Saved By the Bell: International wraps up ’07 educational sessions

WARRENVILLE, Ill. — International Truck and Engine Corp. has completed the final educational session of a 16-week-long drive that helped prepare more than 2,000 North American customers for the impact of tougher EPA engine emissions control that take effect Jan. 1, 2007.

The effort, conducted in several major cities from Atlanta to Toronto, represents the first leg in the company’s 2007 Emissions Customer Education Campaign.

“We were out in front on the emissions-control issue — in terms of technology innovation and product testing, as well as industry education — because we know its significance for our customers,” said Dee Kapur, president of the truck group. “This campaign represents a key step in our ongoing drive, in conjunction with our suppliers and our dealer network, to share the information customers need about the emissions issue itself and International’s solutions so that they can make informed decisions for their business.”

The campaign shares emissions-related information through face-to-face customer events, training seminars, Webcasts, video, literature and other educational approaches.

This initial phase was designed to inform customers about the estimated vehicle-price increases announced last fall and to increase understanding of the compliance technologies involved. Facilitators for the program explained that price increases for 2007 vehicles reflect the cost for engines, as well as after-treatment equipment, integration into the vehicle and all necessary certifications.

In conjunction with the 16-week long effort, International has also trained more than 700 dealership sales personnel to ensure that small to medium-sized businesses understand the regulations. When dealer training concludes in late June, more than 1,000 sales associates in 13 cities in the U.S. and Canada will have gone through the sessions, titled “Clearing the Air on 2007 Emissions.”