our cost structure and product quality relative to our competition to further enhance the recent improvements achieved through the completion of the Five Point Plan. Specifically, our strategic focus in the next few years is as follows:

PS-4

Competitive strengths

Strong market positions in truck products.    We are a leading manufacturer of Class 5-8 trucks and school buses. In fiscal 2003, our combined market share in the North American Class 5-8 truck market was approximately 26.2%. We are the leading manufacturer of Class 6-7 medium trucks and school bus chassis in North America, with an estimated fiscal 2003 market share of 42.0% for Class 6-7 medium trucks and 62.4% in school bus chassis. Beginning in 1999, we invested significantly in repositioning our truck product brand, resulting in what we believe is one of the strongest brands in the industry. The introduction of our HPV medium trucks, with enhanced product quality, lifecycle value and brand strength, has driven market share for Class 6-7 trucks from 40.5% in 2000 to 42.0% in 2003. Our new integrated bus strategy has allowed us to maintain our market share of approximately 62.4% in bus chassis while improving our market share in bus bodies from approximately 14.8% in 1995 to approximately 41.4% in 2003.

Leading global supplier of mid-range diesel engines.    We are the leading global supplier of mid-range diesel engines, shipping approximately 396,000 engines in fiscal 2003. As a result of our significant engine volumes, we have achieved economies of scale which we believe give us a competitive advantage. We have maintained technological leadership and have rapidly developed and deployed new technology to reduce emissions and meet changing regulatory requirements. We believe our diesel engine technology represents the most cost effective solution to our customers in terms of fuel economy, horsepower, torque and emissions. We also have an exclusive supply agreement with Ford to produce mid-range V-8 diesel engines for use in its 8,500 to 12,500 lbs. GVW pick-up trucks, vans and sport-utility vehicles, or SUVs, for sale in North America through 2012. Our strong engine products, including Ford's PowerStroke™ brand, are recognized throughout the industry and by Ford's customers as premium, high-performance products. Of the approximately two million PowerStroke™ engines we manufactured since 1994, 99% are still in operation today. This proven reliability has helped us to achieve a market share of 50% of these diesel engines in fiscal 2003. Our strong brand recognition, our long-standing Tier I Supplier relationship with Ford and our diesel engine technology leadership allow us to maintain our leading position in mid-range diesel engines.

Improved, more flexible cost structure.    We have improved and continue to improve our cost structure by reducing both fixed and variable costs. As a part of our Five Point Plan, we have re-aligned our manufacturing facilities and processes to increase flexibility and efficiency. We are currently finalizing agreements with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario to provide us with investment and financial support sufficient to meet our financial requirements and conditions to keep our Chatham facility open. In addition, we have closed both a manufacturing line and the body plant at our Springfield facility, and we have streamlined our manufacturing process through increased modularization and automation. In 2002, we signed a new five-year collective bargaining agreement with the UAW that provides

PS-5


for lower wages and benefits for new hires, more flexible overtime, healthcare cost sharing with employees, a reduction in future pension expenses and reduced costs associated with layoffs. As a result of these actions, we believe we will be better positioned to maintain profitability through future downturns in the cyclical truck business and to increase profitability at the peak of this cycle.

Large installed customer base and leading parts program.    As a result of both our strong market positions and the industry's largest dealer network, we have a substantial installed base of truck and engine products that provides us and our dealers with profitable, stable revenues from the sale of truck and engine parts. We believe that there are over 1.6 million International® trucks and over 3.8 million of our mid-range diesel engines in operation throughout the world. Our dealer network has access to our parts database, through which they can order parts for our products and for those of our competitors with a 98% order fill rate. Beginning in 2001, our Blue Diamond Parts joint venture with Ford has provided us with another channel for part sales growth. This joint venture will have the opportunity to sell parts for our diesel engines sold to Ford in North America and parts associated with trucks produced by the Blue Diamond Truck joint venture. Revenues from truck and engine parts have grown at a 6.09% compound annual growth rate, from $530 million in fiscal 1991 to $1,077 million for fiscal 2003. We are committed to growing our parts distribution business to increase these profitable and stable revenues, which helps to mitigate the impacts of the cyclicality of our truck sales.

Business strategy

Truck strategy

Organic growth through High Performance Vehicle (HPV) platform.    In February 2001, we successfully initiated the introduction of our HPV line. Since that time, we have substantially completed the launch of an entire line of new school buses, high performance medium trucks, severe service vehicles and regional-haul heavy trucks. We position our truck products versus our competitors' on a lifecycle value basis. We are continuously improving the lifecycle value of our products through new innovations. These innovations are expected to result in lower vehicle operating costs, as well as lower repair, maintenance and unplanned downtime costs. Since the introduction of the medium high performance truck, our lifecycle value proposition has improved our market share in the Class 6-7 truck market from 40.5% in 2000 to 42.0% in 2003 and has enabled us to maintain premium pricing despite low industry volumes. Furthermore, fleet leasing customers, which have historically represented an important portion of our customer base, have historically not been large purchasers of trucks during economic downturns. We expect that as these customers begin to purchase fleet vehicles in a growing economy, our market share will further improve. The commonality of design throughout the product line from Class 6 to Class 8 provides us with significant purchasing, engineering and manufacturing scale. It is our intention to continue to leverage this scale through the introduction of new products, including a new Line Haul, Class 8 vehicle, which is scheduled for introduction in late 2007.

Improve manufacturing efficiency and cost structure.    As a part of our Five Point Plan, we have focused our manufacturing facilities and simplified product designs resulting in improved efficiency and lower costs. We believe significant investments in truck manufacturing, including a new intelligent body assembly system for medium truck cabs, will greatly reduce labor cost

PS-6


and improve product quality. We have already reduced labor hours per unit through manufacturing efficiencies in our HPV line by approximately 20% to 30% as compared to our previous models. Our focus on streamlining our supply chain to attain greater purchasing leverage is expected to result in significant savings, which we expect to increase as volumes recover. Supplier partnerships have been a key factor in reducing product complexity, improving quality and enhancing customer value.

Leverage Blue Diamond truck production.    In September 2001, we formed the Blue Diamond Truck joint venture with Ford to produce Class 3-7 commercial vehicles. The first Blue Diamond truck, a Class 6-7 medium truck, began production in December 2002. Through this joint venture, we are capitalizing on Ford's and Navistar's combined medium truck volumes to generate manufacturing efficiencies and economies of scale. Additionally, we expect to launch production of the Class 4-5 LCF vehicle in early 2005 and the Class 3 in mid-2007, which represents a new opportunity in a 30,000 to 40,000 unit per year market. We are also currently exploring other initiatives through the Blue Diamond Truck joint venture.

Capitalize on dealer network.    We have the industry's largest dealer network in North America, consisting of 843 dealer locations as of October 31, 2003, which is a key competitive advantage over other truck and school bus manufacturers. We believe that our dealer network as a whole more effectively penetrates the customer base, provides a greater number of value-added services and has better parts availability when compared to our competitors. We continue to strengthen our dealer network by implementing programs designed to train and incentivize dealers to upgrade their facilities and increase their service capabilities. Since 1998, we have worked closely with our dealers to help them achieve our Diamond Standard™ to deliver a "best in class" image, facility quality, operating and financial performance. We believe that our dealer network is an important part of our truck strategy, driving both new and used unit sales and recurring service and parts revenue.

Engine strategy

Enhance diesel engine technology leadership.    We are an industry leader in diesel engine technology and believe we have an established reputation of meeting and exceeding quality and emissions requirements of our customers and government regulatory agencies, respectively. In March 2002, we launched the new VT 365 V-8 diesel engine for use in our medium trucks. This engine features key technological advances, including four valves per cylinder, an advanced fuel system, cooled exhaust gas recirculation system and advanced turbochargers. In November 2002, we launched our new 6.0L PowerStroke™ V-8 turbo engine for use in Ford's F-Series Super Duty pick-up trucks. In 2004, we launched our new I-6 diesel engine, which is only sold in International trucks and helps the company achieve its current industry-leading 42% market share for Class 6-7 medium trucks. We believe our diesel engine technology leadership has allowed us to maintain strong market share and grow our profitable engine business.

Capitalize on dieselization trends.    Diesel engines are currently used in a significant portion of North American commercial vehicles. The percentage of Class 5-7 medium trucks and heavy pick-up trucks using diesel engines have increased over time to approximately 88% and 55%, respectively, in 2003 from approximately 50% and 10%, respectively, in 1983. We believe this trend is a result of advances in diesel engine technology, which has dramatically improved fuel economy and power as compared to gasoline engines. In 2003, we maintained a 48% share of

PS-7


total North American on-highway diesel engine production and a 50% share of mid-range diesel engines in over 8,500 lbs. GVW pick-up trucks, vans and SUVs. In the future, we expect the global dieselization trends to positively impact our longer-term engine growth opportunities due to our diesel engine technology leadership, market position and product capabilities.

Expand strategic relationships.    We have a long history of strong strategic relationships with major customers and suppliers. We have been supplying diesel engines to Ford since 1982 and have a long-term exclusive supply agreement to provide diesel engines to Ford through 2012 for use in its over 8,500 lbs. GVW pick-up trucks, vans and SUVs in North America. Under this supply agreement, we developed the 6.0L PowerStroke™ V-8 turbo engine, demand for which we expect will continue to grow with the increased dieselization of the heavy duty pick-up truck market. We have significantly expanded our relationship with Ford over the last decade, including the formation of the Blue Diamond joint ventures. We have also leveraged the scale and technology of our suppliers to reduce our manufacturing costs.

Business environment

Sales of Class 5-8 trucks have historically been cyclical, with demand affected by such economic factors as industrial production, construction, demand for consumer durable goods, interest rates and the earnings and cash flow of dealers and customers. Truck sales in 2003 were hindered by a number of factors including the overall state of the economy, rising insurance costs, tightened credit availability and a large decline in sales to leasing companies. The demand for medium trucks and school buses in 2003 reflected these adverse conditions. Beginning in 2004, heavy truck customers and leasing companies began to resume purchases in response to signs of an overall economic recovery, which has resulted in increased order receipts in the heavy and medium truck industries. Our North American order backlog at January 31, 2004, increased to 21,700 units, compared to 19,300 units at January 31, 2003.

We currently project North American heavy truck demand to be 208,000 units in fiscal 2004, up 31% from fiscal 2003 and Class 6-7 medium truck demand, excluding school buses, to be at 93,000 units, up 24% from fiscal 2003. We project demand for school buses to be 27,500 units in fiscal 2004, down 6% from fiscal 2003. Mid-range diesel engine shipments by us to OEMs in fiscal 2004 are expected to be 349,000 units, 5% higher than fiscal 2003. We currently expect total Class 6-8 North American truck demand to increase to approximately 400,000 units in fiscal 2005 and 429,000 units in fiscal 2006.

Corporate structure

NIC is a holding company that conducts its manufacturing operations principally through International and, to a lesser extent, certain other wholly owned foreign and domestic subsidiaries. Our manufacturing operations are supported by our financial services subsidiaries, including NFC. Our financial services subsidiaries provide wholesale, retail and lease financing for sales of new and used trucks, truck chassis, buses and trailers, service parts and engines by International and retail and lease financing for sales of such products by International dealers to their customers.

For the most part, our financial services subsidiaries fund their operations on an independent basis. Our financial services subsidiaries obtain funds to provide financing to our dealers and retail customers from sales of receivables, medium- and long-term debt securities and short-

PS-8


and long-term bank borrowings. As of January 31, 2004, NFC had $821 million of combined funding availability from its bank credit facility and other on- and off-balance sheet funding conduits.

We provide credit support to NFC under NFC's bank credit facility through an agreement whereby International has agreed not to permit NFC's consolidated income before income taxes, interest expense and dividends on preferred stock, if any, to be less than 125% of NFC's consolidated interest expense and dividends on preferred stock, if any, for any period of four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the date of measurement. For fiscal 2003, NFC's ratio of income before income taxes and consolidated interest expense to its consolidated interest expense was 300%. International has not made a payment to NFC under this arrangement since 1984. In addition, NIC had guaranteed an aggregate of $138 million of outstanding borrowings by its financial services subsidiaries as of January 31, 2004.

In general, we sell to NFC on a regular basis for cash all wholesale and retail notes which we acquire in the regular course of our business from the sale of trucks and related equipment to our dealers and retail customers. As a result, such sales to NFC provide us with significant working capital during periods of increasing unit sales volume.

PS-9

The following chart summarizes our principal organizational structure as discussed above:

GRAPHIC

The following table sets forth NIC's principal outstanding indebtedness as of January 31, 2004 after giving effect to the sale of the notes in the offering and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom as set forth in "Use of proceeds" and to the Concurrent Transactions described beginning on page PS-13:

Title of Security
   Amount

 
 
(in millions)
Notes offered hereby   $ 250.0
93/8% senior notes due 2006     400.0
2.5% senior convertible notes due 2007     190.0
4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes due 2009     220.0
   
Total   $ 1,060.0

All of NIC's existing senior notes have been unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by International. In addition, NIC has guaranteed approximately $16 million of outstanding borrowings by International and $138 million of outstanding borrowings by its financial services subsidiaries as of January 31, 2004.

PS-10


International will unconditionally guarantee on a senior unsecured basis all of NIC's obligations under the notes offered hereby and the related indenture. For the most part, substantially all of NIC's foreign and domestic manufacturing subsidiaries will be considered "Restricted Subsidiaries" under the indenture governing the notes and NFC, its subsidiaries, and NIC's foreign finance subsidiaries and the Blue Diamond joint venture entities will be "Unrestricted Subsidiaries" under the indenture governing the notes. For more information relating to NFC's financing arrangements and the relationship between International and NFC, see "Capitalization," "Description of the notes—Guarantee," "Description of other financing arrangements" and "Certain arrangements with NFC."

PS-11


Recent developments

Second quarter operating results

We recently announced our operating results for our second quarter of fiscal 2004, but have not yet filed our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period then ended. The following financial data was derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which financial statements, in management's opinion, reflect all adjustments consisting of only normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such information. Results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for any other interim period or for an entire fiscal year. The following data summarizes our results of operations for this period and for the first half of fiscal 2004:

 
 
   Three Months Ended
April 30,
   Six Months Ended
April 30,
  
(in millions)

   2004
   2003
   2004
   2003
  
 
Income Statement Data:                          
Total sales and revenues   $ 2,331   $ 1,864   $ 4,190   $ 3,442  
Costs and expenses:                          
  Cost of products and services sold     1,976     1,588     3,579     3,008  
  Other expenses     290     294     583     607  
   
 
Total costs and expenses     2,266     1,882     4,162     3,615  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     65     (18 )   28     (173 )
Income tax expense (benefit)     24     (6 )   10     (63 )
   
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations   $ 41   $ (12 ) $ 18   $ (110 )
Loss from discontinued operations     —     (2 )   —     (3 )
   
 
Net income (loss)     41     (14 )   18     (113 )
   
 

Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets   $ 6,884   $ 6,777              
   
             
Debt:                          
  Manufacturing operations   $ 888   $ 911              
  Financial services operations     1,595     1,647              
   
             
    Total debt   $ 2,483   $ 2,558              
   
             
Total shareowners' equity   $ 368   $ 272              
   
             

Other Financial Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations   $ 41   $ (12 )            
Interest expense     30     33              
Income tax expense (benefit)     24     (6 )            
Depreciation and amortization     52     51              
   
             
EBITDA(1)   $ 147   $ 66              
 
(1)
EBITDA is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. For more information regarding the use of EBITDA as a financial measure, see note 6 to "—Summary consolidated financial data."

Worldwide shipments of International® brand medium and heavy trucks and school buses during the second quarter of fiscal 2004 totaled 26,500 units, compared with 21,400 units in the second quarter of fiscal 2003.

PS-12

Shipments of mid-range diesel engines to OEMs during the second quarter of fiscal 2004 totaled 91,100 units, down from 95,800 units in the second quarter of fiscal 2003.

For more information relating to our operating results for our second quarter of fiscal 2004, see the press release attached as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 20, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Concurrent transactions

Tender offer and consent solicitation relating to 8% senior subordinated notes due 2008

On May 11, 2004, we commenced (1) a tender offer to purchase any and all of the $250 million aggregate principal amount of our 8% senior subordinated notes due 2008, and (2) a solicitation of consents to certain proposed amendments to the indenture governing the senior subordinated notes, which amendments would eliminate substantially all of the covenants in the indenture restricting our actions, other than covenants to pay principal of and interest on the 8% senior subordinated notes when due, and will eliminate or modify the related events of default. The total amount of funds required to repurchase the 8% senior subordinated notes, assuming all of the 8% senior subordinated notes are tendered prior to the consent solicitation deadline, is expected to be approximately $257 million. As of May 25, 2004, an aggregate of $179.5 million of the 8% senior subordinated notes have been tendered in the offer. Any 8% senior subordinated notes not tendered in the offer are expected to be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 102.67% in accordance with the indenture. We intend to use the net proceeds from the notes offered hereby to repurchase the 8% senior subordinated notes. See "Use of proceeds."

Consent solicitation relating to 93/8% senior notes due 2006

On May 11, 2004, we commenced a solicitation of consents with respect to our 93/8% senior notes due 2006, pursuant to which we have offered to pay each holder of 93/8% senior notes who validly consents to the proposed transactions described in the consent solicitation statement a consent fee equal to $10.00 for $1,000 principal amount of 93/8% senior notes held by such holder. The consents will:

PS-13

In order for the proposed transactions to be approved, duly executed consents representing not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 93/8% senior notes must be received. We have received the requisite number of consents from holders of the outstanding 93/8% senior notes.

Assumption of 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes due 2009

On March 25, 2002, NFC issued an aggregate principal amount of $220.0 million of its 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes due 2009 pursuant to an indenture, dated March 25, 2002, among NFC, NIC and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. NIC has not guaranteed the payment of principal or interest on the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes and the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes are currently not obligations of NIC or any of its affiliates, other than NFC. The 4.75% notes may be exchanged for shares of NIC's common stock at an exchange price of $55.73 per share at any time by the holder thereof. NIC received approximately $50 million in net proceeds at the time of the original sale of the 4.75% notes in consideration of the exchange feature contained in the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes indenture. Article 13 of the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes indenture provides that NIC can assume all of the obligations of NFC under the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes and the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes indenture if certain conditions as outlined therein are satisfied. If assumed by NIC, the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes will be subordinated in right of payment to the notes being offered hereby and the 93/8% notes and NIC will receive a cash payment from NFC of approximately $170 million. Although it is NIC's intention to assume the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes, NIC reserves the right not to do so if circumstances change. See "Description of other financing arrangements—4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes" for a brief description of the terms of the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes.

For ease of reference, we collectively refer in this prospectus supplement to the tender offer and consent solicitation relating to the 8% senior subordinated notes, the consent solicitation relating to the 93/8% senior notes and the assumption of the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes by NIC as the "Concurrent Transactions."

PS-14



The offering


Issuer
 
Navistar International Corporation.

Notes offered
 
$250 million in aggregate principal amount of       % Senior Notes due 2011.

Maturity date
 
                         , 2011.

Interest payment dates
 
                         and                          of each year, commencing                         , 2004.

Optional redemption
 
The notes will be redeemable at the option of NIC in whole at any time or in part at any time on and after           , 2008 at the redemption prices set forth in this prospectus supplement plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

 
 
In addition, at any time on or before                         , 2007, we may also redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the notes using the proceeds of public offerings of equity of NIC at a redemption price equal to             %, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, so long as at least 65% of the original principal amount of the notes remains outstanding after each permitted redemption made with equity proceeds.

Sinking fund
 
None.

Ranking
 
The notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of NIC. Accordingly, they will rank:

 
 
•
behind all of NIC's future secured debt, if any, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt;

 
 
•
equally with all of NIC's existing and future senior unsecured debt, which includes the 93/8% senior notes due 2006 and the 2.5% senior convertible notes due 2007; and

 
 
•
ahead of any of NIC's existing and future subordinated debt.

 
 
As of January 31, 2004, after giving pro forma effect to the offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom and the Concurrent Transactions:

 
 
•
NIC would have had $1,060 million of total indebtedness outstanding (including the notes), of which $840 million would have ranked equally with the notes and $220 million would have been subordinated to the notes;

 
 
•
NIC's financial services subsidiaries would have had $138 million of indebtedness and International would have had $16 million of indebtedness that was guaranteed by NIC, which guarantees rank equally with the notes; and

 
 
•
NIC's non-guarantor subsidiaries would have had $2,505 million of liabilities (including trade payables), of which $1,699 million would be liabilities of the financial services operations. See "Description of the notes—Ranking."
       

PS-15


Subsidiary guarantee
 
The payment of the principal, premium and interest on the notes will be guaranteed by International (the "International Guarantee"). International will be released from its obligations under the International Guarantee upon the occurrence of certain events that are described more fully at "Description of the notes—Guarantee."

 
 
The International Guarantee will be a senior, unsecured obligation of International and, as a result, it will rank:

 
 
•
behind all of International's future secured debt, if any, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt;

 
 
•
equally with all of International's existing and future senior unsecured debt, which includes the 9.95% senior notes due 2011 and International's guarantee of the 93/8% senior notes due 2006 and the 2.5% senior convertible notes due 2007; and

 
 
•
ahead of any of International's existing and future subordinated debt.

 
 
As of January 31, 2004, after giving pro forma effect to the offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom and the Concurrent Transactions, International would have had approximately $856 million of total indebtedness outstanding (including all guaranteed obligations), all of which would have ranked equally with the International Guarantee.

Change of control
 
If a change of control occurs, subject to certain conditions, we must give holders of the notes an opportunity to sell to us the notes at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the purchase. See "Description of the notes—Change of control."

Restrictive covenants
 
The indenture governing the notes will contain covenants that limit our ability and all of our restricted subsidiaries' ability to:

 
 
•
incur additional indebtedness;

 
 
•
create liens or enter into sale-leaseback transactions;

 
 
•
pay dividends on our capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire our capital stock or subordinated indebtedness;

 
 
•
make investments;

 
 
•
create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our restricted subsidiaries;

 
 
•
engage in transactions with our affiliates;

 
 
•
sell assets, including capital stock of our subsidiaries;

 
 
•
guarantee our indebtedness; and

 
 
•
consolidate, merge or transfer assets.
       

PS-16


 
 
These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications, which are described under "Description of the notes—Certain covenants."

 
 
After the notes have been assigned an investment grade rating by both Standard & Poor's and Moody's, NIC and its restricted subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the provisions of certain of the covenants listed above. See "Description of the notes—Certain covenants—Application of fall away covenants."

Absence of public market; listing of the notes
 


The notes are new securities and there is currently no established trading market for the notes. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for any of the notes. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes. However, they are not obligated to do so, and may discontinue any market making with respect to the notes at any time in their sole discretion. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or to arrange for any quotation system to quote them. See "Underwriting."

Use of proceeds
 
We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering together with cash on hand to repurchase up to $250 million aggregate principal amount of our existing 8% senior subordinated notes and pay related tender fees and premiums (including consent payments). The 8% senior subordinated notes mature on February 1, 2008. See "Use of proceeds."

PS-17


Risk factors

Investment in the notes involves risk. You should carefully consider the information under "Risk factors" beginning on page PS-25 and all other information included in this prospectus supplement before investing in the notes.


Industry data

In this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated therein by reference, we rely on and refer to information regarding the heavy and medium truck, bus and mid-range diesel engine markets from several sources, including internal estimates and industry publications, including those generated by Ward's Communications in the United States, the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association, R.L. Polk & Company and Power Systems Research of Minneapolis, Minnesota as well as other sources. Although we believe this information is reliable, neither we nor the underwriters can guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the information and neither we nor the underwriters have independently verified it or make any representations as to the accuracy of such information. Unless otherwise indicated, all market data relates only to those markets in the United States and Canada.


Additional information

NIC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1993 and is the successor to the truck and engine business of International Harvester Company, which business began in 1907. Our principal executive offices are located at 4201 Winfield Road, Warrenville, Illinois 60555, and our telephone number is (630) 753-5000. Our Web site is www.internationaldelivers.com. Our Web site, and the information contained therein, are expressly not included in or as part of this prospectus supplement.

PS-18



Summary consolidated financial data

Navistar International Corporation and consolidated subsidiaries

The following consolidated financial information for the five-year period ended October 31, 2003 has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The selected historical consolidated financial information for the three months ended January 31, 2004 and 2003 was derived from Navistar's unaudited consolidated financial statements, which financial statements, in management's opinion, reflect all adjustments, consisting of only normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of such information. Results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for any other interim period or for an entire year. This information should be read in conjunction with "Selected Consolidated Historical Financial and Operating Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and Navistar's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, either included elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

 
 
   Three Months Ended
January 31,
   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31,
  
(in millions)
   2004
   2003
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
  
 
Selected Income Statement Data:                                            
Sales and revenues:                                            
  Sales of manufactured products   $ 1,806   $ 1,481   $ 7,033   $ 6,493   $ 6,400   $ 8,095   $ 8,308  
  Finance and insurance revenue(1)     50     92     287     271     296     311     256  
  Other income     3     5     20     20     43     44     60  
   
 
    Total sales and revenues     1,859     1,578     7,340     6,784     6,739     8,450     8,624  
   
 
Costs and expenses:                                            
  Costs of products and services sold     1,603     1,420     6,229     5,817     5,608     6,766     6,842  
  Cost of products sold related to restructuring(2)     —     —     9     23     11     20     —  
   
 
    Total cost of products and services sold     1,603     1,420     6,238     5,840     5,619     6,786     6,842  
All other restructuring and non-recurring charges(2)     4     —     (41 )   519     2     269     —  
Loss on sale of business(2)     —     —     —     2     (13 )   17     —  
Postretirement benefits expense     66     83     297     228     171     146     216  
Engineering and research expense     64     57     242     260     253     280     281  
Selling, general and administrative expense     121     124     487     521     543     481     479  
Interest expense     31     38     136     154     161     146     135  
Other expense     7     11     26     29     36     86     71  
   
 
  Total costs and expenses     1,896     1,733     7,385     7,553     6,772     8,211     8,024  
   
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     (37 )   (155 )   (45 )   (769 )   (33 )   239     600  
Income tax expense (benefit)(3)     (14 )   (57 )   (31 )   (293 )   (24 )   65     51  
   
 
  Income (loss) from continuing operations     (23 )   (98 )   (14 )   (476 )   (9 )   174     549  
Discontinued operations, net of tax:(4)                                            
  Loss from discontinued operations     —     —     —     (14 )   (14 )   (15 )   (5 )
  Loss on disposal     —     (1 )   (4 )   (46 )   —     —     —  
   
 
    Loss from discontinued operations     —     (1 )   (4 )   (60 )   (14 )   (15 )   (5 )
   
 
    Net income (loss)   $ (23 ) $ (99 ) $ (18 ) $ (536 ) $ (23 ) $ 159   $ 544  
 

PS-19
 
   At January 31,
   At October 31,
(in millions)
   2004
   2003
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
Selected Balance Sheet Data:                                          
Total assets(5)   $ 6,720   $ 6,802   $ 6,900   $ 6,957   $ 7,164   $ 6,959   $ 6,971
   
Current maturities of long-term debt   $ 277   $ 371   $ 214   $ 358   $ 412   $ 482   $ 192
Long-term debt:                                          
  Manufacturing operations     854     890     863     747     908     437     445
  Financial services operations     1,388     1,447     1,533     1,651     1,560     1,711     1,630
   
    Total long-term debt     2,242     2,337     2,396     2,398     2,468     2,148     2,075
   
      Total debt   $ 2,519   $ 2,708   $ 2,610   $ 2,756   $ 2,880   $ 2,630   $ 2,267
   
Total shareowners' equity   $ 320   $ 289   $ 310   $ 251   $ 1,127   $ 1,314   $ 1,291


 
 
   Three Months Ended
January 31,
   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31,
  
(in millions, except ratio,
employee, market share
and unit data)
  
  2004
   2003
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
  
 
Selected Other Financial Data:                                            
EBITDA(6)   $ 44   $ (60 ) $ 282   $ (395 ) $ 345   $ 584   $ 909  
Capital expenditures     22     48     206     242     326     553     427  
Depreciation and amortization     50     57     191     220     217     199     174  
Interest expense     31     38     136     154     161     146     135  
Cash provided by (used in):                                            
  Operations     (326 )   (344 )   (50 )   (99 )   189     672     302  
  Investing programs     216     130     (136 )   (15 )   140     (871 )   (451 )
  Financing activities     (63 )   98     13     (88 )   196     253     2  
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(7)     —     —     —     —     —     2.1x     4.6x  

Operating Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of employees:                                            
  Worldwide     14,000     15,000     14,200     16,500     16,500     17,000     18,600  
  United States     11,100     11,300     11,000     13,300     13,600     14,600     15,000  
North American retail deliveries of trucks and school buses     20,700     17,100     75,700     74,300     82,400     118,200     119,300  
North American market share(8)     25.4%     26.7%     26.2%     25.8%     26.3%     26.9%     25.6%  
Unit shipments worldwide:                                            
    Trucks and school buses     22,500     18,700     84,700     84,100     89,600     124,900     129,000  
    OEM engines     74,500     63,400     332,400     315,100     324,900     304,400     286,500  
 
(1)
Includes revenues of NFC as well as our other financial services subsidiaries.

(2)
Through January 31, 2004, we recorded cumulative charges of $823 million relating to our 2000 and 2002 Plans of Restructuring and other non-recurring charges. The remaining liability of $142 million is expected to be funded from existing cash balances and internally generated cash flows from operations. The total cash outlay for the remainder of fiscal 2004 is expected to be $39 million with the remaining obligations of $103 million, primarily related to non-recurring charges and long-term non-cancelable lease agreements, to be settled in 2005 and beyond.

(3)
In fiscal 1999, we benefited from reductions to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $178 million.

(4)
The exit of the Brazil domestic truck market has been recorded as a discontinued operation. As a result, prior periods have been reclassified to conform with this presentation. See note 12 to our 2003 annual consolidated financial statements, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

PS-20

(5)
Due to the sale of Harco National Insurance Company, or Harco, on November 30, 2001, total assets for all periods presented reflects the reclassification of Harco's net assets and liabilities to other current assets. For more information regarding the sale of Harco, see note 11 to our 2003 annual consolidated financial statements, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

(6)
EBITDA is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations plus interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a measure commonly used in the transportation industry and is presented to aid in developing an understanding of the ability of our operations to generate cash for debt service and taxes, as well as cash for investments in working capital, capital expenditures and other liquidity needs. This information is presented as a supplement to the other data provided because it provides information which we believe is useful for additional analysis. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operating activities and other consolidated operations or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of our profitability or liquidity as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Further, EBITDA, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to calculations of similarly-titled measures by other companies. The following table provides a reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations to EBITDA:

 
   Three Months Ended
January 31,
   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31,
(in millions)
   2004
   2003
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
Income (loss) from continuing operations   $ (23 ) $ (98 ) $ (14 ) $ (476 ) $ (9 ) $ 174   $ 549
Interest expense     31     38     136     154     161     146     135
Income tax expense (benefit)     (14 )   (57 )   (31 )   (293 )   (24 )   65     51
Depreciation and amortization     50     57     191     220     217     199     174
   
EBITDA   $ 44   $ (60 ) $ 282   $ (395 ) $ 345   $ 584   $ 909
 
   Three Months Ended
January 31,
   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31,
(in millions)
   2004
   2003
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
Restructuring and other non-recurring charges   $ 4   $ —   $ (32 ) $ 544   $ —   $ 306   $ —
(7)
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is determined by dividing pre-tax income from continuing operations, adjusted for the cumulative changes in accounting policy, interest expense, debt expense amortization and the portion of rental expense deemed representative of an interest factor by the sum of interest expense, debt expense amortization and the portion of rental expense deemed representative of the interest factor. For fiscal 2001, 2002 and 2003, our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $75 million, $783 million and $52 million, respectively. For the first quarters of fiscal 2004 and 2003, our earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $39 million and $157 million, respectively.

(8)
Based on retail deliveries of medium trucks (Classes 5—7), including school buses, and heavy trucks (Class 8) in the United States and Canada by us and our dealers, compared to the industry total in the United States and Canada of retail deliveries.

PS-21


Supplemental financial and operating data

Navistar International Corporation (with financial services operations on an equity basis)

The following tables set forth certain supplemental financial and operating data of Navistar with our financial services operations set forth on an equity basis of accounting. We have included this supplemental financial and operating data to assist prospective investors in evaluating an investment in the notes. This information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our financial data that has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The information set forth herein should be read in conjunction with "Selected Consolidated Historical Financial and Operating Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and Navistar's consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, either included elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

 
 
   Three Months Ended
January 31,
   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31,
  
(in millions)
   2004
   2003
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
  
 
Selected Condensed Statement of Income:                                            
Sales of manufactured products   $ 1,807   $ 1,481   $ 7,034   $ 6,493   $ 6,400   $ 8,095   $ 8,308  
Other income     2     3     15     11     19     33     44  
   
 
  Total sales and revenues     1,809     1,484     7,049     6,504     6,419     8,128     8,352  
Costs of products sold     1,591     1,403     6,172     5,754     5,537     6,706     6,806  
Cost of products sold related to restructuring(1)     —     —     9     23     11     20     —  
   
 
  Total cost of products and services sold     1,591     1,484     6,181     5,777     5,548     6,726     6,806  
Restructuring and other non-recurring charges(1)     4     —     (45 )   519     3     267     —  
Postretirement benefits expense     65     83     293     226     170     146     216  
Engineering and research expense     64     57     242     260     253     280     281  
Selling, general and administrative expense     108     108     423     448     462     421     426  
Other expense     31     36     121     124     116     134     140  
   
 
  Total costs and expenses     1,863     1,687     7,215     7,354     6,552     7,974     7,869  
   
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:                                            
  Manufacturing operations     (54 )   (203 )   (166 )   (850 )   (133 )   154     483  
  Financial services operations     17     48     121     81     100     85     117  
   
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes     (37 )   (155 )   (45 )   (769 )   (33 )   239     600  
Income tax expense (benefit)(2)     (14 )   (57 )   (31 )   (293 )   (24 )   65     51  
   
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations     (23 )   (98 )   (14 )   (476 )   (9 )   174     549  
Discontinued operations, net of tax:(3)                                            
  Loss from discontinued operations     —     —     —     (14 )   (14 )   (15 )   (5 )
Loss on disposal     —     (1 )   (4 )   (46 )   —     —     —  
   
 
  Loss from discontinued operations     —     (1 )   (4 )   (60 )   (14 )   (15 )   (5 )
   
 
Net income (loss)   $ (23 ) $ (99 ) $ (18 ) $ (536 ) $ (23 ) $ 159   $ 544  
 

PS-22
 
   At January 31,
   At October 31,
(in millions)
   2004
   2003
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
Selected Condensed Balance Sheet Data:                                          
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities   $ 279   $ 473   $ 502   $ 549   $ 806   $ 294   $ 386
Property and equipment, net     1,122     1,089     1,144     1,208     1,359     1,464     1,188
Total assets     4,981     5,014     5,070     4,980     5,103     4,698     4,978
Postretirement benefits liabilities     1,719     1,602     1,995     1,618     1,069     773     776
Total debt(4)     887     1,022     896     897     966     572     476
Total shareowners' equity     320     289     310     251     1,127     1,314     1,291


 
 
   Three Months Ended
January 31,
   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31,
  
(in millions)
   2004
   2003
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
  
 
Other Financial Data:                                            
EBITDA(5)   $ 15   $ (96 ) $ 157   $ (552 ) $ 144   $ 397   $ 760  
Capital expenditures     22     47     205     237     325     552     425  
Depreciation and amortization     37     41     137     155     150     140     126  
Interest expense (net of capitalized interest)(6)     15     18     65     62     27     18     34  
Cash provided by (used in):                                            
  Operations     (238 )   (377 )   (53 )   (145 )   (65 )   99     663  
  Investing programs     42     12     (230 )   (77 )   278     9     (738 )
  Financing activities     18     271     158     5     340     (62 )   (109 )
 
(1)
Through January 31, 2004, we recorded cumulative charges of $811 million relating to our 2000 and 2002 Plans of Restructuring and other non-recurring charges. The remaining liability of $137 million is expected to be funded from existing cash balances and internally generated cash flows from operations. The total cash outlay for the remainder of fiscal 2004 is expected to be $39 million with the remaining obligations of $98 million, primarily related to non-recurring charges and long-term non-cancelable lease agreements, to be settled in 2005 and beyond.

(2)
In fiscal 1999, we benefited from a reduction to our deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $178 million.

(3)
The exit of the Brazil domestic truck market has been recorded as a discontinued operation. As a result, prior periods have been reclassified to conform with this presentation. See note 12 to our 2003 annual consolidated financial statements, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

(4)
Total debt at October 31, 2002 includes a $19 million intercompany loan from NFC.

(5)
EBITDA is defined as income (loss) from continuing operations plus income taxes, interest expense and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a measure commonly used in the transportation industry and is presented to aid in developing an understanding of the ability of our operations to generate cash for debt service and taxes, as well as cash for investments in working capital, capital expenditures and other liquidity needs. This information is presented as a supplement to the other data provided because it provides information which we believe is useful for additional analysis. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, cash flows from operating activities and other consolidated operations or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of our profitability or liquidity as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Further, EBITDA, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to calculations of similarly-

PS-23
 
   Three Months Ended
January 31,
   Fiscal Year Ended
October 31,
(in millions)
   2004
   2003
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
Income (loss) from continuing operations   $ (23 ) $ (98 ) $ (14 ) $ (476 ) $ (9 ) $ 174   $ 549
Interest expense (net of capitalized interest)     15     18     65     62     27     18     34
Income tax expense (benefit)     (14 )   (57 )   (31 )   (293 )   (24 )   65     51
Depreciation and amortization     37     41     137     155     150     140     126
   
EBITDA   $ 15   $ (96 ) $ 157   $ (552 ) $ 144   $ 397   $ 760
 
   Three Months Ended January 31,
   Fiscal Year Ended October 31,
(in millions)
   2004
   2003
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
Supplemental Adjustments:                                          
Restructuring and other non-recurring charges   $ 4   $ —   $ (36 ) $ 542   $ 14   $ 287   $ —
Cash dividends from NFC     —     5     50     —     26     23     60
Cash tax payments from NFC(a)     —     4     20     22     16     38     37
   
  Total adjustments   $ 4   $ 9   $ 34   $ 564   $ 56   $ 348   $ 97
(6)
Capitalized interest for fiscal 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999 was $7 million, $14 million, $42 million, $31 million, and $15 million, respectively. Capitalized interest for the first fiscal quarters of 2004 and 2003 was $2 million and $2 million, respectively.

PS-24


Risk factors

You should read and consider carefully each of the following factors, as well as the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, before making a decision to invest in the notes.

Risks relating to Navistar and its markets

The markets in which we compete are subject to considerable cyclicality.

Our ability to be profitable depends in part on the varying conditions in the truck, school bus, mid-range diesel engine and service parts markets. The markets in which we compete are subject to considerable cyclicality. Such markets move in response to cycles in the overall business environment and are particularly sensitive to the industrial sector, which generates a significant portion of the freight tonnage hauled. Truck and engine demand also depend on general economic conditions, interest rate levels and fuel costs.

Sales of Class 5 - 8 trucks have historically been cyclical, with demand affected by such economic factors as industrial production, construction, demand for consumer durable goods, interest rates and the earnings and cash flow of dealers and customers. The Class 5 - 8 truck market experienced a downturn in demand beginning in late 2000 and continuing through the end of 2003. Although new truck demand has increased in 2004, we cannot provide any assurances as to the length or the ultimate level of the current recovery. The recent weakness in the demand for new trucks has adversely affected our operating results in fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001.

We operate in the highly competitive North American truck market.

The North American truck market, in which we compete, is highly competitive. Our major U.S. domestic competitors include PACCAR, Ford and General Motors, as well as foreign-controlled domestic manufacturers, such as Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star (DaimlerChrysler), Mack (Volvo Global Trucks) and Volvo. In addition, manufacturers from Japan such as Hino (Toyota), Isuzu, Nissan and Mitsubishi, are attempting to increase their North American sales levels. The intensity of this competition, which is expected to continue, results in price discounting and margin pressures throughout the industry and adversely affects our ability to increase or maintain vehicle prices. Many of our competitors have greater financial resources, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage in responding to substantial industry changes, such as changes in governmental regulations that require major additional capital expenditures. In addition, certain of our competitors may have lower overall labor costs.

Our business may be adversely impacted by work stoppages and other labor relations matters.

We are subject to risk of work stoppages and other labor relations matters because our workforce is highly unionized. As of October 31, 2003, we employed approximately 6,100 hourly workers and 5,700 salaried workers in the U.S. and Canada. Approximately 82% of the hourly workers and 17% of the salaried workers are represented by unions. Of these represented employees, 90% of the hourly workers and 100% of the salaried workers are represented by the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculture Implement Workers of America, or UAW, or the National Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculture Implement Workers of Canada, or CAW. In fiscal 2002, our Chatham, Ontario heavy truck plant was subject to a

PS-25


strike before the parties reached a new collective bargaining agreement after expiration of the prior agreement. Our collective bargaining agreements with the UAW and CAW expire in October 2007 and January 2007, respectively. Any prolonged work stoppage or strike at any one of our principal manufacturing facilities could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The loss of business from Ford, our largest customer, would have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Ford accounted for approximately 21% of our revenues for fiscal 2003, 20% for fiscal 2002 and 21% for fiscal 2001. In addition, Ford accounted for approximately 77%, 78% and 76% of our diesel engine unit volume in fiscal 2003, fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001, respectively, primarily relating to the sale of our V-8 diesel engines. Although we have an agreement with Ford that continues through 2012 to supply V-8 diesel engines for inclusion in selected models produced by Ford, this agreement provides that we will supply Ford's requirements rather than manufacture a specific quantity of products. The loss of Ford as a customer, reduced or lower than anticipated purchases from Ford, or a significant decrease in demand for the models or a group of related models that utilize our products would have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not achieve all the expected benefits from our Five Point Plan or current business strategies.

In this prospectus supplement, we state that we believe that cost improvements resulting from our Five Point Plan, restructuring and discontinued operations, along with our ongoing program of continuous cost improvements, will result in substantial pre-tax cost savings and margin improvements and that our Five Point Plan will provide us the opportunity to operate profitably through future downturns in our cyclical business. In addition, we assert in this prospectus supplement our belief that our current strategic focus to increase revenue, differentiate on product quality and aggressively pursue cost reductions will enhance the performance results achieved through completion of the Five Point Plan. These estimates and beliefs constitute forward-looking information and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual cost savings, margin improvements, operating results or liquidity requirements to be materially different from our estimates or result in these operating improvements not being realized in the time frame expected. You should not place undue reliance on these statements because they are subject to numerous uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, and such forward-looking statements only speak as of the date of this prospectus supplement. These statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our experience in the industry as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. You should understand that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. In addition to the general factors discussed above, such estimates and beliefs are based on a variety of other factors and were derived utilizing numerous important assumptions, including but not limited to:

PS-26

The costs associated with complying with environmental and safety regulations could lower our margins.

We, like other truck and engine manufacturers, continue to face heavy governmental regulation of our products, especially in the areas of environment and safety. As a diesel engine manufacturer, we have incurred research, development and tooling costs to design our engine product lines to meet new United States Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, and California Air Resources Board, or CARB, emission standards. The company is currently providing engines that satisfy CARB's 2004 emission standards for engines used in vehicles from 8,501 to 14,000 lbs. GVW. With a Federal Court's affirmation in 2001 of the U.S. EPA's 2007 rule for heavy-duty diesel engines and its accompanying requirement of low sulfur diesel fuel beginning in 2006 and the recent settlement in 2003 of issues relating to other technical provisions of the U.S. EPA's 2004 and 2007 and CARB's 2005 rule, all of which the company actively participated in, the company intends to provide heavy duty engines that will comply with the more stringent CARB and U.S. EPA emission standards for 2004 and later model years. At the same time, we expect to meet all of the obligations we agreed to in the Consent Decree entered into July 1999 with the U.S. EPA and in a Settlement Agreement with CARB concerning alleged excess emissions of nitrogen oxides.

We also are subject to various noise standards imposed by federal, state and local regulations, and to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, or Safety Act, and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, or Safety Standards, promulgated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA. On October 1, 2002, International notified the NHTSA of a program to effect a voluntary safety recall of hydraulic anti-lock brake system electronic control units manufactured by a third party and installed on certain of our vehicles. We recorded a fourth quarter pre-tax charge for fiscal 2002 of approximately $51 million for estimated costs associated with the recall.

PS-27


Complying with environmental and safety requirements has added and will continue to add to the cost of our products, and increases the capital-intensive nature of our business. While we believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with these laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that we will not be adversely impacted by costs, liabilities or claims with respect to our operations under existing laws or those that may be adopted. If the present level of price competition continues, it may become increasingly difficult for us and other manufacturers of engines and trucks to recover these costs and, accordingly, lower margins may result.

Our business could be negatively impacted in the event NFC is unable to access sufficient capital to engage in its financing activities.

NFC supports our manufacturing operations by providing financing to a significant portion of International dealers and retail customers. For example, NFC provided wholesale financing for approximately 96% and 96% of the new truck units sold by International to International dealers in the United States during fiscal 2003 and 2002, respectively, and retail and lease financing for approximately 16% and 19% of new trucks sold or leased by International and International dealers during the same periods. NFC traditionally obtains the funds to provide such financing from sales of receivables, commercial paper, medium- and long-term debt and from short- and long-term bank borrowings. NFC will need to incur additional short- and long-term debt in the future. The nature and amounts of such indebtedness can be expected to vary from time to time as a result of the volume of its business, market conditions and other factors. In addition, NFC expects to continue to sell and securitize receivables. One of NFC's securitization arrangements begins to amortize in the event that NFC's credit ratings fall below certain levels, which would have a negative impact on NFC's liquidity position in the short-term. If cash provided by operations, bank borrowings, continued sales and securitizations of receivables and the placement of term debt does not provide the necessary liquidity, NFC would restrict its financing of International products and to International dealers. A significant reduction in financing support could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Navistar has significant underfunded postretirement obligations.

We have significant underfunded postretirement obligations. The underfunded portion of our accumulated benefit obligation was $994 million and $988 million for pension benefits at October 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $1,810 and $1,703 million for postretirement healthcare benefits at October 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Our underfunded postretirement obligations increased October 31, 2003 as a result of the decline in the market value of equity securities held by such benefit plans and a lowering of the rate used to calculate the present value of future benefit obligations.

In the event that our pension plans are terminated for any reason and plan assets are insufficient to meet guaranteed liabilities, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or PBGC, may have a right to take over these plans as their administrator and trustee. In this event, the actual present value of guaranteed pension liabilities may be determined in a manner different from that used by us to determine our unfunded vested pension liability, which could result in a higher level of underfunding. Subject to certain limitations, the PBGC would have a claim against us to the extent that plan assets were not sufficient to meet the actuarial present value of guaranteed liabilities.

PS-28


Our ability to use net operating loss carryovers to reduce future tax payments may be limited if there is a change in ownership of Navistar.

As of October 31, 2003, we had $1,572 million of domestic and $92 million of foreign net operating loss carryovers, or NOLs. Currently there is no annual limitation on our ability to use NOLs to reduce future income taxes. However, if an ownership change as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, occurs with respect to our capital stock, our ability to use NOLs would be limited to specific annual amounts. Generally, an ownership change occurs if certain persons or groups increase their aggregate ownership by more than 50 percentage points of our total capital stock in any three-year period.

If an ownership change occurs, our ability to use domestic NOLs to reduce income taxes is limited to an annual amount based on our fair market value immediately prior to the ownership change multiplied by the long-term tax-exempt interest rate. The long-term tax-exempt interest rate is published monthly by the Internal Revenue Service. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, the rate is approximately 4.19%. NOLs that exceed the Section 382 limitation in any year continue to be allowed as carryforwards for the remainder of the 15- or 20-year carryforward period and can be used to offset taxable income for years within the carryover period subject to the limitation in each year. Our use of new NOLs arising after the date of an ownership change would not be affected.

It is impossible for us to ensure that an ownership change will not occur in the future. In addition, we may decide in the future that it is necessary or in our interest to take certain actions which result in an ownership change. If a more than 50% ownership change were to occur, use of our NOLs to reduce payments of federal income tax may be deferred to later years within the 15- or 20-year carryover period, or, if the carryover period for any loss year expires, the use of the remaining NOLs for the loss year will be prohibited.

Our manufacturing operations are dependent upon third-party suppliers, making us vulnerable to a supply shortage.

We obtain materials and manufactured components from third-party suppliers. Some of our suppliers are the sole source for a particular supply item. Any delay in our suppliers' abilities to provide us with necessary material and components may affect our capabilities at a number of our manufacturing locations or may require us to seek alternative supply sources. Delays in obtaining supplies may result from a number of factors affecting our suppliers, such as capacity constraints, labor disputes, the impaired financial condition of a particular supplier, suppliers' allocations to other purchasers, weather emergencies or acts of war or terrorism. Any delay in receiving supplies could impair our ability to deliver products to our customers and, accordingly, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are exposed to political, economic and other risks that arise from operating a multinational business.

As of October 31, 2003, we maintained approximately $134 million of property and equipment in foreign countries, primarily in Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Accordingly, our

PS-29


business is subject to the political, economic and other risks that are inherent in operating in those countries and internationally. These risks include:

As we continue to expand our business globally, our success will depend, in part, on our ability to anticipate and effectively manage these and other risks. We cannot assure you that these and other factors will not have a material adverse affect on our international operations or on our business as a whole.

Risks related to the notes

Our substantial debt could require us to use a significant portion of our cash flow to satisfy our debt obligations and may limit our operating flexibility.

We will have a substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness after completion of this offering and a significant portion of our cash flow from operations will be used to satisfy our debt obligations. Therefore, a prolonged downturn in our business could limit our ability to satisfy our debt service obligations under such indebtedness, including the notes. The following table sets forth certain important information regarding our capitalization and is presented as of January 31, 2004, adjusted to give effect to this offering and the Concurrent Transactions:

(in millions)
   As Adjusted
Debt:      
  Manufacturing operations   $ 1,106
  Financial services operations     1,583
   
    Total debt   $ 2,689
   

Shareowners' equity
 
$
314

PS-30

Our level of indebtedness could:

Despite our substantial debt levels, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantially more debt.

We may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Although the indentures governing the notes and the 93/8% notes contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and, under certain circumstances, the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. Also, the restrictions do not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness. Further, the restrictions do not apply to or restrict the incurrence of indebtedness by our financial services subsidiaries, including NFC. To the extent new debt is added to our currently anticipated debt levels, the substantial leverage risks described above would increase. See "Description of the notes."

Servicing NIC's debt obligations requires a significant amount of cash, and its ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond its control.

NIC's ability to satisfy its debt service obligations will depend on, among other things, its future operating performance. NIC's future financial performance will be affected by a range of economic, competitive, regulatory and business factors, many of which are beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that NIC's business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations to enable it to service indebtedness, including the notes, or fund other liquidity needs. Our earnings for the three months ended January 31, 2004 and the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003 were insufficient to cover our fixed charges by approximately $39 million and $52 million, respectively. If we do not generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our debt obligations, including payments on the notes, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our indebtedness, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments or seeking to raise additional equity capital. We cannot assure you that any refinancing would be possible, that any assets could be sold, or, if sold, of the timing of the sales or the amount of proceeds realized from those sales, or that additional financing could be obtained on acceptable terms, if at all.

PS-31


NIC is a holding company and must rely on dividends and other payments made to it by International and its other subsidiaries.

NIC, the issuer of the notes, is a holding company that derives all of its operating income from, and holds substantially all of its assets through, its subsidiaries. The effect of this structure is that NIC will depend on the earnings of its subsidiaries, and the payment or other distribution to NIC of these earnings, in order to meet its obligations under the notes and other outstanding indebtedness, including its 93/8% senior notes, 2.5% senior convertible notes and, if assumed as part of the Concurrent Transactions, the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes. Although the notes will be guaranteed by International, the primary operating subsidiary of NIC, there is a risk that the guarantee could be avoided or subordinated as a result of applicable fraudulent transfer laws. See "Risk factors—A court may void the guarantee or subordinate the guarantee to other obligations of International." The ability of NIC's subsidiaries to make payments to NIC also is subject to, among other things, applicable state corporate laws and contractual restrictions. In addition, the payment of dividends by NFC to International is limited by the terms of NFC's senior credit facility. See "Description of other financing arrangements—Financial services operations."

Secured creditors of NIC or International will have a prior claim to the collateral securing such indebtedness.

The notes will be unsecured obligations of NIC and the guarantee of the notes by International will be an unsecured obligation of International. The payment of principal and interest on the notes and payments pursuant to the guarantee will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to any secured indebtedness of NIC and International, respectively, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. If either NIC or International becomes insolvent or is liquidated, or if payment under any secured indebtedness of NIC or International is accelerated, the holders of such secured debt will be entitled to exercise the remedies available to a secured lender under applicable law. Assets securing such indebtedness will not be available to satisfy claims with respect to the notes or the guarantee of the notes in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or similar circumstance until all amounts due under the secured debt are repaid.

As of January 31, 2004, neither NIC nor International had any secured indebtedness. Although the indenture governing the notes contains restrictions on the ability of NIC and International to incur secured indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and the secured indebtedness incurred in the future in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial.

The notes will be effectively subordinated to the obligations of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.

The notes will be guaranteed by International but not by any other direct or indirect subsidiary of NIC. Claims of creditors of non-guarantor subsidiaries, including trade creditors and creditors holding indebtedness or guarantees issued by such subsidiaries, and claims of preferred stockholders of such subsidiaries generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such subsidiaries over the claims of our creditors, including holders of the notes. Accordingly, the notes will be effectively subordinated to creditors (including trade creditors) and preferred stockholders, if any, of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.

PS-32


As of January 31, 2004, after giving pro forma effect to this offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom and the Concurrent Transactions, NIC's non-guarantor subsidiaries had an aggregate of approximately $2,286 million of outstanding liabilities, of which $1,709 million would be liabilities of the financial services operations.

We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to finance the change of control offer required by the indenture governing the notes, which would violate the terms of the notes.

Upon the occurrence of certain kinds of change of control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding notes, including the notes and the 93/8% senior notes, at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. In addition, upon the occurrence of a fundamental change, the holders of the 2.5% senior convertible notes and the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any portion of such notes, at a purchase price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. If a change of control or a fundamental change were to occur, we cannot assure you that we would have sufficient funds to pay the purchase price of such notes or the notes offered hereby, and we may require third party financing to do so. We cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain this financing on reasonable terms, if at all. Our failure to purchase tendered notes would constitute a default under the indentures governing our outstanding notes. See "Description of the notes—Change of control" and "Description of other financing arrangements—Manufacturing operations."

If the notes are rated investment grade at any time by both Standard & Poor's and Moody's, the International guarantee of the notes will be released and certain covenants contained in the indenture will be suspended, and the holders of the notes will lose the protection of these covenants and the benefit of the guarantee.

The indenture contains certain covenants that will cease to have any effect from and after the first date when the notes are rated investment grade by both Standard & Poor's and Moody's. See "Description of the notes—Certain covenants—Application of fall away covenants." These covenants restrict, among other things, our ability to pay dividends, incur certain liens, incur additional debt and to enter into certain types of transactions. Because we will not be subject to these restrictions when the notes are rated investment grade, we will be able to incur additional debt and grant additional liens on our property. In addition, International will be released from its obligations under the International Guarantee if, among other things, after giving effect to such release of the International Guarantee, the notes will continue to be assigned an investment grade rating by both Standard & Poor's and Moody's. See "Description of the notes—Guarantee." Neither these covenants nor the International Guarantee would be reinstated even if Standard & Poor's or Moody's were to later downgrade their rating of the notes to a non-investment grade level.

A court may void the guarantee or subordinate the guarantee to other obligations of International.

Our principal operating subsidiary, International, will guarantee the notes. If, however, International becomes a debtor in a case under the United States Bankruptcy Code or

PS-33


encounters other financial difficulty, under Federal or state fraudulent transfer law a court might:

The court might do so if it found that, when International entered into its guarantee (or, in some states, when payments became due thereunder), International:

The court might also avoid International's guarantee, without regard to those factors, if it found that International entered into its guarantee with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors.

A court would likely find that International did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for its guarantee unless it benefited directly or indirectly from the notes' issuance. If a court avoided the International Guarantee, you would no longer have a claim against International. In addition, the court might direct you to repay any amounts already received from International. If the court were to avoid the guarantee, we cannot assure you that funds would be available to pay the notes from any other source.

The test for determining solvency for these purposes will depend on the law of the jurisdiction being applied. In general, a court would consider an entity insolvent either if the sum of its existing debts exceeds the fair value of all of its property or if the present fair saleable value of its assets is less than the amount required to pay the probable liability on its existing debts as they become due. For this analysis, "debts" includes contingent and unliquidated debts.

The indenture will state that the liability of International on its guarantee is limited to the maximum amount that it can incur without risk that the guarantee will be subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer. We cannot assure you that this limitation will protect the guarantee from fraudulent transfer attack or, if it does, that the guarantee will be in amounts sufficient, if necessary, to pay the notes when due.

We cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the notes.

There is currently no existing public market for the notes. An active public market may never develop for the notes, and we will not apply to list the notes on any exchange or Nasdaq. As a result, you may be required to bear the financial risk of your investment in the notes indefinitely. Any notes traded after they are initially issued may trade at a discount from the initial offering price. The trading price of the notes depends on prevailing interest rates, the

PS-34


market for similar securities and other factors, including economic conditions and our financial condition, performance and prospects. Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial fluctuations in the prices of these securities. We have been informed by the underwriters that they intend to make a market in the notes after this offering, although the underwriters are not obligated to do so and may cease such market making without notice. See "Underwriting."

PS-35


Forward-looking statements

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, and such forward-looking statements only speak as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our business strategy. These statements often include words such as "committed," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate" or similar expressions. These statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our experience in the industry as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. As you read and consider this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include:

PS-36

All future written and oral forward-looking statements by us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to above. Except for our ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, we do not have any obligations or intention to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances in the future or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

PS-37


Use of proceeds

The net proceeds from the offering of the notes, after deducting the underwriter's discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, are estimated to be approximately $             million. We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering together with cash on hand to repurchase up to $250 million aggregate principal amount of our existing 8% senior subordinated notes and pay related tender fees and premiums (including consent payments). Any 8% senior subordinated notes not tendered in the repurchase offer are expected to be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 102.67% in accordance with the indenture governing the 8% senior subordinated notes. The 8% senior subordinated notes mature on February 1, 2008.

PS-38



Capitalization

The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and capitalization as of January 31, 2004 on an actual basis and as adjusted to give effect to the sale of the notes in the offering and the application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom as set forth in "Use of proceeds" and to the Concurrent Transactions.

This table should be read in conjunction with the information contained in "Use of proceeds," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, either included elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

 
 
   At January 31, 2004
  
(in millions, except share numbers)
   Actual
   As Adjusted
  
 
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities:              
Manufacturing operations   $ 279   $ 433  
Financial services operations     292     292  
   
 
  Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities   $ 571   $ 725  
   
 
Total debt (including current portion):              
Manufacturing operations:              
      % senior notes due 2011 offered hereby   $ —   $ 250  
  93/8% senior notes due 2006     400     400  
  2.5% senior convertible notes due 2007(1)     190     190  
  8.0% senior subordinated notes due 2008(2)     250     —  
  9.95% senior notes due 2011     16     16  
  4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes due 2009(3)     —     220  
  Other debt     30     30  
   
 
    Total manufacturing operations debt     886     1,106  
   
 
Financial services operations:              
  Revolving retail warehouse facility     500     500  
  Bank credit facilities(4)     704     874  
  Secured borrowings     209     209  
  4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes due 2009(3)     220     —  
   
 
    Total financial services debt     1,633     1,583  
   
 
      Total debt   $ 2,519   $ 2,689  
   
 
Shareowners' equity:              
Series D convertible junior preference stock (liquidation preference $4 million)     4     4  
Common stock, $0.10 par value per share, 110,000,000 shares authorized, 75,296,294 shares issued and outstanding and 5,676,364 held in treasury     2,123     2,123  
Retained earnings (deficit)     (860 )   (866 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (782 )   (782 )
Common stock held in treasury, at cost     (165 )   (165 )
   
 
    Total shareowners' equity     320     314  
   
 
  Total capitalization   $ 2,839   $ 3,003  
 
(1)
NIC's 2.5% senior convertible notes may be converted into shares of NIC common stock at an exchange price of $34.71 per share, as adjusted upon specified occurrences, at any time by the holder thereof. See "Description of other financing arrangements—Manufacturing operations—2.5% senior convertible notes."

(2)
Assumes any 8% senior subordinated notes not tendered in the offer, if any, will be redeemed by NIC at a redemption price equal to 102.67% in accordance with the indenture governing the 8% senior subordinated notes.

(3)
NIC intends to assume NFC's obligations under the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes. The assumption of these notes will increase the total debt of NIC's manufacturing operations by $220 million. NFC's 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes may be exchanged for shares of NIC common stock at an exchange price of $55.73 per share at any

PS-39

(4)
NFC's $820 million bank credit facility permits NIC's three Mexican finance subsidiaries to borrow up to $100 million. As of January 31, 2004, NFC had $499 million outstanding under this arrangement, and the Mexican finance subsidiaries had $36 million of borrowings outstanding under this arrangement. NIC and NFC guarantee the borrowings of the Mexican finance subsidiaries under this arrangement. In addition, as of January 31, 2004 the Mexican finance subsidiaries had $169 million of additional bank borrowings outstanding under other credit facilities, of which $102 million are guaranteed by NIC, and $67 million of which are guaranteed by NFC.

PS-40


Management

The following sets forth selected information for each of the principal officers listed below.

Name
   Age
   Position
Daniel C. Ustian   53   Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert C. Lannert   64   Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer
Robert A. Boardman   56   Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Terry M. Endsley   48   Vice President and Treasurer
Mark T. Schwetschenau   48   Vice President and Controller
Thomas M. Hough   58   Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
Robert J. Perna   40   Corporate Secretary
D.T. (Dee) Kapur   49   President, Truck Group, International
John J. Allen   46   President, Engine Group, International
Phyllis E. Cochran   52   Vice President and General Manager, Parts Group, International
Pamela J. Turbeville   53   Vice President and General Manager, International Finance Group

Daniel C. Ustian has served as Chairman since February 2004, as President and Chief Executive Officer since February 2003 and as a Director since 2002. Mr. Ustian also has served as Chairman of International since February 2004 and as President and Chief Executive Officer of International since February 2003. Mr. Ustian was President and Chief Operating Officer from April 2002 to February 2003. In addition, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of International from April 2002 to February 2003. Mr. Ustian was also President of the Engine Group of International from 1999 to 2002. Prior to this, Mr. Ustian served as Group Vice President and General Manager of Engine and Foundry from 1993 to 1999.

Robert C. Lannert has served as our Chief Financial Officer and a Director since 1990. Mr. Lannert has served as our Vice Chairman since April 2002. Mr. Lannert was also Executive Vice President from 1990 to 2002. Mr. Lannert has also served as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of International since 2002 and a Director of International since 1987. Prior to this, Mr. Lannert served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of International from 1990 to 2002.

Robert A. Boardman has served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel since 1990. Mr. Boardman has also served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of International since 1990. Prior to this, Mr. Boardman served as Vice President of Manville Corporation from 1988 to 1990, and its Corporate Secretary from 1983 to 1990.

Terry M. Endsley has served as our Vice President and Treasurer since March 2003. Mr. Endsley has also served as Vice President and Treasurer of International since March 2003. Prior to this, Mr. Endsley served as our Assistant Treasurer from 1997 to March 2003 and as Assistant Treasurer of International from 1997 to March 2003.

Mark T. Schwetschenau has served as our Vice President and Controller since 1998. Since 1998, Mr. Schwetschenau has also been Vice President and Controller of International. Prior to 1998, Mr. Schwetschenau served as Vice President of Finance for the Quaker Foods Division of The

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Quaker Oats Company from 1995 to 1997, and Director, Finance, Convenience Foods Division of The Quaker Oats Company from 1993 to 1995.

Thomas M. Hough has served as our Vice President, Strategic Initiatives since March 2003. Prior to this, Mr. Hough served as Vice President and Treasurer from 1992 to March 2003. Mr. Hough also served as Vice President and Treasurer of International from 1992 to March 2003. Prior to this, Mr. Hough served as Assistant Treasurer of Navistar from 1987 to 1992, and Assistant Treasurer of International from 1987 to 1992. Mr. Hough also served as Assistant Controller, Accounting and Financial Systems, 1987, and the Controller of NFC from 1982 to 1987.

Robert J. Perna has served as our Corporate Secretary since June 2001. Mr. Perna also is General Attorney, Finance and Securities, of International since April 2001. Prior to this, Mr. Perna served as Associate General Counsel, General Electric Railcar Services Corporation, a subsidiary of GE Capital Corp. from 2000 to 2001; Senior Counsel, Finance and Securities, of International from 1997 to 2000, and Senior Attorney, Finance and Securities from 1996 to 1997.

D.T. (Dee) Kapur has served as President of the Truck Group of International since September 2003. Prior to this, Mr. Kapur served as Executive Director, North American Business Revitalization, Value Engineering, Ford Motor Company; Executive Director, Ford Outfitters, North American Truck from 2001 to 2002; and Vehicle Line Director, Full Size Pick-ups and Utilities from 1997 to 2001.

John J. Allen has served as President of the Engine Group of International since January 2004. Prior to this, Mr. Allen served as Vice President and General Manager of the Parts Group of International from 2002 to 2004; as Vice President and General Manager of the Blue Diamond Truck Company, an International and Ford Motor Company Joint Venture from 2001 to 2002 and as Assistant General Manager of International's Heavy Vehicle Center from 1997 to 2001.

Phyllis E. Cochran has served as Vice President and General Manager of International's Parts Group since January 2004. Prior to this, Mrs. Cochran served as Vice President and General Manager of the International Finance Group of International from March 2003 to January 2004; as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Navistar Financial Corporation from February 2003 to January 2004 and as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Navistar Financial Corporation from December 2002 to February 2003. Ms. Cochran also served as Vice President of Operations for Navistar Financial Corporation from 2000 to 2002; and Vice President & Controller for Navistar Financial Corporation from 1994 to 2000.

Pamela J. Turbeville has served as Vice President and General Manager of the International Finance Group since February 2004. Ms. Turbeville also serves as Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of Navistar Financial Corporation since February 2004. Prior to this, Ms. Turbeville served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration of International from 1998 to 2004. Prior to this, Ms. Hamilton served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Environment Health and Safety and Government Relations of W.R. Grace and Company from 1993 to 1998.

We incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement certain information relating to, among other things, officer and director compensation, transactions with related parties and ownership of Navistar common stock. See "Incorporation by reference and delivery of certain documents."

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Description of the notes

General

The Notes will be issued pursuant to a supplemental indenture, to be dated as of                          , 2004 (the "Supplemental Indenture"), among the NIC, International and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"), to the indenture, to be dated as of                          , 2004, among NIC, International and the Trustee (as supplemented and amended by the Supplemental Indenture, the "Indenture"). The Notes are subject to the terms of the Indenture, and Holders of the Notes are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act ("TIA") for a statement thereof. The following summary of certain provisions of the Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms used below. The definitions of certain terms used in the following summary are set forth below under "—Certain Definitions" or are otherwise defined in the Indenture. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references in this section to "NIC" are to Navistar International Corporation and not to any of its Subsidiaries.

The Notes will be general unsecured obligations of NIC, and rank pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future unsubordinated Indebtedness of NIC and senior in right of payment to all existing and future subordinated Indebtedness of NIC. The Notes are effectively subordinated to all secured Indebtedness of NIC, if any. The Notes will mature on                          , 2011 and bear interest at the rate per annum set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. Interest will be payable semiannually (to holders of record of Notes at the close of business on                          or                           immediately preceding the interest payment date) on                          and                           of each year, respectively, commencing                           ,         . Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. The Notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The Notes are being offered in an aggregate principal amount of $250 million. The Indenture governing the Notes will allow NIC to issue additional notes with the same terms as the Notes offered hereby so that the additional notes will form a single series with the Notes offered hereby.

The Notes will not have the benefit of any sinking fund.

Guarantee

International will unconditionally guarantee (the "International Guarantee") on a senior unsecured basis, NIC's obligations under the Notes and all obligations under the Indenture. The International Guarantee will rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future liabilities of International that are not subordinated. The International Guarantee will effectively rank junior to any secured indebtedness of International to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

The obligations of International under the International Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent the International Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.

In the event International is sold or disposed of (whether by merger, consolidation, the sale of its Capital Stock such that International is no longer a Subsidiary of NIC or the sale of all or

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substantially all of its assets (other than by lease)) and whether or not International is the surviving corporation in such transaction to a Person which is not NIC or a Restricted Subsidiary of NIC, then International will be released from its obligations under the International Guarantee if the sale or other disposition is in compliance with the Indenture, including the covenant "—Limitation on Certain Asset Disposition."

In addition, International will be released from its obligations under the International Guarantee if, after giving effect to such release of the International Guarantee:

As of January 31, 2004, after giving pro forma effect to the offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, International would have had $16 million of total indebtedness outstanding (not including any guaranteed obligations), all of which would have ranked equally with the International Guarantee.

Ranking

The Notes will be unsecured obligations of NIC, ranking equal in right of payment with all of NIC's other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, and ranking senior in right of payment to NIC's outstanding subordinated indebtedness and any of its future subordinated indebtedness. In addition, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to all of the liabilities of NIC's non-guarantor subsidiaries. As of January 31, 2004, assuming that NIC had completed the offering, had assumed the $220 million outstanding of the 4.75% Subordinated Exchangeable Notes originally issued by NFC and had repurchased all of the $250 million outstanding of the 2008 Senior Subordinated Notes:

Optional Redemption

Except as described below, the Notes are not redeemable until                           , 2008. On and after                           , 2008, NIC may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the Notes upon

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not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes, if any, to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on                           of the years indicated below:

Year
   Percentage
  
2008      
2009      
2010 and thereafter   100.00 %

Prior to                    , 2007, NIC may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the Notes with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings at a redemption price of         % of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided that

If the optional redemption date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name the Note is registered at the close of business, on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to holders whose Notes will be subject to redemption by NIC.

Certain Covenants

Application of Fall Away Covenants.    After such time as:

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A change in the rating on the Notes by either Rating Agency shall be deemed to have occurred on the date that such Rating Agency shall have publicly announced the change.

Limitation on Liens.    The Indenture will provide that NIC will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens upon any of their respective properties or assets (including, without limitation, any asset in the form of the right to receive payments, fees or other consideration or benefits) whether owned on the Issue Date or acquired after the Issue Date, other than:

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Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness.    The Indenture will provide that NIC will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness, except:

the provisions of this clause (4) shall no longer be applicable to such Indebtedness and such Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been incurred at the time of any such issuance, sale, transfer or other disposition, as the case may be;

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For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (20) above, NIC shall, in its sole discretion, classify such item of Indebtedness and may divide and classify such Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described, and may later reclassify any item of Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (20) above (provided that at the time of reclassification it meets the criteria in such category or categories). In addition, for purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness under this covenant, guarantees, Liens or letter of credit obligations supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included so long as incurred by a Person that could have incurred such Indebtedness.

Limitation on Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries.    The Indenture will provide that NIC will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any Preferred Stock other than to NIC or to another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that a Subsidiary Guarantor may issue Preferred Stock to any other Person if at the time of issuance of such Preferred Stock, NIC, after giving pro forma effect to such issuance treating the aggregate liquidation preference of such Preferred Stock as Indebtedness, would have been able to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the terms of the Indenture described in clause (1) of "—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness" above.

Limitation on Restricted Payments.    The Indenture will provide that NIC will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to directly or indirectly:

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if at the time thereof:

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph will not prohibit:

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Each Restricted Payment described in clauses (1), (4), (8), (10), (15) and (16) of the previous sentence shall be taken into account (and the Restricted Payments described in the remaining clauses shall not be taken into account) for purposes of computing the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made pursuant to clause (3) of the preceding paragraph.

Limitation on Certain Asset Dispositions.    The Indenture will provide that NIC will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make one or more Asset Dispositions unless:

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If any Indebtedness of NIC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries ranking pari passu with the Notes requires that prepayment of, or an offer to prepay, such Indebtedness be made with any Net Available Proceeds, NIC may apply such Net Available Proceeds pro rata (based on the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if less) of all such other Indebtedness then outstanding) to the making of an Offer to Purchase the Notes in accordance with the foregoing provisions and the prepayment or the offer to prepay such pari passu Indebtedness. Any remaining Net Available Proceeds following the completion of the required Offer to Purchase may be used by NIC for any other purpose (subject to the other provisions of the Indenture) and the amount of Net Available Proceeds then required to be otherwise applied in accordance with this covenant shall be reset to zero, subject to any subsequent Asset Disposition. These provisions will not apply to a transaction consummated in compliance with the provisions of the Indenture described under "—Merger, Consolidation, Etc." below.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this covenant shall not apply to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to the purchase of tooling and related manufacturing equipment in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices.

In the event that NIC makes an Offer to Purchase the Notes, NIC shall comply with any applicable securities laws and regulations, including any applicable requirements of Section 14(e) of, and Rule 14e-1 under, the Exchange Act and any violation of the provisions of the Indenture relating to such Offer to Purchase occurring as a result of such compliance shall not be deemed an Event of Default or an event that with the passing of time or giving of notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

NIC's ability to repurchase the Notes may be limited by other then-existing borrowing agreements of NIC and its Restricted Subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that NIC will be able to obtain such a consent or a waiver of such limitations. See "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments."

Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions.    The Indenture will provide that NIC shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to any property unless:

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this covenant shall not prohibit NIC or any Restricted Subsidiary from entering into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to the purchase of tooling and related manufacturing equipment in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices.

Limitation on Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.    The Indenture will provide that NIC will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or suffer to exist or allow to become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to:

The preceding restrictions, however, will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

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Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.    The Indenture will provide that NIC will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:

other than Affiliate Transactions that are on terms that are fair and reasonable to NIC or such Restricted Subsidiary of NIC and that are no less favorable to NIC or such Restricted Subsidiary of NIC than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm's length transaction by NIC or such Restricted Subsidiary of NIC from an unaffiliated party; provided, that if NIC or any Restricted Subsidiary of NIC enters into an Affiliate Transaction or series of Affiliate Transactions involving or having an aggregate value of more than $30.0 million, a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of NIC or a committee thereof shall, prior to the consummation of such Affiliate Transaction, have determined (as evidenced by a resolution thereof) that such Affiliate Transaction meets the foregoing standard.

The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to:

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Limitation on Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries.    The Indenture will provide that NIC shall not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness of NIC which, in the aggregate, together with all other Indebtedness of NIC that is guaranteed by Restricted Subsidiaries, does not exceed $35.0 million, unless such Restricted Subsidiary of NIC simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to the Indenture providing for the guarantee of payment of the Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary of NIC; provided, any guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of such other Indebtedness:

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantee shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon either (a) the unconditional release or discharge of such Subsidiary Guarantor's guarantees of all other Indebtedness of NIC (other than a release resulting from payment under such Subsidiary Guarantor's guarantees) or (b) any sale, exchange or transfer, to any Person not an Affiliate of NIC, of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor such that such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary of NIC, or all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor, pursuant to a transaction which is in compliance with all of the terms of the Indenture.

Change of Control.    Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (the date of each such occurrence being the "Change of Control Date"), NIC will notify the Holders in writing of such occurrence and will commence an Offer to Purchase (the "Change of Control Offer") all Notes then outstanding, in each case, at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Purchase Date. Notice of a Change of Control will be mailed by NIC to the Holders not more than 30 days after any Change of Control Date.

None of the provisions relating to a purchase upon a Change of Control are waivable by the Board of Directors of NIC. NIC could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including certain recapitalizations of NIC, that would not constitute a Change of Control with respect to the Change of Control purchase feature of the Notes, but would increase the amount of Indebtedness outstanding at such time. If a Change of Control were to occur, there can be no assurance that NIC would have sufficient funds to pay the redemption price for all Notes that NIC is required to redeem. In the event that NIC were required to purchase outstanding Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer, NIC expects that it would need to seek third-party financing to the extent it does not have available funds to meet its purchase obligations. However, there can be no assurance that NIC would be able to obtain such financing.

With respect to the disposition of property or assets, the phrase "all or substantially all" as used in the Indenture (including as set forth under "—Merger, Consolidation, Etc." below) varies according to the facts and circumstances of the subject transaction, has no clearly established meaning under New York law (which governs the Indenture) and is subject to judicial interpretation. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty in ascertaining whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of "all or substantially all" of the property or assets of a Person and therefore it may be unclear as to whether a Change of Control has occurred and whether the Holders are subject to a Change of Control Offer.

NIC's ability to repurchase the Notes may be limited by other then-existing borrowing agreements of NIC and its Subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that NIC will be able to

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obtain such a consent or a waiver of such limitations. See "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments."

If an offer is made to redeem the Notes as a result of a Change of Control, NIC will comply with all tender offer rules under state and Federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, Section 14(e) under the Exchange Act and Rule 14e-1 thereunder, to the extent applicable to such offer.

The Change of Control redemption feature of the Notes may in certain circumstances make more difficult or discourage a takeover of NIC and, thus, the removal of incumbent management.

Reports.    So long as any Note is outstanding, NIC will file with the Commission and, within 15 days after it files them with the Commission, file with the Trustee and mail or cause the Trustee to mail to the Holders at their addresses as set forth in the registers of the Notes, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which NIC is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or which NIC would be required to file with the Commission if NIC then had a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act.

Merger, Consolidation, Etc.    NIC will not, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of NIC's assets (determined on a consolidated basis) to any Person unless:

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Notwithstanding the foregoing:

For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries of NIC, the Capital Stock of which constitutes all or substantially all of the properties and assets of NIC, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of NIC.

Upon any such consolidation, merger, conveyance, lease or transfer in accordance with the foregoing, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which NIC is merged or to which such conveyance, lease or transfer is made will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, NIC under the Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as NIC therein, and thereafter (except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition) the predecessor corporation will be relieved of all further obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Notes.

Events of Default

The following are Events of Default under the Indenture:

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If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (7) above involving NIC) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may, and the Trustee shall upon the request of Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes then outstanding to be due and payable, by a notice in writing to NIC (and to the Trustee, if given by Holders) and upon such declaration such principal amount, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest will become immediately due and payable, notwithstanding anything contained in the Indenture or the Notes to the contrary. If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) above involving NIC occurs, all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes then outstanding will ipso facto become due and payable.

No Holder of any Note may enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee, with respect to the Indenture the Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to all provisions of the Indenture and applicable law, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default or

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Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, or that resulted from the failure of NIC to comply with the provisions of "—Certain Covenants—Change of Control" or "—Merger, Consolidation, Etc." above) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration of the Notes and its consequences if all existing Events of Default (other than the nonpayment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes which has become due solely by virtue of such acceleration) have been cured or waived and if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes, waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or in respect of a covenant or provision of the Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of all Holders.

Under the Indenture, an executive officer of NIC is required to provide a certificate to the Trustee promptly upon any such officer obtaining knowledge of any Default or Event of Default (provided that such officers shall provide such certification at least annually whether or not he knows of any Default or Event of Default) that has occurred and, if applicable, describe such Default or Event of Default and the status thereof.

Amendment, Supplement and Waiver

From time to time, NIC, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors, and the Trustee, may, without the consent of the Holders, amend, waive or supplement the Indenture and the Notes issued thereunder for certain specified purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies, qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the TIA, or making any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder; provided that NIC has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel stating that such change does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder. Other amendments and modifications of the Indenture and the Notes issued thereunder may be made by NIC, and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture then outstanding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or modification may, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby:

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Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of the Indenture

NIC may, at its option and at any time, terminate the obligations of NIC with respect to the Notes ("defeasance"). Such defeasance means that NIC shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes so defeased, except for:

In order to exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance:

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the opinion of counsel required by clause (2) above need not be delivered if at such time all outstanding Notes have been irrevocably called for redemption.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights or registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes issued thereunder, as expressly provided for in the Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes issued thereunder when:

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Governing Law

The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

The Trustee

The Indenture will provide that, except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the Indenture. During the existence of an Event of Default, the Trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.

The Indenture and the provisions of the TIA contain certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of NIC, to obtain payments of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. Subject to the TIA, the Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions, provided that if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest as described in the TIA, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

Certain Definitions

"Acquired Indebtedness" of any specified Person means Indebtedness of any other Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing at the time such other Person merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person or assumed by the specified Person in connection with the acquisition of assets from such other Person and not incurred by the specified Person in connection with or in anticipation of (a) such other Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries being merged with or into or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person or (b) such acquisition by the specified Person.

"Affiliate" means, when used with reference to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, the referent Person, as the case may be. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of the referent Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative of the foregoing.

"Asset Disposition" means any sale, transfer or other disposition (including, without limitation, by merger, consolidation or sale-and-leaseback transaction) of:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Asset Disposition shall not include:

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"Asset Sale Offer Trigger Date" has the meaning set forth in "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Certain Asset Dispositions."

An "Associate" of, or a Person "associated" with, any Person, means:

"Attributable Indebtedness" in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction involving an operating lease means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the implied

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interest rate in such transaction compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).

"Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness for borrowed money or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing

"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights in, or other equivalents (however designated and whether voting or non-voting) of, such Person's capital stock, including each class of Common or Preferred Stock of such Person, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or issued after the Issue Date, and any and all rights, warrants or options exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock.

"Capitalized Lease Obligation" means obligations under a lease that are required to be classified and accounted for as capital lease obligations under GAAP and, for purposes of the Indenture, the amount of such obligations at any date shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations at such date, determined in accordance with GAAP. The Stated Maturity of such obligation shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without penalty.

"Cash Equivalents" means:

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, Investments which would otherwise constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (2), (3), (4) and (5) that are permitted to have maturities in excess of twelve months shall only be deemed to be Cash Equivalents under this definition if

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and only if the total weighted average maturity of all Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (2), (3), (4) and (5) does not exceed twelve months on an aggregate basis.

"Change of Control" means the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries of NIC, the Capital Stock of which constitutes all or substantially all of the properties and assets of NIC, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of NIC.

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"Commodity Agreement" means any future contract or similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect, hedge or manage against fluctuations in prices of commodities used by NIC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

"Common Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated and whether voting or non-voting) of such Person's common stock, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or issued after the Issue Date, and includes, without limitation, all series and classes of such common stock.

"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the fixed rate United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity most comparable to the remaining term of the Securities (and which is not callable prior to maturity) to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practices, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the securities to be redeemed.

"Comparable Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

"Comparable Treasury Price" means with respect to any redemption date for the Notes:

if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Comparable Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

"Consolidated Cash Flow Available For Fixed Charges" of any Person means for any period the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus (to the extent Consolidated Net Income for such period has been reduced thereby):

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"Consolidated Cash Flow Ratio" of any Person means for any period the ratio of

Calculations of pro forma amounts in accordance with this definition shall be done in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or any successor provision.

"Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication, the amounts for such period, taken as a single accounting period, of:

In calculating "Consolidated Fixed Charges" for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio,"

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"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the net interest expense of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period (after giving effect to any interest income), on a consolidated basis, as determined in accordance with GAAP, including:

"Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the consolidated net income (or deficit) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, as determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of dividends accrued or paid on any Preferred Stock, if any); provided, that any amounts received from any other Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be included in Consolidated Net Income for that period to the extent of the amount that has been actually received by the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person in the form of cash dividends or other cash distributions (other than payments in respect of debt obligations), and provided, further, that there shall be excluded:

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"Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" as of any date of determination means the total amount of assets of NIC and its consolidated subsidiaries after deducting therefrom all current liabilities (excluding any current liabilities that by their terms are extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor thereon to a time more than twelve months after the time as of which the amount thereof is being computed); total prepaid expenses and deferred charges; and all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, licenses, copyrights and other intangible assets, all as set forth, or on a pro forma basis would be set forth, on the consolidated balance sheet of NIC and its consolidated subsidiaries for NIC's most recently completed fiscal quarter, prepared in accordance with GAAP.

"Consolidated Stockholders' Equity" as of any date means with respect to any Person the amount, determined in accordance with GAAP, by which the assets of such Person and of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis exceed the sum of (1) the total liabilities of such Person and of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, plus (2) any redeemable Preferred Stock of such Person.

"Consolidated Subsidiary" of any Person means a Restricted Subsidiary which for financial reporting purposes is or, in accordance with GAAP, should be, accounted for by such Person as a consolidated Subsidiary.

"Consolidated Tax Expense" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the U.S. Federal, state and local tax expense attributable to taxes based on income and foreign income tax expenses of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period (net of any income tax benefit), determined in accordance with GAAP other than taxes (either positive or negative) attributable to extraordinary or unusual gains or losses or taxes attributable to sales or dispositions of assets.

"Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect, hedge or manage NIC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in currency values to or under which NIC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or a beneficiary on the date of the Indenture or becomes a party or a beneficiary thereafter.

"DealCor Subsidiaries" means Cedar River International Trucks, Inc.; City International Trucks, Inc.; Rocky Mountain International Trucks, Inc.; J. Price International Truck, Inc.; KCR

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International Trucks, Inc.; Freedom International Trucks, Inc. of New Jersey; Garden State International Trucks, Inc.; Prairie International Trucks, Inc.; and Co-Van International Trucks, Ltd; and their respective Subsidiaries, and any Subsidiaries acquired by NIC or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date whose principal business is a dealership of International.

"Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture).

"Disqualified Capital Stock" means any Capital Stock that, other than solely at the option of the issuer thereof, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable) is, or upon the happening of an event or the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed or repurchased, in whole or in part, prior to the first anniversary of the Maturity Date or has, or upon the happening of an event or the passage of time would have, a redemption or similar payment due on or prior to the first anniversary of the Maturity Date, or is convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities at the option of the holder thereof at any time prior to the first anniversary of the Maturity Date.

"Event of Default" has the meaning set forth under "—Events of Default" herein.

"Foreign Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of NIC that is not organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

"4.75% Subordinated Exchangeable Notes" means the $220 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% Subordinated Exchangeable Notes due 2009 of NFC originally issued under the indenture dated as of March 25, 2002 between NFC, as issuer, NIC and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee.

"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, which are in effect as of the Issue Date.

"guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

"incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation of any Person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume, guarantee or otherwise become

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liable in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any such Indebtedness or other obligation on the balance sheet of such Person (and "incurrence," "incurred," "incurable" and "incurring" shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing), provided that the accrual of interest (whether such interest is payable in cash or in kind) and the accretion of original issue discount shall not be deemed an incurrence of Indebtedness, provided, further, that:

"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, at any date, any of the following, without duplication:

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For purposes hereof, the "maximum fixed repurchase price" of any Disqualified Capital Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Capital Stock as if such Disqualified Capital Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to the Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Capital Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Board of Directors of the issuer of such Disqualified Capital Stock. Indebtedness shall not include any guarantees of obligations of suppliers to NIC or any Restricted Subsidiary that ensure timely delivery of products, tooling and other materials used in the production process.

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance without duplication at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date, provided that the amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount is the full amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time as determined in accordance with GAAP.

"Independent Investment Banker" means J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. (and its successor), or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to select the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution selected by NIC.

"Interest Rate Protection Agreement" means any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect, hedge or manage a Person or any Restricted Subsidiary against fluctuations in interest rates to or under which such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a party or a beneficiary on the Issue Date or becomes a party or a beneficiary thereafter.

"Investment" by any Person means any direct or indirect:

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Investments shall exclude (a) transactions pursuant to the Master Intercompany Agreements and (b) extensions of loans, trade credit and advances to customers and suppliers to the extent made in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments,"

"Investment Grade" means:

"Issue Date" means the date on which the Notes are originally issued under the Indenture.

"Lien" means, with respect to any Person, any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, easement, restriction, covenant, right-of-way, charge or adverse claim affecting tide or resulting in an encumbrance against real or personal property of such Person, or a security interest of any kind, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option, right of first refusal or other similar agreement to sell, in each case securing obligations of such Person and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute or statutes) of any jurisdiction but excluding any such filing or agreement which reflects ownership by a third party of

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"Master Intercompany Agreements" means (i) the Master Intercompany Agreement dated as of April 26, 1993 between Navistar Financial Corporation and International Truck and Engine Corporation (formerly known as Navistar International Transportation Corp.), as amended and as it may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time; and (ii) one or more similar agreements entered into after the Issue Date among NIC or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries and one or more Unrestricted Subsidiary that comprise of NIC's financial services operations, as such agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

"Material Subsidiary" means, at any date of determination, any Subsidiary of NIC that, together with its Subsidiaries,

"Maturity Date" means                               , 2011.

"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

"Net Available Proceeds" from any Asset Disposition by any Person means cash or readily marketable cash equivalents received (including by way of sale or discounting of a note, installment receivable or other receivable, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquirer of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to such properties or assets or received in any other non-cash form) therefrom by such Person, including any cash received by way of deferred payment or upon the monetization or other disposition of any non-cash consideration (including notes or other securities) received in connection with such Asset Disposition, net of:

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"Net Cash Proceeds" with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, listing fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees and charges actually Incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result of such issuance or sale (after taking into account any available tax credit or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements).

"Offer to Purchase" means a written offer (the "Offer") sent by NIC by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder at its address appearing in the register for the Notes on the date of the Offer, offering to purchase up to the principal amount of the Notes in such Offer at the purchase price specified in such Offer (as determined pursuant to the Indenture). Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Offer shall specify an expiration date (the "Expiration Date") of the Offer to Purchase which shall be not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date of such Offer and a settlement date (the "Purchase Date") for purchase of such Notes within five Business Days after the Expiration Date. NIC shall notify the Trustee at least 15 Business Days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to such Trustee) prior to the mailing of the Offer of NIC's obligation to make an Offer to Purchase, and the Offer shall be mailed by NIC or, at NIC's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of NIC. The Offer shall contain all the information required by applicable law to be included therein. The Offer shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender such Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. The Offer shall also state:

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An Offer to Purchase shall be governed by and effected in accordance with the provisions above pertaining to any Offer.

"Permitted Investments" means:

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"Permitted Joint Venture" means any Person which is, directly or indirectly, through its subsidiaries or otherwise, engaged principally in any business in which NIC is engaged, or a reasonably related business, and the Capital Stock of which is owned by NIC or a Restricted Subsidiary and one or more Persons other than NIC or any Affiliate of NIC.

"Permitted Liens" mean:

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"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, estate, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

"Plan of Liquidation" means, with respect to any Person, a plan (including by operation of law) that provides for, contemplates or the effectuation of which is preceded or accompanied by (whether or not substantially contemporaneously):

"Preferred Stock" means, as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, the Capital Stock of such Person (other than the Common Stock of such Person) of any class or classes (however designated) that ranks prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of such Person, to shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

"Public Equity Offering" means a public offering for cash by NIC of its Qualified Capital Stock, other than public offerings with respect to NIC's Qualified Capital Stock registered on Forms S-4 or S-8.

"Qualified Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person that is not Disqualified Capital Stock or convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Disqualified Capital Stock.

"Qualified Securitization Transaction" means any transaction or series of transactions that have been or may be entered into by any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of NIC in connection with or reasonably related to a transaction or series of transactions in which any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of NIC may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to

"Rating Agency" means each of (1) S&P and (2) Moody's.

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"Receivables" means any right of payment from or on behalf of any obligor, whether constituting an account, chattel paper, instrument, general intangible or otherwise, arising from the financing by any Restricted Subsidiary of NIC of merchandise or services, and monies due thereunder, security or ownership interests in the merchandise and services financed thereby, records related thereto, and the right to payment of any interest or finance charges and other obligations with respect thereto, proceeds from claims on insurance policies related thereto, any other proceeds related thereto, and any other related rights.

"Reference Treasury Dealer" means J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. or its successors and three other primary U.S. Government securities dealers in New York City (each, a "Primary Treasury Dealer") appointed by NIC; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, NIC will appoint in its place another investment banking firm as a Primary Treasury Dealer.

"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of NIC that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

"Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby NIC or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a person and NIC or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

"Securitization Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of NIC which engages in no activities other than those reasonably related to or in connection with the entering into of securitization transactions and which is designated by the Board of Directors of NIC (as provided below) as a Securitization Subsidiary:

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"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw- Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

"Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security or Indebtedness of a Person, the date specified therein as the fixed date on which any principal of such security or Indebtedness is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase thereof at the option of the holder thereof).

"Subsidiary" of any Person means

"Subsidiary Guarantee" means the International Guarantee and each Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes issued pursuant to "—Guarantee" or "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries" above.

"Subsidiary Guarantor" means International and each Restricted Subsidiary of NIC that becomes a guarantor of the Notes pursuant to "—Guarantee" or "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries" above.

"Support Agreement" means the Parent's Side Agreement dated as of December 12, 2000 between NIC and International Truck and Engine Corporation, formerly known as Navistar International Transportation Corp, as it may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

"Tax Allocation Agreement" means the Tax Allocation Agreement among NIC and its subsidiaries, effective as of October 1, 1981, as it has been and may be amended and/or supplemented from time to time.

"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date for the Notes,

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"2008 Senior Subordinated Notes" means the $250 million aggregate principal amount of 8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 originally issued under the indenture dated as of February 4, 1998, as amended, between NIC, as issuer and BNY Midwest Trust Company (as successor to Harris Trust and Savings Bank), as trustee.

"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means:

The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of NIC (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock of, or holds any Lien on any property of, NIC or any other Restricted Subsidiary of NIC; provided, that either

The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that immediately after giving effect to such designation (a) if such Unrestricted Subsidiary at such time has Indebtedness, NIC could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under clause (1) of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness" and (b) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced by NIC to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the board resolution giving effect to such designation and an officers' certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

"Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or classes of Capital Stock in such Person entitling the holders thereof (whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has voting power by reason of any contingency) to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Person.

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Description of other financing arrangements

Manufacturing Operations

93/8% senior notes

General.    NIC's $400 million 93/8% senior notes were issued under an indenture dated as of May 31, 2001, between NIC, International and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. Although the 93/8% senior notes were offered in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million, the indenture governing the 93/8% senior notes allows NIC to issue up to an additional $100 million in aggregate principal amount of notes with the same terms as the 93/8% senior notes so that the additional notes will form a single series with the 93/8% senior notes. The 93/8% senior notes mature on June 1, 2006 and bear interest at the rate of 93/8%. Interest is compounded on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Interest.    Interest is payable semiannually (to holders of record of the 93/8% senior notes at the close of business on May 15 or November 15 immediately preceding the interest payment date) on June l and December l of each year, respectively. The 93/8% senior notes do not have the benefit of any sinking fund.

Ranking.    The 93/8% senior notes are general unsecured obligations of NIC and rank pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness of NIC and senior in right of payment to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of NIC. The 93/8% senior notes are effectively subordinated to all secured indebtedness of NIC, if any. The 93/8% senior notes are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities (including liabilities owed to trade creditors) of such subsidiaries of NIC (other than International) to the extent of the assets of each subsidiary of NIC. Any right of NIC to participate in any distribution of the assets of its subsidiaries upon the liquidation, reorganization or insolvency thereof (and the consequent right of the holders to benefit from those assets) will be subject to the claims of creditors (including trade creditors) of such subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of NIC itself as a creditor of such subsidiary may be recognized, in which case the claims of NIC would still be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of such subsidiary and any indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to that held by NIC.

Guarantees.    International has unconditionally guaranteed on a senior, unsecured basis NIC's obligations under the 93/8% senior notes. This guarantee ranks equally in right of payment with all existing and future liabilities of International that are not subordinated. The International guarantee effectively ranks junior to any secured indebtedness of International to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The obligations of International under this guarantee are limited as required to prevent violation of fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance laws. Under limited circumstances specified in the indenture, International will be released from its obligations under the guarantee.

Optional redemption.    The 93/8% senior notes are redeemable at the option of NIC in whole at any time or in part from time to time, on at least 30 days but not more than 60 days' prior notice at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of their principal amount plus accrued but unpaid interest to the date of redemption or (ii) the sum of (a) the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon from the date of redemption to the date of maturity (except for currently accrued but unpaid interest)

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discounted to the date of redemption, on a semiannual basis at the treasury rate, plus 50 basis points, and (b) accrued but unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

Restrictive covenants.    The indenture contains covenants for the benefit of the holders of the 93/8% senior notes that, among other things, limit the ability of NIC and any of its restricted subsidiaries to:

These limitations are, however, subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions.

The indenture provides that, after the 93/8% senior notes have been assigned an investment grade rating by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's Investors Services Inc., NIC and its restricted subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the limitations described above regarding incurrence of indebtedness, asset disposition, restricted payments, preferred stock of restricted subsidiaries, transactions with affiliates, payment restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries, merger and consolidation and sale-leaseback transactions.

Repurchase upon change of control.    The indenture provides that, in the event of a change of control, NIC will offer to repurchase all or a portion of the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes then outstanding, plus accrued and unpaid interest through the purchase date.

The term "change of control" is defined in the indenture to include one or more of the following events:

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Events of default.    The events of default under the indenture are as follows:

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Additional information.    The foregoing summary of the material provisions of the 93/8% senior notes indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to all of the provisions of such indenture, which have been filed with the SEC. See "Where you can find additional information."

2.5% senior convertible notes

General.    NIC's $190 million 2.5% senior convertible notes were issued under an indenture dated as of December 16, 2002, between NIC, International and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. The 2.5% senior convertible notes are limited to $190 million aggregate principal amount. The senior convertible notes mature on December 15, 2007 and bear interest at the rate of 2.5%. Interest is compounded on the basis of 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Interest.    Interest is payable semiannually (to holders of record of the senior convertible notes at the close of business on June 1 and December 1 immediately preceding the interest payment date) on June 15 and December 15 of each year, respectively. The senior convertible notes do not have the benefit of any sinking fund.

Ranking.    The senior convertibles notes are general unsecured obligations of NIC and rank pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness of NIC and senior in right of payment to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of NIC. The senior convertible notes are effectively subordinated to all secured indebtedness of NIC, if any. The senior convertible notes are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities (including liabilities owed to trade creditors) of such subsidiaries of NIC (other than International) to the extent of the assets of each subsidiary of NIC. Any right of NIC to participate in any distribution of the assets of its subsidiaries upon the liquidation, reorganization or insolvency thereof (and the consequent right of the holders to benefit from those assets) will be subject to the claims of creditors (including trade creditors) of such subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of NIC itself as a creditor of such subsidiary may be recognized, in which case the claims of NIC would still be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of such subsidiary and any indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to that held by NIC.

Guarantees.    International has unconditionally guaranteed on a senior, unsecured basis NIC's obligations under the senior convertible notes. This guarantee ranks equally in right of payment with all existing and future liabilities of International that are not subordinated. The International guarantee effectively ranks junior to any secured indebtedness of International to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The obligations of International under this guarantee are limited as required to prevent violation of fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance laws. Under limited circumstances specified in the indenture, International will be released from its obligations under the guarantee.

The indenture provides that, after the senior convertible notes have been assigned an investment grade rating by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's Investors Services Inc., International will be released from its guarantee, subject to certain important qualifications and exceptions.

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Conversion.    Subject to certain conditions, holders of senior convertible notes may convert all or part of their notes at any time after issuance into shares of NIC common stock at a conversion price equal to $34.71 per share, subject to adjustment, unless NIC has previously repurchased the notes or unless the notes have matured. No adjustment in the conversion price will be required unless such adjustment would require a change of at least 1% of the conversion price then in effect. NIC is not required to deliver fractional shares of NIC common stock upon conversion of the senior convertible notes and may deliver cash in lieu of such fractional shares. The conversion price is subject to adjustment in certain events, including:

NIC may, instead of making any required adjustment in the conversion price under clause (d) or (e), make proper provision so that each holder of senior convertible notes who converts their notes shall be entitled to receive upon conversion, in addition to the shares of NIC common stock, the amount and kind of distributions that the holder would have been entitled to receive if the holder had converted the note immediately prior to the date fixed for determining the shareholders entitled to receive the distribution and, in the case of clause (e),

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interest accrued as a consequence of the investment, in U.S. government obligations with a maturity of not more than three months, of the cash amount that the holder would have been so entitled to receive.

In the case of any reclassification or change of NIC's common stock or a consolidation, merger, share exchange or combination involving NIC or a sale or transfer to another person of all or substantially all of NIC's property and assets, in each case as a result of which holders of NIC's common stock will be entitled to receive stock, other securities, other property or assets with respect to or in exchange for NIC's common stock, the holders of the senior convertible notes then outstanding will be entitled thereafter to convert such notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets, which they would have owned or been entitled to receive upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, share exchange, combination, sale or conveyance, if such notes had been converted into NIC common stock immediately prior to such transaction.

NIC may, from time to time, to the extent permitted by law, reduce the conversion price of the senior convertible notes by any amount for any period of at least 20 days, in which case NIC shall give at least 15 days' notice of such decrease, if its board of directors has made a determination that such decrease would be in its best interests, which determination will be conclusive. NIC may, at its option, make such reductions in the conversion price, in addition to those set forth above, as its board of directors deems advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of NIC common stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock or rights to acquire stock or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.

Restrictive covenants.    The indenture contains covenants for the benefit of the holders of the senior convertible notes that, among other things, limit the ability of NIC and any of its restricted subsidiaries to:

These limitations are, however, subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions.

Mandatory redemption.    The indenture provides that, in the event of the occurrence of certain "fundamental changes," each holder of the senior convertible notes will have the right to require NIC to repurchase any or all of the holder's senior convertible notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes then outstanding, plus accrued and unpaid interest through the purchase date.

The term "fundamental change" is defined in the indenture to include one or more of the following events:

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except that none of these occurrences will constitute a "fundamental change" if at least 90% of the aggregate fair market value (as determined by NIC's board of directors) of the property and securities received or retained by holders of NIC's common stock in respect of such common stock in such transaction, other than cash payments for fractional shares, consists of shares of voting common stock of the successor person (or its parent) that are, or upon issuance will be, traded on a U.S. national securities exchange or approved for trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market.

Events of default.    The events of default under the indenture are as follows:

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Additional information.    The foregoing summary of the material provisions of the 2.5% senior notes indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to all of the provisions of such indenture, which have been filed with the SEC. See "Where you can find additional information."

Financial services operations

4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes

As part of the Concurrent Transactions, NIC intends to assume all of the obligations of NFC under the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes and the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes indenture. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references below to NFC should be replaced with "NIC" upon the completion of the Concurrent Transactions. NFC will have no further obligations under the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes or the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes indenture following NIC's assumption of such obligations. Although it is NIC's intention to effect the assumption of the 4.75% subordinated

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exchangeable notes, NIC reserves the right not to do so if circumstances change. Set forth below is a brief summary of the 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes:

General.    NFC's 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes due 2009 were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated March 25, 2002, among NFC, NIC and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee. The notes mature on April 1, 2009, subject to earlier exchange, repurchase or redemption provisions described below. The notes accrue interest at a rate of 4.75% per annum. Interest on outstanding notes is payable semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The notes are limited to $220 million aggregate principal amount.

Ranking.    The notes are general unsecured obligations of NFC and are subordinated in right of payment to all of NFC's existing and future senior indebtedness. For this purpose, "senior indebtedness" refers to:

The notes also are effectively subordinated to all of NFC's secured indebtedness and all liabilities, including trade payables, of NFC's subsidiaries. The indenture under which the notes were issued contains no limitation on the amount of indebtedness, including senior and secured indebtedness, that NFC or its subsidiaries may issue or guarantee.

Exchange/conversion.    Holders may deliver their notes to NIC, which will, in exchange for the notes, deliver shares of its common stock at an initial exchange price of $55.73 per share at any time following issuance of the notes, unless NFC has previously repurchased the notes or unless the notes have matured. The exchange price will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of specified events.

Optional redemption.    At any time on and after April 1, 2005, NFC may redeem some or all of the notes at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount), set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, on the notes redeemed, to (but excluding) the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of the years indicated below:

Year
   Redemption Price
2005   102.036%
2006   101.357%
2007   100.679%
2008 and thereafter   100.000%

Mandatory redemption.    Upon a Fundamental Change (as defined below) that occurs prior to the maturity of the notes, each holder may require NFC to repurchase all or a portion of such holder's notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus

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accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, to (but excluding) the date of repurchase. A "Fundamental Change" occurs if:

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provided, however, that (a) none of these circumstances with respect to NIC will be a Fundamental Change if at least 90% of the aggregate fair market value (as determined by NIC's board of directors) of the property and securities received or retained by holders of NIC's common stock in respect of such common stock in such transaction, other than cash payments for fractional shares, consists of shares of voting common stock of the successor person (or its parent) that are, or upon issuance will be, traded on a U.S. national securities exchange or approved for trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market and (b) none of these circumstances with respect to NFC will be a Fundamental Change so long as there is not Ratings Decline (as defined in the indenture).

Assumption.    NIC may, at its option, assume the obligations of NFC under the notes and the indenture subject to the satisfaction of specified conditions.

Additional information.    The foregoing summary of the material provisions of the 4.75% subordinated notes indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to all of the provisions of such indenture, which has been filed with the SEC. See "Where you can find additional information."

NFC bank credit facility

In December 2000, NFC entered into a senior bank credit facility with several lenders, including JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent. The bank credit facility matures in 2005 and is priced off a floating rate index. It provides for aggregate borrowings of $820 million, up to $100 million of which may also be borrowed by NIC's three Mexican finance subsidiaries. Such borrowings by the Mexican finance subsidiaries are guaranteed by NIC and NFC. Except as otherwise prohibited in the agreement, NFC is permitted to lend up to $50 million to International. Outstanding obligations under the credit agreement are secured by a perfected first priority security interest in substantially all of NFC's tangible and intangible assets.

The credit agreement includes a number of restrictive covenants. For example, NFC is required to maintain consolidated income before income taxes at least equal to 125% of its fixed charges (consisting of consolidated interest expense and preferred stock dividends). In addition, the ratio of NFC's total consolidated debt to consolidated tangible net worth (both as defined in the credit agreement) may not exceed 7 to 1.

The credit agreement requires that NFC comply with its intercompany agreements. NFC is prohibited from engaging in transactions with affiliates (except in certain limited circumstances) that are not on an arm's-length basis and in the ordinary course of business.

The credit agreement restricts NFC's ability to enter new lines of business, limits the types of investments that NFC may make and contains a negative pledge which prevents NFC from incurring or suffering to exist liens on its assets, except in certain limited circumstances. The credit agreement also contains customary covenants regarding reporting, insurance, conduct of business, maintenance of existence and compliance with laws.

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Events of default under the credit agreement include:


Securitization programs

NFC presently uses various securitization programs, which have structures and sources of financing that were designed to obtain the most favorable financing available, to fund a substantial portion of its acquisitions of receivables. As a general matter, NFC believes that securitization programs provide it with funding at rates that are much lower than NFC could obtain through issuing its own unsecured or secured corporate debt obligations. NFC anticipates continuing to use securitization programs to fund its acquisitions of receivables.

NFC securitizes receivables using both "liquidating pool" and "revolving pool" structures. A liquidating pool structure involves the sale or pledge of a fixed pool of receivables. The entire pool may be sold or pledged at closing, or, in a "pre-funded transaction," additional receivables may be sold or pledged over a pre-funding period, not exceeding a six-month period. The additional receivables are paid for with a portion of the proceeds of the issuance, which portion is held in a "pre-funding account" pending such use. In a liquidating pool structure, including pre-funded transactions, the outstanding principal balance of the pool of sold or pledged receivables declines as receivables are collected, become defaulted or otherwise are removed from the pool. The initial pool of receivables will not be augmented with additional receivables, except through subsequent sales in pre-funded transactions. In a liquidating pool structure, substantially all of the collections are used to repay the unrecovered investments of the investors in the transaction, with the result that the amount of financing declines substantially in tandem with the amount of outstanding receivables in the pool.

In a revolving pool structure, by contrast, new receivables are generally transferred into the pool on a periodic basis during a "revolving period" that is longer than a "pre-funding" period—for example, on a daily basis in the wholesale notes securitization described below. During the revolving period, principal collections on the receivables are reinvested in the new receivables or retained within the structure rather than being paid out to investors. Interest owing to the investors is paid on a monthly basis. Principal payments are generally made to investors after the end of the revolving period according to the terms of their respective agreements. NFC uses revolving pool structures for the securitization of short-term receivables or as "warehouse" financing for medium-term receivables until a more permanent form of securitization program can be established for such receivables.

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The source of financing for NFC's securitization programs varies with market conditions and other considerations at the time each securitization program was structured and established. Currently, NFC uses securitization programs that obtain financing from the sale of notes or certificates in transactions under Rule 144A or public securities offerings of medium term asset-backed securities, which we refer to as "capital markets" transactions, and bank conduit facilities, which we refer to as "bank conduit" transactions. A bank conduit provides financing by issuing commercial paper through a special purpose vehicle administered by a commercial bank or other financial institution. In addition, a bank conduit facility will generally have available a back-up credit facility with one or more commercial banks that would provide financing in the event the special purpose vehicle was unable to issue commercial paper.

The following is a summary of securitization programs currently utilized by NFC.

Securitization of wholesale notes

Since 1990, NFC has securitized its wholesale notes through investor certificates (five of which are currently outstanding) issued by Navistar Financial Securities Corporation, or NFSC, a wholly owned special purpose subsidiary of NFC. Each day NFC generally sells all newly originated wholesale notes (except those wholesale notes which do not meet the specified eligibility criteria) to NFSC. NFSC, in turn, sells the wholesale notes to a trust. The trust effectively reinvests collections on the outstanding wholesale notes by using such collections to purchase the newly originated wholesale notes. Collections are retained in the trust to the extent the required minimum trust balance exceeds the balance of wholesale notes owned by the trust. NFSC retains an interest in the trust, a portion of which is subordinated to the investor certificates. At October 31, 2003, $145 million of NFSC's retained interest was subordinated to claims of investor certificateholders.

Securitization of retail notes and leases

Since 1993, NFC has securitized a significant portion of its retail notes. Periodically, NFC sells a pool of retail notes, certain monies due or received thereunder, security interests in the vehicles and equipment financed thereby and certain other property to Navistar Financial Retail Receivables Corporation, or NFRRC. Immediately thereafter, NFRRC transfers the same property to either (a) a trust formed specifically for such transaction in exchange for either asset-backed notes and certificates issued by such trust or (b) a bank conduit. NFC retains the option under certain circumstances to repurchase the remaining pool of retail notes from any liquidating pool structure once monies due and payable thereunder constitute 10% or less of the aggregate amount due and payable under such retail notes when initially sold into the securitization. NFRRC retains a residual interest in each liquidating pool structure.

As of October 31, 2003, trusts formed by NFRRC and bank conduits have financed approximately $12 billion in aggregate principal balance of retail notes through the issuance of term asset-backed securities and commercial paper. At October 31, 2003, asset-backed securities from eight securitized transactions originated by NFRRC remained outstanding and had a remaining aggregate principal balance of approximately $2 billion.

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In November 2002, NFC began to include a limited number of finance leases in its securitized pools. This action had no material adverse effect on the characterization of these securitized pools.

NFC is exposed to interest rate risk relating to changes in market interest rates. As part of its overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the risk of interest rate adversely affecting net interest income or expense, NFC uses interest rate swap agreements, interest rate caps, and forward contracts. NFC is also occasionally required by third parties to use derivative instruments to make financing possible under sold note arrangements. These derivatives are used in asset-backed transactions in order to absorb some portfolio-related risks. NFC's policy prohibits the use of derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

In October 2000, NFC established a revolving retail warehouse facility for its retail notes and retail leases, other than fair market value leases. Under this facility, Truck Retail Instalment Paper Corp., or TRIP, a wholly owned special purpose subsidiary of NFC, issued $500 million of floating rate asset backed notes. These notes are priced off of the one month LIBO rate and have a targeted final payment date of October 17, 2005. The proceeds from the sale are held by the trustee and invested in marketable securities until they are used to purchase new retail notes and retail leases from NFC, which TRIP holds until NFC decides to effect a permanent financing in the capital markets or through a bank conduit at which point TRIP's assets will once again consist principally of marketable securities rather than receivables. TRIP's assets, which are retail receivables or marketable securities or a combination of both, are pledged to the indenture trustee as collateral for the senior and subordinated notes issued by TRIP.

Securitization of retail accounts

In August 2000, NFC securitized the retail accounts that arise out of sales of trucks on open account by International. On a regular basis, International sells the receivables to NFC, which in turn sells the receivables to Truck Retail Accounts Corporation, or TRAC, a wholly owned, special purpose subsidiary of NFC. TRAC, in turn, sells an undivided interest in the retail accounts to a bank conduit. This transaction is structured on a revolving basis and provides up to $100 million of funding. TRAC retains an interest in the retail accounts, which is subordinated to the bank conduit's investment as protection against loss, dilution and carrying costs. This facility expired in August 2003. In April 2004, NFC reached an agreement on a new conduit agreement for retail accounts.

In November 2000, NFC securitized its unsecured trade receivables generated by the sale of diesel engines and engine service parts from International to Ford, which we refer to as "engine receivables." NFC purchases the engine receivables from International and sells the engine receivables to Truck Engine Receivables Financing Co., or TERFCO, a wholly owned special purpose subsidiary of NFC. TERFCO established a trust which issued approximately $100 million of floating rate asset-backed notes in November 2000, which will begin to mature in November 2005. TERFCO retains a residual interest in the trust.

Common elements of securitization programs

The securitizations of receivables effected by NFC share a number of structural features. Except for the case of retail leases, in the first step of each securitization, the receivables are sold by

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NFC to its subsidiary (NFSC, NFRRC, TRIP, TRAC or TERFCO, as applicable) in a transaction intended to qualify as a true sale under applicable law to transfer NFC's entire ownership interest in the receivables so that such receivables would not constitute part of NFC's estate in the event of a bankruptcy of NFC. Each of these subsidiaries is a special purpose corporation, or SPC, whose activities are limited to participating in the securitization and related transactions. NFC has taken steps to maximize the likelihood that each SPC is a bankruptcy remote entity and minimize the risk that the voluntary or involuntary application for relief by NFC under the United States Bankruptcy Code or similar applicable state laws, or insolvency laws, will result in consolidation of the assets and liabilities of the SPC with those of NFC.

The SPC either (in the case of NFSC, NFRRC, TRAC and TERFCO) transfers its interest in the receivables to the related trust or conduit, which purchases and holds the receivables, or (in the case of TRIP) transfers a security interest in the receivables to an indenture trustee for the benefit of asset-backed security holders, who hold notes issued by TRIP that are secured by the receivables.

In all of these transactions, the SPC retains interests in the trusts or assets held by the bank conduit or the trustee, which may be in the form of residual interests, spread accounts or rights to excess spread on the receivables. These residual interests provide the initial level of protection to investors against credit losses on the sold receivables.

In each securitization, NFC is appointed as the servicer of the receivables. NFC can be replaced as servicer in any securitization upon a material default in the performance of its duties. In each securitization, NFC makes certain representations and warranties with respect to the receivables it sells to an SPC, and NFC remains obligated to repurchase any receivables with respect to which it breaches such representations or warranties.

The sales of receivables in each of the securitizations, other than the revolving retail warehouse facility, constitute sales under generally accepted accounting principles, with the result that the sold receivables are removed from NFC's balance sheet and the investors' interests in the related trust or conduit are not reflected as liabilities. However, the SPC's residual interests in the related trusts or assets held by the conduit are reflected on NFC's consolidated balance sheet, as assets.

Sale-leasebacks

Currently, NFC finances the majority of its operating and a portion of its finance leases through sale-leasebacks which are accounted for as secured borrowing arrangements. Typically, in this type of transaction Harco Leasing Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of NFC, directs a titling trust, which holds such leases and the leased vehicles as trust assets, to transfer a portfolio interest representing the leased vehicles to a third party financier. In this type of transaction, Harco Leasing typically retains substantially all ownership risk and pledges a portfolio interest representing the associated retail leases to the third party financier as collateral for its obligations under the sale-leaseback. For tax purposes, these arrangements are treated as sale-leaseback transactions with the third party financier receiving the tax benefits of asset ownership. As of October 31, 2003, NFC had $212.5 million in borrowings secured under these transactions. NFC expects to effect additional secured borrowing agreements in the future.

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Other financial services borrowings

NIC's three Mexican finance subsidiaries presently support their operations by borrowings under the NFC Revolving Credit Agreement, a 500 million Mexican Peso ($45 million equivalent) Medium Term Promissory Notes Program established in November 2001, and various bank credit facilities. Such borrowings are guaranteed in whole or in part by NIC and NFC. As of January 31, 2004, such borrowings had an aggregate principal balance of $205 million, of which $36 million was guaranteed by NIC and NFC, $67 million was guaranteed by NFC, and $102 million was guaranteed by NIC.

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Certain arrangements with NFC

Master intercompany agreement

The operating relationship between NFC and International is governed by the Master Intercompany Agreement, dated as of April 26, 1993 and as may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

Purchase of notes and accounts receivable

The Master Intercompany Agreement requires that International, with limited exceptions, offer NFC all wholesale and retail notes and installment sales contracts which International acquires in the regular course of its business from sales of trucks and related equipment to International dealers and customers. Such offers must be on terms which will (together with charges made to others for financing services) afford reasonable compensation for the financing services rendered by NFC to International and International dealers with respect to the sale of International products and used goods. NFC in turn has agreed, to the extent that it is able to finance such purchases, that it will purchase all such receivables except those, if any, as to which the risk of loss is unacceptable to NFC.

Pursuant to the Master Intercompany Agreement, NFC also purchases International's wholesale accounts receivable from International dealers arising out of International's sales of goods (primarily parts) and services to such dealers. NFC receives compensation from International in the form of a floating rate service charge for financing these accounts.

The Master Intercompany Agreement also provides that NFC will purchase retail accounts receivable from International that arise out of International's sales to retail customers and OEMs. NFC receives a floating rate service charge from International for financing these accounts.

Payment of financing charges by International

International currently provides floor plan financing assistance for International dealers through various interest credits and interest payments. Upon sale of a vehicle to an International dealer, International currently issues an interest credit to the dealer or provides an interest free period on the related wholesale note to the International dealer. International also currently pays interest on behalf of an International dealer during the period that a financed vehicle is in transit to the International dealer. Further, International periodically implements special sales programs pursuant to which it agrees to pay interest on behalf of International dealers for an extended period of time. Pursuant to the Master Intercompany Agreement, International pays the amount of interest owing on the wholesale notes during the in transit and any interest free periods directly to NFC.

Payments to International for administrative and other services

The Master Intercompany Agreement provides for payment by NFC to International of a fee for data processing and other administrative services based on the actual cost of the services performed. NFC paid International service fees of $1.9 million, $2.2 million, $2.5 million and $3.0 million for fiscal years 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

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Tax allocation agreement

Pursuant to the Tax Allocation Agreement effective October 1, 1981, as subsequently amended and supplemented, NFC is required to pay to International an amount equal to the amount NFC and its subsidiaries would pay with respect to federal corporate income taxes if NFC and its subsidiaries filed federal tax returns on a consolidated basis as an affiliated group of corporations, notwithstanding the fact that the affiliated group of corporations including NIC and its subsidiaries may not have any federal tax liability. The agreement contains similar provisions regarding state income taxes for states that permit the filing of consolidated returns.

Side agreement

The Side Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2000 and as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, requires either International or Navistar to hold and own 100% of the outstanding voting stock of NFC (other than shares held by directors of NFC as qualifying shares). The Side Agreement also requires International not to permit NFC's consolidated income before income taxes, interest expense and dividends on preferred stock to be less than 125% of NFC's consolidated interest expense and dividends on preferred stock for any period of four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the date of measurement.

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United States federal income tax considerations

The following is a general discussion of material United States federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the notes. Unless otherwise stated, this discussion is limited to the tax consequences to those persons who hold such notes as capital assets ("Holders"). This discussion does not address specific tax consequences that may be relevant to particular persons (including, for example, pass-through entities (e.g., partnerships) or persons who hold the notes through pass-through entities, individuals who are U.S. expatriates, financial institutions, broker-dealers, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, S corporations, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, dealers in securities or foreign currency, U.S. Holders (as defined below) that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar and persons in special situations, such as those who hold notes as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction, or other integrated investment). In addition, this discussion is limited to persons purchasing the notes for cash in this offering and at their "issue price" within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code (i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of notes are sold to the public for cash). Moreover, this discussion does not address U.S. federal alternative minimum tax consequences, and does not describe any tax consequences arising under U.S. federal gift and estate or other federal tax laws or under the tax laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction. This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.

If a Holder is a partnership, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding notes, we suggest that you consult your tax advisor.

Prospective purchasers of the notes are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences to them of acquiring, owning and disposing of the notes, as well as the application of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws.

U.S. federal income taxation of U.S. holders

The following discussion is limited to the U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a Holder that is (i) a citizen or individual resident of the United States (as defined in Section 7701(b) of the Code); (ii) a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of the source, or (iv) a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust's administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all its substantial decisions, or if the trust was in existence on August 20, 1996, and has properly elected to continue to be treated as a U.S. person (a "U.S. Holder").

A "Non-U.S. Holder" is a Holder (other than a partnership) that is not a U.S. Holder.

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Payments of interest.    Interest on a note will generally be includible in the income of a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at the time accrued or received in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Original issue discount.    The notes are not being issued with a discount that is subject to the original issue discount rules of the Code.

Disposition of notes.    U.S. Holders generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, redemption, including a repurchase by us for cash pursuant to the repurchase right, or other taxable disposition of the notes in an amount equal to the difference between:

A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in a note generally will equal the cost of the note to such U.S. Holder. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the treatment of capital gains (which may be taxed at lower rates than ordinary income for taxpayers who are individuals, trusts or estates and have held their notes for more than one year) and losses (the deductibility of which is subject to limitations).

Backup withholding and information reporting.    U.S. Holders will generally be subject to Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding on payments of interest on the notes and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the notes. Certain holders (including, among others, corporations and certain tax-exempt organizations) are generally not subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding will only be imposed where the noncorporate U.S. Holder (1) fails to furnish its social security number or other taxpayer identification number, referred to as a "TIN"; (2) furnishes an incorrect TIN; (3) is notified by the IRS that he or she has failed to properly report payments of interest or dividends; or (4) under certain circumstances, fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, that he or she has furnished a correct TIN and has not been notified by the IRS that he or she is subject to backup withholding.

The backup withholding rate is currently 28%. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder's federal income tax liability and may entitle such Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

U.S. federal income taxation of non-U.S. holders

The following discussion is limited to the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences relevant to Non-U.S. Holders. Special rules may apply to certain Non-U.S. Holders (including, for example, "controlled foreign corporations," "passive foreign investment companies," and "foreign personal holding companies") that are subject to special treatment under the Code. Such entities should consult their own tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.

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Payments of interest.    Payments of interest on the notes paid to a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax if such payments qualify as portfolio interest. The exemption applicable to such portfolio interest (the "Portfolio Interest Exemption") applies when:

If a Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the requirements of the Portfolio Interest Exemption, payments of interest made to such Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% withholding tax unless the beneficial owner of the note provides us or our agent, as the case may be, with a properly executed:

(1)
IRS Form W-8BEN (or a valid substitute or successor form) claiming an exemption or reduction from withholding under the benefit of an applicable tax treaty (a "Treaty Exemption") or

(2)
IRS Form W-8ECI (or a valid substitute or successor form) stating that interest paid on the note is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the conduct of the Non-U.S. Holder's trade or business in the United States,

each form to be renewed periodically as required by applicable Treasury regulations.

If interest on a note is effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder), then the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from the withholding tax described above (provided the certification requirements described above are satisfied), will be subject to United States federal income tax on such interest on a net income basis in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder. In addition, if such Holder is a

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foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments. For this purpose, interest on a note and gain from the disposition of a note generally will be included in such foreign corporation's earnings and profit.

Disposition of notes. A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale or other taxable disposition (including a redemption) of a note unless:


U.S. Federal Estate Tax    The estate of a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax on notes beneficially owned by the Non-U.S. Holder at the time of death, provided that any payment on the notes to the Non-U.S. Holder would be eligible for the Portfolio Interest Exemption described above under "—Payments of interest," without regard to the certification requirements described in that section.

Backup withholding and information reporting.    We must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder the amount of interest paid on a note, regardless of whether withholding was required, and any tax withheld with respect to the interest. Under the provisions of an income tax treaty and other applicable agreements, copies of these returns may be made available to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides.

A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of interest on the notes and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the notes to or through a U.S. office of a broker, as long as (1) the Non-U.S. Holder furnishes to the payor or broker a valid IRS Form W-8BEN (or substitute or successor form) certifying, under penalties of perjury, its status as a non-U.S. person or otherwise establishes an exemption and (2) the payor or broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the Non-U.S. Holder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.

The payment of the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the notes to or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, a sale or disposition of the notes will be subject to information reporting if it is to or through a foreign office of a broker that is a "U.S. related broker" unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person and the documentation requirements described above are met, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Under applicable Treasury regulations, a broker is a "U.S. related broker" if it is (1) a U.S. person, (2) a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal

PS-109


income tax purposes, (3) a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income for a specified three-year period is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, or (4) a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year one or more of its partners are U.S. persons, as defined in Treasury regulations, who in the aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interests in the partnership, or such foreign partnership is engaged in the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will otherwise be refundable, provided that the requisite procedures are followed and the proper information is filed with the IRS on a timely basis. Non-U.S. Holders of the notes should consult their own tax advisors regarding their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable.

THIS DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. ACCORDINGLY, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS, AND OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAWS.

PS-110



Underwriting

Subject to the terms and conditions in the underwriting agreement between us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes that appears opposite its name in the table below:

Underwriter
   Principal amount
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.   $  
Credit Suisse First Boston LLC      
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.      
Banc of America Securities LLC      
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.      
BNY Capital Markets, Inc.      
RBC Capital Markets Corporation      
   
Total   $ 250,000,000

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all the notes if any of them are purchased.

The underwriters initially propose to offer the notes to the public at the public offering price that appears on the cover page of this prospectus. The underwriters may offer the notes to selected dealers at the public offering price minus a concession of up to    % of the principal amount. In addition, the underwriters may allow, and those selected dealers may reallow, a concession of up to    % of the principal amount to certain other dealers. After the initial offering, the underwriters may change the public offering price and any other selling terms. The underwriters may offer and sell notes through certain of their affiliates.

In the underwriting agreement, we have agreed that:

The notes are a new issue of securities, and there is currently no established trading market for the notes. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market making in the notes at any time at their sole discretion. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

PS-111


In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Stabilizing transactions any syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the notes to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions. If the underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

The underwriters or their affiliates have from time to time provided investment banking, commercial banking and financial advisory services to us and our affiliates, for which they have received customary compensation. The underwriters and their affiliates may provide similar services in the future. Certain of the underwriters, including J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, were the initial purchasers in connection with the sale of our 93/8% senior notes in 2001 and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC was the initial purchaser in connection with the sale of our 2.5% senior convertible notes in 2002. In addition, as part of the Concurrent Transactions, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. is serving as the solicitation agent in connection with the consent solicitation relating to the 93/8% senior notes and the dealer manager and solicitation agent in connection with the tender offer and consent solicitation relating to our 8% senior subordinated notes due 2008. An affiliate of BNY Capital Markets, Inc. serves as the trustee under the indentures governing the 93/8% senior notes, 2.5% senior convertible notes, 8.0% senior subordinated notes and 4.75% subordinated exchangeable notes.

PS-112



Legal matters

Certain legal matters regarding the validity of the notes and the International Guarantee will be passed upon for us by Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, Chicago, Illinois (a partnership which includes professional corporations). The underwriters have been represented by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York.


Experts

The consolidated financial statements of Navistar International Corporation and consolidated subsidiaries as of October 31, 2003 and 2002 and for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2003 incorporated by reference in the prospectus of which this prospectus supplement is a part have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference in such prospectus.


Incorporation by reference and delivery of certain documents

The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement. We hereby incorporate by reference our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended January 31, 2004, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2003, our Proxy Statement, dated January 15, 2004, our Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated January 15, 2004, February 23, 2004, March 2, 2004, March 17, 2004, May 12, 2004 and May 20, 2004.

You may request a copy of any of these documents at no cost (other than exhibits unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference) by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number: Navistar International Corporation 4201 Winfield Road P.O. Box 1488 Warrenville, Illinois 60555 Attention: Investor Relations Telephone: (630) 753-5000


Where you can find additional information

Navistar is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, files reports and other information with the SEC. The reports and other information filed by it with the SEC in accordance with the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such material or parts thereof may also be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates or accessed electronically by means of the SEC's home page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov. Information on the operations of the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our reports and other information that are filed with the SEC are not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement unless otherwise expressly indicated and, therefore, are not part of this prospectus supplement unless otherwise expressly indicated. See "Incorporation by reference and delivery of certain documents."

PS-113


PROSPECTUS

$1,000,000,000

Navistar International Corporation
Debt Securities, Common Stock,
Preferred Stock, Preference Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants,
Purchase Contracts, Units

Navistar Financial Corporation
Debt Securities, Depositary Shares, Warrants,
Purchase Contracts, Units

        By this prospectus, Navistar International Corporation may offer from time to time the following types of securities:

        In addition, Navistar Financial Corporation may offer from time to time the following types of securities:

        International Truck and Engine Corporation, the principal operating subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation, may guarantee some or all of the debt securities of Navistar International Corporation. The securities will have an aggregate initial offering price of up to $1,000,000,000 or an equivalent amount in U.S. dollars if any securities are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars. The securities may be offered separately or together in any combination and as separate series. Some of the securities of Navistar Financial Corporation may be exchangeable for securities of Navistar International Corporation and vice versa.

        We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. We can only use this prospectus to offer and sell any specific security by also including a prospectus supplement for that security. You should read this prospectus and the prospectus supplements carefully before you invest.

        NIC's common stock is publicly traded on the New York, Chicago and Pacific Stock Exchanges under the symbol "NAV."

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is April 6, 2004


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
   Page
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION   ii
NAVISTAR FILINGS   ii
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS   iii
THE COMPANIES   1
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES   1
USE OF PROCEEDS   2
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES   3
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF NIC   15
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES   18
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS   21
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS   24
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS   25
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION   26
LEGAL MATTERS   28
EXPERTS   28


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using the "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell the securities described in this prospectus from time to time. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. We may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus through one or more supplements to this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement we make in a prospectus supplement. The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. Information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the Securities and Exchange Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. See "Navistar Filings." You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

        No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us or any underwriter, agent, dealer or remarketing firm. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date hereof or that the information contained or incorporated by reference herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of such information. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

        Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus: (i) "the Company," "us," "we," "our" and "Navistar" refer to Navistar International Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries and their respective predecessors; (ii) "NIC" refers to Navistar International Corporation, exclusive of its subsidiaries; (iii) "International" refers to International Truck and Engine Corporation, the principal operating subsidiary of NIC; (iv) "NFC" refers to Navistar Financial Corporation, a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of International; (v) "North America" refers to the United States and Canada; and (vi) "this prospectus" refers to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

i



WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus forms a part of that registration statement and does not contain all of the information in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement.

        We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, we file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may review a copy of those reports, statements or other information at the Securities and Exchange Commission's public reference room, which is located at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.

        These Securities and Exchange Commission filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning us may also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

        These Securities and Exchange Commission filings are also available at our website at www.internationaldelivers.com.

        The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus or in later filed documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents contain important business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus.


NAVISTAR FILINGS

Navistar International Corporation

(File No. 1-9618)
   Period or Date Filed
Annual Report on Form 10-K   Fiscal Year ended October 31, 2003

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
 
Quarterly Period ended January 31, 2004

Current Reports on Form 8-K
 
Filed February 6, 2004, February 23, 2004 and January 15, 2004

Proxy Statement
 
January 15, 2004

Description of Common Stock
 
Form 8-K filed June 9, 2003

Navistar Financial Corporation

(File No. 1-4146)
   Period or Date Filed
Annual Report on Form 10-K   Fiscal Year ended October 31, 2003

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
 
Quarterly Period ended January 31, 2004

Current Report on Form 8-K
 
Filed February 17, 2004

ii

        We are also incorporating by reference the information contained in all other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (other than Current Reports on Form 8-K furnished pursuant to Item 9 or Item 12 of Form 8-K, unless otherwise indicated therein) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering. These include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy statements.

        You can request a free copy of any or all of these documents (other than the exhibits to these documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into these documents) by writing to the following addresses or calling the following telephone numbers:

Navistar International Corporation
4201 Winfield Road
P.O. Box 1488
Warrenville, Illinois 60555
Attention: Investor Relations
(630) 753-5000		 Navistar Financial Corporation
2850 West Golf Road
Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008
Attention: Investor Relations
(847) 734-4000

        Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, and such forward-looking statements only speak as of the date of this prospectus. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our business strategy. These statements often include words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate" or similar expressions. These statements are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our experience in the industry as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. As you read and consider this prospectus, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include:

iii

        Other factors and assumptions not identified above are also relevant to the forward-looking statements, and if they prove incorrect, could also cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

iv



THE COMPANIES

General

        We are a leading manufacturer and distributor of a full line of diesel-powered medium and heavy trucks, school buses and parts and services sold under the International® truck brand and IC™ bus lines. We sell our truck products to the common carrier, private carrier, government/service, leasing, construction, energy/petroleum and student transportation markets. We are also the leading supplier of mid-range diesel engines in the 160-300 horsepower range. Our diesel engines are sold under the International® brand as well as produced for other original equipment manufacturers in the United States, Mexico and Brazil, principally Ford. We are the exclusive supplier of 6.0L electronically controlled diesel engines to Ford through the year 2012 for use in all of Ford's diesel-powered super-duty trucks and vans over 8,500 lbs. gross vehicle weight in North America.

        Our financial services operations are conducted through NFC and NIC's three Mexican finance subsidiaries. NFC is a commercial financing organization that provides wholesale, retail and lease financing for sales of new and used trucks sold by International and its dealers in the United States. NFC also finances the Company's wholesale accounts and selected retail accounts receivable. NIC's three Mexican finance subsidiaries provide wholesale, retail and lease financing for sales of new and used trucks sold by International and its dealers in Mexico. The financial services operations also finance sales of new and used products of other manufacturers, regardless of whether those products are designed or customarily sold for use with International's truck products.

Corporate Structure

        NIC's common stock is publicly traded on the New York, Chicago and Pacific Stock Exchanges under the symbol "NAV." NIC is a holding company, and conducts its manufacturing operations principally through International and, to a lesser extent, through certain other wholly owned foreign and domestic subsidiaries. Our manufacturing operations are supported by our financial services subsidiaries, including NFC. NFC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International.

        NIC, International and NFC are corporations organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. International is the successor to the truck and engine business of International Harvester Company, which began business in 1907. NIC's principal executive offices are located at 4201 Winfield Road, Warrenville, Illinois 60555, and its telephone number at this location is (630) 753-5000. NIC's website is www.internationaldelivers.com. NFC's principal executive offices are located at 2850 West Golf Road, Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008, and its telephone number at this location is (847) 734-4000. Information on our website should not be construed to be part of this prospectus.


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for Navistar and NFC for the periods indicated:

 
    
   Year ended October 31,
  
 
   Quarter ended January 31, 2004
  
 
   2003
   2002
   2001
   2000
   1999
  
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges:                          
  Navistar International Corporation(1)   —   —   —   —   2.1 x 4.6 x
  Navistar Financial Corporation   2.0 x 2.9 x 2.0 x 1.7 x 1.9 x 2.0 x
(1)
For the quarter ended January 31, 2004, and the years ended October 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, Navistar's earnings were insufficient to cover its fixed changes by $39.0 million, $52 million, $783 million and $75 million, respectively.

1

        For purposes of the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, "earnings" consist of pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations, adjusted for the cumulative effect of changes in accounting policy, interest expense, debt expense amortization and the portion of rental expense deemed representative of an interest factor. "Fixed charges" consist of interest expense, debt expense amortization and the portion of rental expense deemed representative of the interest factor. For further information with respect to the preceding table, please see Exhibit 12.1 to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless specified otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, NIC and/or NFC will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes and/or the refinancing of existing indebtedness.

2



DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        The following description of the debt securities and terms of the indentures, as defined below, is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the debt securities and those portions of the indentures, which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in NIC's and/or NFC's debt securities. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the indentures, and not this summary, which define your rights as a debtholder. There may be other provisions in the indentures which are also important to you. You should read the indentures for a full description of the terms of the debt. The senior indentures and the subordinated indentures are filed as exhibits to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain copies of the senior indentures and the subordinated indentures.

        The debt securities may be issued by NIC and/or NFC from time to time in one or more series. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent to which the general provisions described below may apply to such debt securities will be outlined in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        In addition, as described under "Description of Depositary Shares," depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts, each representing a fractional interest in debt securities and deposited with a depositary may be offered. The fractional interest in the debt securities which each depositary share represents will be stated in the prospectus supplement relating to any debt securities offered through depositary shares.

        NIC and/or NFC will issue the senior debt securities under separate senior indentures to be entered into separately between NIC and/or NFC and a bank or trust company that NIC and/or NFC, as the case may be, select to act as trustee (as may be supplemented by one or more supplemental indentures, the "senior indentures"). NIC and/or NFC will issue the subordinated debt securities under separate subordinated indentures to be entered into separately between NIC and/or NFC and a bank or trust company that NIC and/or NFC, as the case may be, select to act as trustee (as may be supplemented by one or more supplemental indentures, the "subordinated indentures"). The senior indentures and the subordinated indentures are sometimes referred to collectively as the "indentures." The trustees under the senior indentures and under the subordinated indentures are referred to herein as the "indenture trustees."

General

        The indentures will provide that NIC and/or NFC may issue debt securities in separate series from time to time in an unlimited amount. NIC and/or NFC may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series. The debt securities will have terms and provisions that are not inconsistent with the indentures, including NIC's and/or NFC's determination as to maturity, principal and interest. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities will be unsecured obligations of the issuer and will rank on parity with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the issuer. The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured obligations of the issuer, subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of the issuer's senior debt as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        NIC's assets consist primarily of cash and the common stock of its subsidiaries, and NIC conducts no substantial business or operations of its own. NIC derives substantially all of its income from its operating subsidiaries. Accordingly, NIC's cash flows and consequent ability to service its obligations, including its debt securities, are dependent upon the earnings of its subsidiaries, distributions of those earnings to NIC and other payments or distributions of funds by NIC's subsidiaries to NIC.

        Except to the extent that NIC or its creditors have a priority or equal claim as a creditor directly against NIC's subsidiaries, payments due on NIC's debt securities and any distribution of assets of any

3


of NIC's subsidiaries upon liquidation or reorganization effectively will be subordinated to the debt, preferred stock and preference stock, if any, of the subsidiaries because, as the stockholder of those subsidiaries, NIC will be subject to the prior claims of their creditors. NIC's debt securities will also be effectively subordinated to any of its secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of any such security.

        NFC conducts a portion of its funding operations through its subsidiaries. Accordingly, NFC's cash flows and consequent ability to service its obligations, including its debt securities, are dependent in part upon the earnings of its subsidiaries, distributions of those earnings to NFC and other payments or distributions of funds by NFC's subsidiaries to NFC.

        Except to the extent that NFC or its creditors have a priority or equal claim as a creditor directly against NFC's subsidiaries, payments due on NFC's debt securities and any distribution of assets of any of NFC's subsidiaries upon liquidation or reorganization effectively will be subordinated to the debt, preferred stock and preference stock, if any, of the subsidiaries because, as the stockholder of those subsidiaries, NFC will be subject to the prior claims of their creditors. NFC's debt securities will also be effectively subordinated to any of its secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of any such security.

        We will prepare a prospectus supplement for each series of debt securities that NIC and/or NFC issue. Each prospectus supplement will set forth the applicable terms of the debt securities and any guarantee to which it relates. These terms will include some or all of the following:

4

        Debt securities, including original issue discount securities, may be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities sold at an original issue discount will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Special U.S. tax and other considerations applicable to any debt securities which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        The above is not intended to be an exclusive list of the terms that may be applicable to any debt securities and NIC and/or NFC are not limited in any respect in their ability to issue debt securities with terms different from or in addition to those described above or elsewhere in this prospectus, provided that the terms are not inconsistent with the applicable indenture. Any applicable prospectus supplement will also describe any special provisions for the payment of additional amounts with respect to the debt securities.

5


Guarantee of Debt Securities

        International is the principal operating subsidiary of NIC. International may guarantee the obligations of NIC under its debt securities and all obligations under its indentures with respect to such guaranteed debt securities. The terms of the International guarantee will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. The International guarantee may be on a senior or subordinated basis and may be secured or unsecured. To the extent the International guarantee is unsecured, it will effectively rank junior to any secured indebtedness of International to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, rank equally with all of International's existing and future unsecured indebtedness that does not expressly provide that it is subordinated to the International guarantee, rank ahead of any of International's existing and future indebtedness that expressly provides that it is subordinated to the International guarantee and structurally behind all of the existing and future liabilities of International's subsidiaries.

        The obligations of International under any guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent the guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.

        Pursuant to each guarantee, International will irrevocably and unconditionally agree, to the extent set forth in the guarantee, to pay in full, to the holders of the related debt securities, the principal premium and interest on such debt securities in the event such payment is not made by the issuer of the debt securities.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

        The debt securities of a series shall be issued as registered securities, unless a supplemental indenture, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement, provides that debt securities of a series may be issued as bearer securities (with or without coupons attached) or as both registered securities and bearer securities. Debt securities may be issuable in the form of global debt securities, as described below under "Global Securities."

        Registered securities of any series will be exchangeable for other registered securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. If the supplemental indenture permits debt securities of any series to be issuable as both registered securities and as bearer securities, then at the option of the holder and subject to the terms of the applicable indenture, bearer securities of such series will be exchangeable for registered securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any bearer security surrendered in exchange for a registered security between a record date or a special record date for defaulted interest and the relevant date for payment of interest will be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for payment of interest and interest represented by that coupon will not be payable in respect of the registered security issued in exchange for such bearer security, but will be payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture. Bearer securities will not be issued in exchange for registered securities.

        No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but NIC and/or NFC may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the security registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. Any security registrar and transfer agent initially designated by NIC and/or NFC for any debt securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

        At any time, NIC and/or NFC may designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except

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that NIC and/or NFC will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

        In the event that NIC and/or NFC redeem in part debt securities of any series, NIC and/or NFC, as the case may be, will not be required to:

Global Securities

        The debt securities of any series may be represented by global securities which will have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of the debt securities they represent. NIC and/or NFC will deposit the debt securities with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. Each global security will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer as may be provided by the indentures. The depositary shall at all times be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

        No global security may be exchanged for debt securities registered, and no transfer of a global security may be registered, in the name of any person other than the depositary for such global security unless:

        All debt securities issued in exchange for a global security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the depositary may direct. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of debt securities take physical delivery of such debt securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

        As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered holder of a global security, the depositary or such nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of such global security and the debt securities represented by it. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have the global security or any debt securities represented thereby registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated debt securities in exchange for the global security and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of the global security or any debt securities represented by the global security for any purpose under the debt securities or the applicable indenture. All payments of principal, interest and premium on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as its holder.

        Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or to persons that may hold beneficial interests through institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown only on, and the transfer

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of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or any such participant. Payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in a global security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the depositary from time to time. NIC and/or NFC, the indenture trustees or any agent of NIC and/or NFC or the indenture trustees will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the depositary or any participant's records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the depositary's records or any participant's records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Payment and Paying Agents

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name such debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for such interest, except in the case of defaulted interest.

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, interest and premium on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as NIC and/or NFC may designate for that purpose from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the option of NIC and/or NFC, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the interest as the address appears in the security register.

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a paying agent designated by NIC and/or NFC and located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York will act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. All paying agents initially designated by NIC and/or NFC for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. NIC and/or NFC may at any time designate additional paying agents, rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that NIC and/or NFC will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

        All moneys paid by NIC and/or NFC to a paying agent for the payment of principal, interest or premium on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to NIC and/or NFC, as the case may be, upon request, and the holder of such debt security thereafter may look only to NIC and/or NFC for payment thereof.

Conversion or Exchange

        The debt securities of NIC and/or NFC may be convertible into or exchangeable for NIC's common stock or other securities of NIC and/or NFC. If the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable, we will describe the specific terms on which the debt securities may be converted or exchanged in the applicable prospectus supplement. The conversion or exchange may be mandatory, at your option or at the option of NIC and/or NFC. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the manner in which the debt securities would be converted or exchanged.

Subordination of Subordinated Indentures

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to the subordinated debt securities.

        To the extent set forth in the subordinated indentures, the subordinated debt securities will be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness. In the event of

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an insolvency, the holders of senior indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due in respect of all senior indebtedness (or provisions shall be made for such payment in cash) before the holders of subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any distribution on account of principal, interest or premium on subordinated debt securities. Consequently, the holders of senior indebtedness shall be entitled to receive all distributions of any kind which may be deliverable in respect of the subordinated debt securities in any insolvency, including any distribution which may be deliverable by reason of the payment of any of NIC's and/or NFC's other indebtedness being subordinated to the payment of subordinated debt securities. The holders of senior indebtedness shall apply such distributions to the payment of the senior indebtedness.

        "Insolvency" means any of the following events:

        By reason of this subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency, holders of subordinated debt securities may recover less, ratably, than holders of senior debt securities.

        In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities, the holders of all senior debt securities outstanding at the time of the acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the senior debt securities before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment of principal, interest or premium on the subordinated debt securities.

        No payment of principal, interest or premium on the subordinated debt securities is permitted if any of NIC's and/or NFC's senior indebtedness is not paid when due and any applicable grace period with respect to such default has ended and such default has not been cured or waived or ceased to exist, or if the maturity of any of NIC's and/or NFC's, as the case may be, senior indebtedness has been accelerated because of a default.

        The subordinated indentures does not limit or prohibit the issuance of additional senior debt securities, which may include indebtedness that is senior to the subordinated debt securities, but subordinate to NIC's and/or NFC's other obligations.

        The term "senior indebtedness" means:

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except, in each such case, for any such indebtedness or other obligation that is by its terms subordinated to or ranks equal with the subordinated debt securities.

        Such senior indebtedness shall continue to be senior indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such senior indebtedness.

        The prospectus supplement may further describe the provisions applicable to the subordination of the subordinated debt securities of a particular series.

Outstanding Debt Securities

        "Outstanding," when used with respect to debt securities, means, as of the date of determination, all debt securities authenticated and delivered under the applicable indenture, except:

        Each indenture will provide that in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding debt securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the applicable indenture:

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        Debt securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the applicable indenture trustee the pledgee's right to act with respect to the debt securities and that the pledgee is not NIC and/or NFC or any other obligor upon the debt securities or any of NIC's and/or NFC's affiliates or of such other obligor.

Events of Default

        Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the applicable indenture with respect to debt securities of any series:


        Each indenture will provide that if an event of default with respect to the debt securities (other than certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) of any series at the time outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the indenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of, and accrued but unpaid interest on, the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. However, after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived. For information as to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver." In the case that certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur and are continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all of the applicable debt securities will automatically become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders of such debt securities.

        Subject to the provisions of the applicable indenture relating to the duties of the indenture trustee in case an event of default shall occur and be continuing, the indenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless such holders shall have offered to the indenture trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the indenture trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will

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have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the indenture trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the indenture trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

        No holder of a debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the applicable indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any remedy thereunder, unless:

        However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security for the enforcement of payment of the principal, interest or premium on such debt security on or after the due dates expressed in the debt security.

        Annually, NIC and/or NFC are required to furnish to each indenture trustee a statement by certain of their officers that NIC and/or NFC, as the case may be, are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms of the applicable indenture.

Modification and Waiver

        NIC and/or NFC and if applicable, any guarantor of any series of the debt securities, and the trustee under each indenture may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, amend, waive or supplement the respective indenture for specified purposes, including to:

        Each of the indentures will provide that NIC and/or NFC and if applicable, any guarantor of any series of the debt securities, and the applicable indenture trustee may modify and amend the applicable

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indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive compliance by NIC and/or NFC with certain restrictive provisions of the applicable indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default under the applicable indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and provisions of the applicable indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such series affected.

        NIC and/or NFC will be entitled, except in certain limited circumstances, to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding debt securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by the applicable indenture. To be effective, any such action for which NIC and/or NFC have set a record date must be taken by holders of the requisite principal amount of debt securities of the relevant series outstanding on such record date within 180 days after the record date, or within such shorter period as NIC and/or NFC, as the case may be, may specify.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

        NIC and/or NFC may elect, at their option, to have the provisions relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, or relating to defeasance of certain covenants in the indentures, applied to the debt securities of any series, or to any specified part of a series.

Defeasance And Discharge

        Each indenture will provide that NIC and/or NFC may elect to be discharged from obligations with respect to any particular debt securities. Such discharge will take effect when they deposit in trust for the benefit of the holders of such debt securities money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal, interest and premium on such debt securities in accordance with their terms. However, such discharge shall not apply to NIC's and/or NFC's obligations to exchange or register the transfer of debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or

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mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys in trust. Such defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things, NIC and/or NFC have delivered to the indenture trustee an opinion of counsel stating that they have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that holders of the debt securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge were not to occur.

        Each indenture will provide that NIC and/or NFC may elect to defease certain covenants with respect to any particular debt securities. Such defeasance will take effect when NIC and/or NFC deposit, in trust for the benefit of the holders of such debt securities, money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal, interest and premium on such debt securities in accordance with their terms. Such defeasance may occur only if, among other things, NIC and/or NFC have delivered to the indenture trustee an opinion of counsel stating that holders of the debt securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance were not to occur. In the event NIC and/or NFC exercise this option with respect to any debt securities and such debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and U.S. government obligations so deposited in trust will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of their stated maturities but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities upon any acceleration resulting from such event of default. In such case, NIC and/or NFC will remain liable for such payments.

Notices

        Notices to holders of debt securities will be given by mail to the addresses of such holders as they may appear in the security register.

Title

        NIC and/or NFC, the applicable indenture trustee and any agent of NIC and/or NFC or the indenture trustee may treat the person in whose name a debt security is registered as the absolute owner for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.

Governing Law

        The indentures will provide that they and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.

Concerning the Indenture Trustees

        The indenture trustees described in this prospectus may perform other services for NIC and/or NFC and their affiliates from time to time.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF NIC

        The following description of NIC's capital stock is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of NIC's capital stock that we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in NIC's capital stock. You should keep in mind, however, that it is NIC's certificate of incorporation, including any certificates of designations or retirement that are a part of its certificate of incorporation, NIC's bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"), and not this summary, which define your rights as a securityholder. There may be other provisions in these documents that are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of NIC's capital stock. NIC's certificate of incorporation, including any certificates of designations or retirement, and NIC's bylaws are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.

        NIC's certificate of incorporation authorizes it to issue 110 million shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.10 per share, 30 million shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $1.00 per share, and 10 million shares of preference stock, with a par value of $1.00 per share. As of December 31, 2003 there were 68,682,774 shares of common stock outstanding, one share of nonconvertible junior preference stock, series B, or "Series B Preference Stock" outstanding and 155,774 shares of convertible junior preference stock, series D, or "Series D Preference Stock" outstanding.

        The particular terms of the common stock, preferred stock or preference stock offered by NIC from time to time in any prospectus supplement and the extent to which the general provisions described below may apply to such common stock, preferred stock or preference stock will be outlined in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Common Stock

        NIC's common stock is listed on the New York, Chicago and Pacific Stock Exchanges under the symbol "NAV." Mellon Investor Services is the transfer agent and registrar for NIC's common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock issued under this prospectus will be, fully paid and non-assessable.

        Dividend Rights.    Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL or NIC's certificate of incorporation, holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by NIC's Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor; provided that if any shares of preferred stock or preference stock are outstanding, no dividends (other than dividends payable in common stock) or other distributions (including purchases) may be made with respect to the common stock unless full cumulative dividends, if any, on the shares of preferred stock and preference stock have been paid.

        Liquidation Rights.    Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL or NIC's certificate of incorporation and subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock or preference stock, in the event of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of NIC, holders of common stock are entitled to receive, after satisfaction in full of the prior rights of creditors (including holders of NIC's indebtedness) and holders of preferred stock and preference stock, all of NIC's remaining assets.

        Voting Rights.    Except as otherwise provided by the DGCL or NIC's certificate of incorporation and subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock or preference stock, each holder of common stock has one vote for each share held by such holder for the election of directors and on any question arising at any shareholders meeting.

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        Other.    NIC's common stock is not convertible into, or exchangeable for, any other class or series of its capital stock. The holders of common stock are not entitled to preemptive, redemption or subscription rights. Shares of common stock are not subject to calls or assessments.

Preferred Stock and Preference Stock

        NIC is authorized to issue preferred stock and preference stock, which may be issued from time to time in one or more series upon authorization by NIC's Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix the dividend rights and terms, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights and terms, liquidation preferences, privileges and restrictions applicable to each series of preferred stock and preference stock. The issuance of preferred stock and preference stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes could, among other things, adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and under certain circumstances, make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of NIC, discourage bids for the common stock at a premium or otherwise adversely affect the market price of the common stock.

        We will describe the terms, if any, upon which shares of any series of preferred stock and preference stock are convertible or exchangeable into NIC's common stock or other securities in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering. The conversion or exchange may be mandatory, at your option or at NIC's option. The applicable prospectus supplement will state the manner in which the shares of NIC's common stock or other securities that you will receive as a holder of preferred stock and preference stock would be converted or exchanged.

        In addition, as described under "Description of Depositary Shares," NIC may, at its option, instead of offering whole individual shares of any series of preferred stock or preference stock, offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts, each representing a fraction of a share of the particular series of preferred stock and preference stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The fraction of a share of preferred stock and preference stock that each depositary share represents will be stated in the prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock and preference stock offered through depositary shares.

        Two series of preference stock are currently outstanding: Series D Preference Stock and Series B Preference Stock. Three million shares of Series D Preference Stock are authorized and one share of Series B Preference Stock is authorized

        Ranking.    The shares of Series D Preference Stock have preference over the shares of common stock with respect to payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of NIC's liquidation, winding up or dissolution.

        Dividend Rights.    Holders of shares of Series D Preference Stock are entitled to receive accrued dividends, if any, if and when declared by the Board of Directors, in the amount of 120% of the dividend (on an as-converted basis) declared on common stock, other than a dividend payable solely in shares of common stock.

        Liquidation Rights.    Before any distribution to holders of common stock or holders of any other stock ranking junior upon liquidation to the Series D Preference Stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of NIC, holders of the Series D Preference Stock are entitled to receive $25 per share plus accrued dividends.

        Voting Rights.    Generally, holders of Series D Preference Stock do not have any voting powers, except as provided by the DGCL and except that holders of at least two-thirds of the number of shares

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outstanding must approve any adverse amendment, alteration or repeal of the preferences, special rights or powers of Series D Preference Stock.

        Redemption.    The Series D Preference Stock is redeemable at any time, in whole or in part, at NIC's option upon at least thirty days' advance written notice at the price of $25 per share plus accrued dividends.

        Conversion.    Holders of Series D Preference Stock have the right at their option to convert shares of the Series D Preference Stock into shares of common stock at any time at a conversion rate of 0.3125 of a share of common stock for each share plus accrued dividends.

        In connection with a 1993 restructuring of our post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits pursuant to a settlement agreement, the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agriculture Implement Workers of America, or "UAW," was issued the Series B Preference Stock. As the holder of the Series B Preference Stock, UAW is entitled to elect one member of NIC's Board of Directors, until such time as we have fully funded our liability under the health care and life insurance benefits program (subject to such right revesting if such funding falls below 85% of the fully funded amount). The Series B Preference Stock is not transferable by UAW, does not have any voting rights other than as described above or as required by law, does not have the right to receive dividends or distributions and is redeemable for a nominal price at such time as UAW has not been entitled to elect a director for five consecutive years.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of NIC's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

        NIC's certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain certain provisions that are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of its Board of Directors and which may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing NIC's future takeover or change of control unless the takeover or change of control is approved by NIC's Board of Directors. These provisions may also render the removal of the current Board of Directors and of management more difficult. These provisions include:

        Furthermore, protection is afforded by the DGCL, which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

        The following description of the depositary shares and the terms of the deposit agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the depositary shares and those portions of the deposit agreement that we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in NIC's and/or NFC's depositary shares. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the deposit agreement, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a holder of depositary shares. There may be other provisions in the deposit agreement that are also important to you. You should read the deposit agreement for a full description of the terms of the depositary shares. A form of the deposit agreement is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain a copy of the deposit agreement.

        The particular terms of the depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent to which the general provisions described below may apply to such depositary shares will be outlined in the applicable prospectus supplement.

General

        NIC and/or NFC may choose to offer from time to time fractional interests in their debt securities and NIC may chose to offer from time to time fractional shares of its common stock, preferred stock or preference stock. If NIC and/or NFC do so, they will issue fractional interests in their debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be, in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share would represent a fractional interest in a security of a particular series of debt securities, a fraction of a share of common stock, a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock or a fraction of a share of a particular series of preference stock, as the case may be, and would be evidenced by a depositary receipt.

        NIC and/or NFC will deposit the debt securities and NIC will deposit the shares of common stock, preferred stock and preference stock represented by depositary shares under a deposit agreement between NIC and/or NFC, as the case may be, and a depositary which NIC and/or NFC, as the case may be, will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, as an owner of a depositary share you will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a debt security or share of common stock, preferred stock or preference stock represented by the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the debt security, common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary share, including, as the case may be, interest, dividend, voting, conversion, redemption, sinking fund, repayment at maturity, subscription and liquidation rights.

Interest, Dividends and Other Distributions

        The depositary will distribute all payments of interest, cash dividends or other cash distributions received on the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be, to you in proportion to the number of depositary shares that you own.

        In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to you in an equitable manner, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make a distribution. In that case the depositary may sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to you.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

        If NIC and/or NFC redeem a debt security or if NIC redeems common stock or a series of preferred stock or preference stock represented by depositary shares, the depositary will redeem your depositary shares from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption. The

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redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per debt security or share of common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be, payable in relation to the redeemed series of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or preference stock. Whenever NIC and/or NFC redeem debt securities or whenever NIC redeems shares of common stock, preferred stock or preference stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing, as the case may be, fractional interests in the debt securities or shares of common stock, preferred stock or preference stock redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot, proportionately or by any other equitable method as the depositary may determine.

Exercise of Rights under the Indentures or Voting the Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Preference Stock

        Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which you are entitled to vote, or of any request for instructions or directions from you as holder of fractional interests in debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, the depositary will mail to you the information contained in that notice. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary how to give instructions or directions with respect to the debt securities represented by that holder's depositary shares or how to vote the amount of the common stock, preferred stock or preference stock represented by that holder's depositary shares. The record date for the depositary shares will be the same date as the record date for the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be. The depositary will endeavor, to the extent practicable, to give instructions or directions with respect to the debt securities or to vote the amount of the common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be, represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions. NIC and/or NFC will agree to take all reasonable action which the depositary may deem necessary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from giving instructions or directions with respect to your fractional interests in the debt securities or voting shares of the common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be, if it does not receive specific instructions from you.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

        NIC and/or NFC and the depositary may amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement at any time. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of the depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding.

        The deposit agreement will terminate if:

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Resignation and Removal of Depositary

        The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to NIC and/or NFC notice of its election to do so. NIC and/or NFC, as the case may be, also may, at any time, remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. NIC and/or NFC must appoint the successor depositary within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal. The successor depositary must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Charges of Depositary

        NIC and/or NFC will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. NIC and/or NFC will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the debt securities and the issuance of depositary receipts, all withdrawals of depositary shares of debt securities by you and any repayment or redemption of the debt securities. NIC will pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of common stock, preferred stock or preference stock and issuance of depositary receipts, all withdrawals of depositary shares of common stock, preferred stock or preference stock by you and any repayment or redemption of the common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be. You will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges, as well as the other charges that are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for your account.

Miscellaneous

        The depositary will forward all reports and communications from NIC and/or NFC which are delivered to the depositary and which they are required or otherwise determine to furnish to holders of debt securities, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be.

        NIC and/or NFC and the depositary will not be liable under the deposit agreement to you other than for their gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. NIC and/or NFC and the depositary also will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceedings relating to any depositary shares, debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be, unless a satisfactory indemnity is furnished. NIC and/or NFC and the depositary may rely upon (i) written advice of counsel or accountants, (ii) information provided by persons presenting debt securities or shares of common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be, for deposit and (iii) documents which NIC and/or NFC and the depositary believe to be genuine.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        The following description of the warrants and terms of the warrant agreement is a summary. It summarizes only those aspects of the warrants and those portions of the warrant agreement which we believe will be most important to your decision to invest in NIC's and/or NFC's warrants. You should keep in mind, however, that it is the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to the warrants, and not this summary, which defines your rights as a warrantholder. There may be other provisions in the warrant agreement and the warrant certificate relating to the warrants which are also important to you. You should read these documents for a full description of the terms of the warrants. Forms of these documents are filed as exhibits to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.

        NIC and/or NFC may issue from time to time warrants for the purchase of their debt securities and NIC may issue from time to time warrants for the purchase of its common stock, preferred stock, preference stock or units of two or more of these types of securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be, and may be attached to or separate from these securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement that we will describe in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants that are offered.

Debt Warrants

        We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of warrants to purchase debt securities that NIC and/or NFC may offer, the warrant agreement relating to the debt warrants and the warrant certificates representing the debt warrants. These terms will include the following:


        We will also describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any provisions for a change in the exercise price or the expiration date of the debt warrants and the kind, frequency and timing of any notice to be given. You may exchange debt warrant certificates for new debt warrant certificates of

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different denominations and may exercise debt warrants at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office that we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Other Warrants

        NIC may issue other warrants. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the following terms of those warrants:

        We will also describe in the applicable prospectus supplement any provisions for a change in the exercise price or the expiration date of the warrants and the kind, frequency and timing of any notice to be given. You may exchange warrant certificates for new warrant certificates of different denominations and may exercise warrants at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office that we indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Exercise of Warrants

        Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the principal amount of debt securities or shares of common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, as the case may be, at the exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered in the applicable prospectus supplement. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

        Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, NIC and/or NFC will, as soon as practicable, forward the debt securities and/or NIC will forward the shares of common stock, preferred stock or preference stock to be purchased upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by a warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.

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        Prior to the exercise of any warrants to purchase debt securities or shares of common stock, preferred stock or preference stock, holders of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities or the shares of common stock, preferred stock or preference stock purchasable upon exercise, including:

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DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

        NIC and/or NFC may issue from time to time purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from them and obligating them to sell to the holders, debt securities or other securities that may be sold under this prospectus at a future date or dates, as the case may be. NIC may issue from time to time purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from them and obligating them to sell to the holders, shares of common stock, preferred stock, preference stock or any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus at a future date or dates, as the case may be. The consideration payable upon settlement of the purchase contracts, as well as the principal amount of debt securities or number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, preference stock or other securities deliverable upon settlement, may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by a formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a purchase contract and other securities or obligations issued by NIC and/or NFC or third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, in each case, securing the holders' obligations to purchase the relevant securities under the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may require NIC and/or NFC to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts or units or vice versa, and such payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the purchase contracts in a specified manner and, in certain circumstances, NIC and/or NFC may deliver newly issued prepaid purchase contracts, often known as prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder's obligations under the original purchase contract.

        The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts or purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid securities. The description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, relating to the purchase contracts or purchase units and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the document pursuant to which the prepaid securities will be issued.

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

        NIC and/or NFC may issue from time to time units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

        Any applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        NIC may sell any series of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, preference stock, depository shares, warrants, purchase contracts and units being offered, and/or NFC may sell any series of debt securities, depository shares, warrants, purchase contracts and units being offered, directly to one or more purchasers, through agents, to or through underwriters or dealers, or through a combination of any such methods of sale. The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at fixed prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. NIC and/or NFC may offer and sell securities from time to time to certain of Navistar's pension plans. The prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering, including the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price of such securities and the proceeds to NIC and/or NFC from such sale, any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters' or agents' compensation, any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or paid to dealers or any securities exchange on which such securities may be listed. Any initial public offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

        Any discounts, concessions or commissions received by underwriters or agents and any profits on the resale of securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and such underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities, if any are purchased. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

        NIC and/or NFC may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by NIC and/or NFC or borrowed from them or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from NIC and/or NFC in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

        Under certain circumstances, NIC and/or NFC may repurchase offered securities and reoffer them to the public as set forth above. NIC and/or NFC may also arrange for repurchase and resale of such offered securities by dealers.

        NIC and/or NFC may also offer and sell securities, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more firms referred to as remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for NIC and/or NFC. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with NIC and/or NFC and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the securities they remarket.

        NIC and/or NFC may authorize underwriters, dealers or other persons acting as agents for them to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from NIC and/or NFC pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment

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companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by NIC and/or NFC. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the conditions that the purchase of the offered securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts.

        In connection with the offering of securities, NIC and/or NFC may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments at the initial public offering price, with an additional underwriting commission, as may be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement. If NIC and/or NFC grant any over-allotment option, the terms of such over-allotment option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such securities.

        The securities may be a new issue of securities that have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Such securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any securities.

        NIC and/or NFC may indemnify agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or NIC's and/or NFC's agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be entitled to contribution with respect to payments that such parties may be required to make in respect thereof. Their agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms, or their affiliates, may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for NIC and/or NFC, in the ordinary course of business.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Chicago, Illinois (a partnership which includes professional corporations).


EXPERTS

        The financial statements and the related financial statement schedules incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference to the Annual Reports of Navistar International Corporation and Navistar Financial Corporation on Forms 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2003 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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Table of contents
Prospectus Supplement
Prospectus
About this prospectus supplement
Summary
Our company
The offering
Risk factors
Industry data
Additional information
Summary consolidated financial data
Supplemental financial and operating data
Risk factors
Forward-looking statements
Use of proceeds
Capitalization
Management
Description of the notes
Description of other financing arrangements
Certain arrangements with NFC
United States federal income tax considerations
Underwriting
Legal matters
Experts
Incorporation by reference and delivery of certain documents
Where you can find additional information
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
NAVISTAR FILINGS
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
THE COMPANIES
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
USE OF PROCEEDS
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF NIC
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
LEGAL MATTERS
EXPERTS