International rolls out new truck models

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Feb. 14, 2001) — International Truck and Engine Corp. today launched its new International 4000, 7000 and 8000 Series, complete replacements for the truck maker’s venerable 2000 severe-duty, 4000 medium-duty, and 8000 heavy-duty model lines.

International is marketing the new vehicles as “High Performance” trucks developed for specific types of work.

The International 4000 Series is designed for pickup and delivery, utility, beverage, recovery, and emergency service vocations. Production begins in early April.

The International 8500 tractor is designed for regional operations and will be available for order in May, with full production in October.

The International 7000 Series is designed for severe-service applications such as construction, government, and waste. It will be available for order this summer, and will go into full production in December.

A low cabover medium-duty designated the LFE is due for launch in 2004.

Available engines start with the International DT 466 and DT 530 mid-range diesels (formerly called DT 466E and 530E). A new powertrain option includes “Intuitive Shifting” controllers — specially engineered combinations of International I-6 engines and Allison automatic transmissions with shift schedules programmed to respond to driver input and vehicle load for optimum engine performance in every application.

“From this point on, we will roll out new models of our High Performance truck line every few months for the next several years,” said Steve Keate, president, truck group, International. “This is truly a new class of truck designed to perform on a higher level and built to deliver true, quantifiable value.”

The new model program has been nearly five years in development and will cost the company more than $900 million US.