Cat-branded truck to be available in 2011

---

Caterpillar Inc. and Navistar International Corp. announced last month they had signed a definitive agreement to produce Caterpillar heavy-duty vocational trucks for sale in North America and had formed a 50/50 joint venture to pursue commercial truck opportunities outside of North America and India. The agreement, which is subject to regulatory approval, finalizes a planned alliance announced in June 2008.

The new Caterpillar trucks, to be unveiled in late 2010, will be co-developed by Caterpillar and Navistar and built at Navistar’s facility in Garland, Texas. They will be sold and serviced exclusively through the Caterpillar North American dealer network.The North American truck deal is subject to various closing conditions, including the execution of the related strategic alliance agreement and certain other ancillary agreements, the companies said.

The Caterpillar-branded trucks are expected to go into production in early 2011 – a timeframe that coincidentally parallels the expected availability of Navistar’s MaxxForce 15 engine, for which Caterpillar will supply blocks, cranks, heads and other foundation components. Caterpillar announced in June 2008 – simultaneous with the initial announcement of the Navistar strategic alliance – that it will not market its own on-highway heavy-duty diesel engine once the next round of emissions regulations kick in Jan. 1, 2010.

In a conference call with journalists, Navistar and Caterpillar officials gave few details of the new Cat truck. It will feature an all-aluminum cab and will incorporate some components and systems proprietary to Caterpillar. The engine also will be badged as Caterpillar but will be built by Navistar. And the transmission options are expected to be the Caterpillar CX and Allison.
– Avery Vise

---

Peterbilt 384 lands SmartWay status
Peterbilt announced that the Model 384 has joined Models 387 and 386 in certification as fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program.

The Model 384 is equipped with Peterbilt’s new proprietary Aero Package combining a roof fairing and trim tabs, a sleeper roof transition, enhanced chassis fairings, an aero battery/tool box, a composite sunvisor, a 3-inch sleeper extender and aerodynamic mirrors.