Mayer, Brown & Platt 190 SOUTH LA SALLE STREET CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60603-3441 May 22, 2001 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated as Representative of the Several Underwriters and as the Agent 250 Vesey Street World Financial Center North Tower New York, New York 10281-1310 Re: CNH Equipment Trust 2001-A -------------------------- Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as special Federal tax counsel for CNH Equipment Trust 2001-A, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), in connection with the issuance and sale of Class A-1 Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-1 Notes"), Class A-2 Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-2 Notes"), Class A-3 Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-3 Notes"), Class A-4 Asset Backed Notes (the "Class A-4 Notes") and Class B Asset Backed Notes (the "Class B Notes"; together with the Class A-1 Notes, the Class A-2 Notes, the Class A-3 Notes and the Class A-4 Notes, the "Notes"), to be issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2001 (the "Indenture"), between the Trust and Bank One, National Association, as Indenture Trustee. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in the Sale and Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2001 (the "Sale and Servicing Agreement"), among the Trust, as Issuer, CNH Capital Receivables Inc. ("CNHCR"), as Seller, and Case Credit Corporation ("Case Credit"), as the Servicer. In that connection, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of this opinion, including: (a) the Prospectus, dated May 7, 2001 (the "Prospectus"), and the Prospectus Supplement (to the Prospectus), dated May 9, 2001 (the "Prospectus Supplement"), relating to the Notes, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (b) the NH Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2001, between New Holland Credit Company, LLC and CNHCR, (c) the Case Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2001, between Case Credit and CNHCR, (d) the Sale and Servicing Agreement, (e) the Trust Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2001, (the "Trust Agreement"), between CNHCR, as Depositor, and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Trustee"), (f) the Indenture and (g) specimens of the Notes. The opinion set forth in this letter is based on reasoning from legal principles based on the relevant provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the legislative history thereof, currently applicable Treasury regulations, judicial decisions, administrative rulings and such other authorities as we have considered relevant. There can be no assurance that the opinions expressed below could not be successfully challenged by the Internal Revenue Service, or significantly altered by legislative changes, changes in administrative positions or judicial decisions, any of which may be applied retroactively with respect to the completed transactions. Any such change could render the affected provisions of this opinion inoperative. No tax rulings will be sought from the IRS with respect to any of the matters discussed herein. Based upon the foregoing, we hereby confirm that: (i) the statements set forth in the Prospectus under the heading "U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences" and in the Prospectus Supplement under the heading "Summary of Terms--Tax Status" (to the extent relating to Federal income tax consequences) accurately reflect our opinion; (ii) the statements set forth in the Prospectus under the heading "Illinois State Tax Consequences" and in the Prospectus Supplement under the heading "Summary of Terms--Tax Status" (to the extent relating to Illinois state income tax consequences) accurately reflect our opinion; and (iii) the statements set forth in the Prospectus under the heading "ERISA Considerations" and in the Prospectus Supplement under the headings "ERISA Considerations" and "Summary of Terms--ERISA Considerations" accurately reflect our opinion. Very truly yours, /s/ Mayer, Brown & Platt RFH:TMM:EHU