CHICAGO, May 24 (Reuters) - Boeing Co will retain the ability to re-engine the current model of its hot-selling 737 narrowbody if the company is unable to produce a completely redesigned version, Chief Executive Jim McNerney said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the company's meeting with investors in Seattle, McNerney said he expects technological breakthroughs that will enable a redesigned version that would be a big improvement over the existing design.
A redesigned plane would take longer to bring to market but would provide greater fuel efficiency.
Boeing has said its customers are calling for an all-new plane. But rival Airbus has said it would put a new engine in its competing A320 aircraft.
'We are going to retain the ability to re-engine if this new airplane doesn't come together over the next nine months or so as we think it will,' McNerney told analysts at the webcast meeting.
McNerney, who expects a redesign, said Boeing is evaluating how big the next 737 should be. 'As we think about it right now, it may be modestly bigger.'
(Reporting by Kyle Peterson; Editing by Tim Dobbyn) Keywords: BOEING/ (kyle.peterson@thomsonreuters.com ; +1 312 408 8581; Reuters Messaging: kyle.peterson.reuters.com@reuters.net ) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Speaking at the company's meeting with investors in Seattle, McNerney said he expects technological breakthroughs that will enable a redesigned version that would be a big improvement over the existing design.
A redesigned plane would take longer to bring to market but would provide greater fuel efficiency.
Boeing has said its customers are calling for an all-new plane. But rival Airbus has said it would put a new engine in its competing A320 aircraft.
'We are going to retain the ability to re-engine if this new airplane doesn't come together over the next nine months or so as we think it will,' McNerney told analysts at the webcast meeting.
McNerney, who expects a redesign, said Boeing is evaluating how big the next 737 should be. 'As we think about it right now, it may be modestly bigger.'
(Reporting by Kyle Peterson; Editing by Tim Dobbyn) Keywords: BOEING/ (kyle.peterson@thomsonreuters.com ; +1 312 408 8581; Reuters Messaging: kyle.peterson.reuters.com@reuters.net ) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
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