International Truck and Engine is introducing a Class 8 tractor for 2007 that will replace its 9400i, company officials said.
International will unveil the truck to the public at the 2006 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. Fleets are testing eight units now in North America and reporting “wonderfully successful” results, officials said in a teleconference Wednesday, Sept. 7.
The truck will have aerodynamic design and be marketed primarily toward International’s current primary base of small and medium-size fleets.
It will be available with Cummins and Caterpillar engines and, soon after its launch, International’s new big-bore engine, all in compliance with 2007 emissions standards. The horsepower and other engine specs of the International engine are not being made available yet, said Jacob Thomas, vice president of the big-bore division.
The truck will be produced as a daycab and a sleeper available in two lengths.
“Our customers and dealers see real value in our new tractor,” said Tom Baughman, vice president and general manager of the company’s Heavy Truck Vehicle Center. “We’re excited about their enthusiastic response.”
Manufactured in Ontario, the truck will begin shipping in early 2007, International said.
The truck’s other highlights, according to International, include:
Though the truck eventually will replace the 9400i and the 9200i, there will be some product overlap during introduction. The company has no plans to replace its premium tractors, the 9900i and the Eagle 9900ix, officials said.
