Overhead Damage: How Not to Make a Convertible Out of Your Truck or Trailer!

November 27, 2024 | Safety | By Tri-County International Trucks

Here are some tips for drivers to prevent this type of damage:

  • When you call your customer for directions to their facility, keep in mind that the person giving you directions drives there every day in a car. They may not realize that the bridges and overpasses you will encounter might not be high enough for your truck. Specifically ask if the directions they provided are on a truck route and if there are any low clearances. Regardless of the information you receive, proceed with caution, as you are the one responsible for any damage caused.
  • Overhead clearances are often posted in advance of most underpasses and tunnels, but be aware that new asphalt may have been laid on the road, reducing clearance by a couple of inches. Stay alert for road construction near underpasses, bridges, and tunnels.
  • Just because other trucks are passing through doesn't mean your truck will fit under the bridge, tunnel, etc.
  • If a marked or unmarked overpass looks low, slow down immediately, turn on your four-way flashers, and carefully approach the overpass. Stop and check your actual clearance.
  • Many bridges and overpasses are not perfectly straight; the sides are often lower than the center. If possible, cross under in the inside lane.
  • If you can, check the road elevation on the other side of the bridge. A sharp incline or decline could cause trouble. You may fit under the bridge while entering, but as you exit, the body or trailer could be pushed up into the bridge due to the change in road elevation.
  • In winter, snow and ice on the roadway can reduce the clearance enough to cause damage.
  • If you find you cannot proceed through a low overhead and traffic is congested around you, it’s better to call the police for assistance in backing out of the situation. Backing against traffic to maneuver could cause an accident.

International S13 Integrated Powertrain Hits the Road for Interactive Training Tour

July 24, 2024 | Events | By Tri-County International Trucks

The International S13 Integrated Powertrain Mobile Training Tour began on April 2 and will visit Tri-County International Trucks on August 20. To date, the trailers have visited more than 48 dealer locations, trained more than 486 sales professionals, and educated more than 1,311 customers.

Doug Bradley on the Sales Enablement team was the key architect behind the S13 trailer tour with input and support from numerous stakeholders across Navistar. The preparation for the tour began in 2022 and encompassed:

  1. Designing and selecting a vendor to build the trailers.
  2. Selecting drivers and facilitators.
  3. Developing the learning content and training facilitators.
  4. Managing the logistics to visit more than 100 locations across North America.

During the customer portion of the ongoing training, a mix of fleet owners, state and municipal highway superintendents and technicians, dealers, and other customers are given the chance to explore the advanced powertrain and its components hands-on.

When walking through the training trailers, various components of the S13 engine, T14 transmission, and dual-stage aftertreatment system are highlighted so customers and dealer sales professionals could learn more about the intentional design of the powertrain. International subject matter experts and sales professionals are on-hand to provide interactive training exercises for dealer sales professionals and fleet end users. And the key part of it all is that at some locations customers had the chance to get behind the wheel and experience the powertrain’s performance first-hand.

Dealer Sales Professionals Weigh In

Since the start of the tour, Navistar’s Sales Enablement team has been collecting feedback from International dealer principals and sales professionals. Overall, dealers are very satisfied with the training, noting that the tour is a positive representation of both their dealerships and Navistar. They also indicated that the training equipped them with the information needed to inform customers about the benefits of the S13 Integrated Powertrain.

Pliler International, for instance, said: “We really enjoyed the training/trainers/trailer, etc. All the guys received great takeaways, gave them confidence to sell the product, and generated some excitement behind the new powertrain. Also, it proved to be extremely beneficial to showcase to the customers!”

A representative from Rechtien International Trucks said: "What I really like is the T14 transmission. It's going to crush competition product line, especially in the line-haul application."

Kyrish Truck Centers of Houston pointed out that they would have had more customers attend if they had a better understanding of how impactful the training was going to be. This is the “best training that Navistar has had in years,” according to Kyrish.

Waters Truck and Tractor in Columbus, Mississippi, provided some constructive feedback, calling for better planning, communication, and coordination among the trainers and back-office staff.

“There was some disconnect in communication between back-office staff and the dealership and the trainers. It worked out, but that could have been better,” Waters noted.

“I liked that it was hands-on training, that we weren't just watching a slideshow or a video,” Waters added. “I like how the instructors kept it entertaining and informative. The component breakdown was very helpful.”

Customers Tout Fuel Efficiency, Performance

During one stop at International dealer Arkel Motors in New Windsor, New York, current and potential customers in the area stopped by the dealership to explore the S13 Integrated training trailer and have their questions answered. Arkel Motors is an authorized, full-service International dealer located in the southeastern part of the state. The dealership carries the complete line of new International trucks, tractors, and chassis, as well as a full inventory of used trucks, full-service leasing, and rental trucks.

Keith Watts, a third-party consultant for Navistar, who helps facilitate training events like last summer’s S13 Bootcamp, and is one of four facilitators assigned to the S13 Training Trailer Tour, has ensured the training is consistent on both units going around North America. Keith explained that the point of this training is to educate the sales professionals on the components of the S13 engine, T14 transmission and dual-stage aftertreatment, and how these components contribute to superior operating economy, stellar performance, simplicity, and serviceability. This information helps sales professionals develop talking points based on their customers' “hot button” needs and enhance their credibility when talking to current and prospective customers.

“It’s about pulling off valve covers and explaining to people along the tour why we don’t have certain parts anymore,” Keith said. “They are seeing what we have simplified and why.”

“The S13 Integrated powertrain is new to this market, but not the world,” Keith added. “Truckers here know that Scania is synonymous with quality, and I am hearing them embrace this powertrain.”

One International customer who attended the Arkel Motors event is Dane Mannese. Dane owns Mannese Distribution in Milton, New York, and runs a fleet of International HX 520 Series trucks that haul general freight across five states in the Northeastern part of the U.S. Mannese’s less-than-truckload freight operations generally run about 85,000 lb. of loaded weight every day.

This summer, Dane ran the Arkel Motors rental LT equipped with the S13 Integrated Powertrain to compare with the fuel usage he sees in his current fleet powered by a competitor’s engines. He was immediately impressed by the early fuel savings he experienced with the S13 Integrated Powertrain.

“We run the same lanes and I see the report at the end of every day,” Dane said. “When my drivers leave, my computer tells me how many miles the truck had on it. And when they fill up, the computer tells me how many miles the truck has. I get immediate reports to my phone, and when I saw the S13 numbers, I texted my Arkel rental representative and said, ‘I think something’s wrong. This truck is getting 8.8 MPG today.’ Then, I ran it again the next day and it got 9 MPG.”

Dane added that a typical run to Allentown, Pennsylvania, from Milton, New York, takes 43 gallons of diesel for every truck in his fleet. With the S13 Integrated, the run took just 28 gallons.

When it comes to purchasing, however, although Dane said he is impressed with the fuel savings the S13 Integrated Powertrain delivers, he needs to make sure that savings will outweigh vehicle depreciation when it comes to resale value or any other potential loss that can occur on the backend.

“I’m curious about what International is offering for the S13 warranty,” Dane said. “My fleet doesn’t do all that much mileage, so we have been doing the Cummins six-year, 600,000-mile warranties. We have been selling the truck after about four years, with a little more than 200,000 miles on the warranty left for the resale. Someone is more apt to buy a four-year-old truck with 200,000 miles still covered than they are with a truck that’s got no miles covered.”

Although Dane had already tested the S13 Integrated Powertrain, he attended the mobile training tour at Arkel Motors to learn more about vocational offerings and warranties for the product.

Another potential customer, James Vananden, owner-operator of JVE Trucking, was also interested in spec’ing the S13 Integrated Powertrain for the HX Series. He hauls products like stone and topsoil via a 48-ft. drop-deck flatbed and needs the power the HX 520 offers. That said, James tested the rental LT to see what the S13 Integrated Powertrain was all about.

“I’ve been at this 37 years and I am set in my ways,” James said. “I have driven them all—name an engine. That truck right there [he pointed to the LT equipped with the S13 Integrated Powertrain]—it’s the engine and transmission combined—I have never driven anything in my life with an engine brake that good. Ever.”

Tri-County International Trucks Service Advisor Katheryn Mitchell Receives Navistar's March 2024 Service of Excellence Award

April 1, 2024 | News | By Tri-County International Trucks

 

Kathy

Katheryn started as a cashier at Tri-County International Trucks. She did so well with the customers at the front office that she was transitioned to service administrator, and recently was promoted to service advisor. She now handles all big accounts, along with Idealease of Detroit/Flint. She does all of the Cummins and International warranties and can look up parts for technicians.

Most of the large customers will only call Katheryn on her cell phone. They love the communication level she has with them, so much so that she has received Excellent Service in all the customer reviews. If we cannot get a part, she takes the initiative to contact their service departments to see if they can help expedite getting the truck repaired in a timely manner. She has stepped up as our top service advisor. Large fleet customers come to her for her knowledge of truck issues; she knows a lot about the trucks due to doing all of the warranties for Cummins and International. Customers only want to talk to her, and most of the trust is due to the continuous communication she has with the customers all day long. Katheryn takes care of most of the 360 documentation daily to keep her customers aware. She is willing to stay in constant contact with management via e-mail or face-to-face on all the situations that she has going on with the customers so that we stay in the loop.

She is a team player, she is willing to help anyone in the office, and she is willing to help when the afternoon service advisor takes a vacation. She helps the parts department as well as any of the techs who need her to look up warranties or parts if they are busy. Tri-County International Trucks is lucky to have Katheryn on the team.

HX Series Top 50 Products

May 12, 2021 | Trucks | By Tri-County International Trucks

When we set out to build the next great International® severe-duty truck, we knew we had to start from the beginning. To look beyond what was needed, to deliver beyond what was expected.

From the ground up, the HX™ Series was designed and engineered to endure the most punishing of jobsites. Built to take on whatever challenges you could throw at it, and to look great while doing it.

Every consideration - from its huck-bolted frame and three-piece Metton hood, to the spacious DriverFirst™ inspired cab and exceptional power options - has been made, tested and proven to perform well past class-leading standards. Bringing unmatched uptime, durability and driver comfort to any work site.

Now our commitment to building the best severe-duty truck on the market has been recognized by equipment owners and end users as one of Equipment Today Contractor's Top 50 products for 2016.

Navistar's Parts Distribution Centers Top Industry's Best Three Years Running

May 11, 2021 | Navistar | By Tri-County International Trucks

Lisle, Ill. (May 11, 2020) – Two of Navistar International Corporation’s (NYSE: NAV) parts distribution centers have been awarded Top Performing Warehouse recognitions by industry solutions advisor Carlisle & Co.

 

The Edmonton, Alberta Parts Distribution Center (PDC) topped the list of Top Performing Warehouses in the Truck and Heavy Equipment category for the past three years. The Queretaro, Mexico PDC was named third-place honoree, ranking within the top three Top Performing Warehouses for the third consecutive year.

 

“We are extremely proud of our PDC teams in Edmonton and Queretaro,” said Charles Lester, director, North American Distribution, Navistar. “For these two PDCs to be recognized as the elite Top Performing Warehouses for the past three years showcases Navistar’s dedication to our uptime promise, ensuring customers are at the center of everything we do.”

 

Carlisle & Co.’s metrics-driven Top Performing Warehouse Awards recognize warehouses that perform in the top of their class to provide high quality parts availability to their customers in an efficient and productive manner.

 

“It’s an extreme honor to have our PDCs continuously recognized by Carlisle & Co. as the Truck and Heavy Equipment industry’s best,” said Josef Kory, senior vice president, Parts, Navistar. “The Navistar parts business is honored to serve our customers in the best ways possible and is committed to discovering solutions to further improve parts availability and enhance total cost of ownership.”

 

About Navistar

Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.

 

All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

 

# # #

For further information: Media contact: Bre Whalen, Breana.Whalen@Navistar.com, 331-332-3056 Investor contact: Marty Ketelaar, Marty.Ketelaar@Navistar.com, 331-332-2706 Web site: Navistar.com/News

Navistar Shares Vision Of Opportunity For Service Technicians

February 9, 2021 | Navistar | By Tri-County International Trucks

LISLE, Ill., Feb. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) and its International® dealer network are building momentum through their TECH EmPOWERment initiative, which is supplying accredited technical schools with valuable training equipment, real-world advisory counsel and insights into the opportunities available to aspiring technicians.

 

The program's new website, www.internationaltrucks.com/support/tech-empowerment, shares valuable information on the great career opportunities available to service technicians in the transportation industry. The site provides information on becoming a technician; applying to dealership jobs; dealer/school partnerships; and military recruitment placement, including the company's Service Allies initiative.

 

"We're excited about the accelerating pace of equipment donations and other support that Navistar and our dealer network are providing to qualified technical schools nationwide," said Ana Salcido, manager, Technician Recruitment, Navistar. "This new website complements that support with useful information aimed at those entering the workforce, showcasing the opportunities and benefits of this profession."

 

The site includes statistics and information about this career path, as well as testimonials from service managers, instructors and service technicians. The site also offers recent graduates and qualified technicians the opportunity to search and apply directly for open service positions throughout the International® truck and IC Bus® dealer networks.

 

On top of the new website, Salcido cited the accelerating pace of dealer equipment donations to participating technical schools in recent months. During the fourth quarter of Navistar's 2020 fiscal year, donations were made to four educational institutions:

"In all, nine institutions received donations during fiscal 2020," Salcido said.

 

During the first quarter of the company's 2021 fiscal year, donations have already been made to 10 institutions, including:

Building on this commitment to technical schools, Salcido cited the importance of getting the word out to a new generation of technicians and potential technicians.

 

"Our Navistar 4.0 business strategy includes a strong commitment to customer uptime, and we know that having skilled technicians in the service department is a key component of that uptime promise," Salcido said. "The new TECH EmPOWERment site will drive more recruitment to the company's dealer network, educating prospective technicians about the benefits of working at any of over 700 International® truck and IC Bus® dealer locations."

 

Visit www.InternationalTrucks.com/dealernetwork to find a nearby dealer.

 

About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.

 

All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Navistar International Corporation

For further information: Media contact: Bre Whalen, Breana.Whalen@Navistar.com, 331-332-3056, Investor contact: Marty Ketelaar, Marty.Ketelaar@Navistar.com, 331-332-2706, Web site: Navistar.com/News

International® Truck Adds Enhanced Driver Safety Capabilities

December 15, 2020 | Navistar | By Tri-County International Trucks

Lisle, Ill. (December 15, 2020) – International® Truck, the commercial truck brand of Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV), now offers enhanced features of the Bendix® Wingman® Fusion™ collision mitigation system on the International® LT® Series, RH™ Series, MV™ Series, HV™ Series and HX™ Series.

 

“Our DriverFirst™ philosophy drives us to continually improve product features that matter most to our customers, and safety is always a significant concern,” said Charles Chilton, vice president of Navistar’s Product Strategy and Planning function. “With our shared commitment to the driver, vehicle and highway safety, we’re proud to advance the safety features available on our products in collaboration with Bendix. By putting drivers in trucks equipped with safety aids, we are all contributing to a safer transportation network, from which everyone will benefit.”

 

Enhanced Fusion Offered as Standard on International® LT® Series, RH™ Series

 

Upgrading from the earlier generation of Fusion as standard equipment on the International LT® Series and RH™ Series, the enhanced Fusion system delivers:

  • Enhanced collision mitigation and stationary vehicle braking;
  • Multilane automatic emergency braking;
  • Highway departure braking; and
  • Enhanced Adaptive Cruise Control.

The enhanced Wingman Fusion system now has the capacity to apply increased braking power on the tractor and trailer when compared to the original Fusion system. It also retains the capabilities of the system’s earlier versions, such as stationary object alerts, overspeed alerts and intervention, lane departure warning, and prioritized alerts to help reduce driver distraction.

 

Further advancing available driver safety options on its heavy-duty lineup, International has also added the updated optional Bendix® BlindSpotter® Side Object Detection System features for the LT® Series and RH™ Series. International has enhanced the optional Blindspotter system through improved integration with the vehicle’s controller area network. With this new integration, the updated BlindSpotter system provides a wider, 150-degree range of coverage, which is capable of detecting objects up to 20 feet in front of and 20 feet behind the BlindSpotter radar. The coverage zone extends up to 10 feet to the right of the vehicle.

 

By operating in two modes – highway speeds and lower speeds – the updated Blindspotter system has an increased ability to filter stationary objects like guardrails at highway speeds, and narrows the range for alerts without filtering stationary objects or infrastructure at speeds less than 20 mph. The updated BlindSpotter system maintains the look, size, position and mounting hardware of its radar and in-cab display units.

 

Additional Driver-Friendly Options Available on International® LT®, RH™ Series

 

Building on these safety benefits are two new systems offered as optional on both the International® LT® and International® RH™ Series: Bendix® Wingman® Fusion™ with ACB (Active Cruise with Braking) Stop and Driver Go, and Lane Keep Assist.

 

International now becomes the only OEM to offer Bendix Wingman Fusion with ACB Stop and Driver Go. This system includes the benefits of Wingman Fusion with enhanced features, and ACB Stop and Driver Go which allows for Adaptive Cruise Control to remain active down to low vehicle speeds, including full stop. Once at stop, if the driver applies throttle and reaches 7 miles per hour, the system can re-accelerate the vehicle to the cruise control set speed, provided there is no object detected ahead.

 

“ACB Stop and Driver Go is a driver-satisfying feature in heavy stop-and-go traffic, while the Comfort Braking that is another enhancement of the system provides smoother application of the foundation brakes,” Chilton said.

 

Another optional system being offered on the International® LT® and International® RH™ Series is Lane Keep Assist, which supports the driver with assisted steering torque to remain within the lane of travel when a pending unintended lane departure is recognized. The system’s active steering functionality dynamically adjusts steering effort based on vehicle speed, allowing lighter steering at low speeds to aid in maneuvering in parking lot situations, and heaver/firmer steering at higher speed to aid in control of the vehicle. The system – built on an existing Sheppard® steering gear that is already standard on many Navistar® vehicles - also includes compensation to counter cross winds or road crowning, steering wheel return-to-center assist, and active damping to reduce steering wheel oscillations and improve feel. Hanover, Pennsylvania-based R.H. Sheppard Co. Inc. was acquired by Bendix in June 2020.

 

Navistar and Bendix agree that their safety technologies complement safe driving practices and are not intended to enable or encourage inattentive or aggressive driving. No commercial vehicle safety technology replaces a skilled, alert driver exercising safe driving techniques and proactive, comprehensive driver training. Responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle remains with the driver at all times.

 

For more information on International’s product lineup or to locate a dealer, visit internationaltrucks.com.

 

About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a member of Knorr-Bremse, develops and supplies leading-edge active safety technologies, energy management solutions, and air brake charging and control systems and components under the Bendix® brand name for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, buses, and other commercial vehicles throughout North America. An industry pioneer, employing more than 4,100 people, Bendix is driven to deliver solutions for improved vehicle safety, performance, and overall operating cost. Contact us at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725) or visit bendix.com. Stay connected and informed through Bendix expert podcasts, blog posts, videos, and other resources at knowledge-dock.com. Follow Bendix on Twitter at twitter.com/Bendix_CVS. Log on and learn from the Bendix experts at brake-school.com. And to learn more about career opportunities at Bendix, visit bendix.com/careers.

 

About Navistar

Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.

 

All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

International Raises The Bar On Connectivity With Intelligent Fleet Care

November 30, 2020 | Navistar | By Tri-County International Trucks

LISLE, Ill., Nov. 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- International® Truck, the commercial truck brand of Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV), has launched Intelligent Fleet Care, the industry's most comprehensive standard suite of connected vehicle solutions, which will be standard for its new on-highway vehicles ordered starting December 15.

 

"We are committed to incorporating proactive and predictive maintenance tools into our daily operations to improve uptime and reduce costs," said Tony Wahl, Director of Equipment Purchasing, Werner Enterprises. "Intelligent Fleet Care is already delivering results in these areas. It shows the extensive partnership we've had with International, and the strong promise for our fleet management needs moving forward."

 

Intelligent Fleet Care builds on International's track record of connected vehicle leadership, established with the company's groundbreaking, all-makes OnCommand® Connection advanced remote diagnostics and its International® 360 service communications and fleet management platform. Along with these capabilities, Intelligent Fleet Care adds multiple solutions that are driven by vehicle performance and telematics data:

  • Fleet Health Monitoring that delivers greater uptime by helping fleets avoid roadside breakdowns and derate events.
  • Advanced Preventive Maintenance that delivers maintenance cost savings through more efficient preventive maintenance planning and fewer premature oil changes.
  • Advanced Fuel Analytics, a new premium tool that helps fleets identify opportunities for increased fuel efficiency through driver coaching.
  • Tire Pressure Monitor Reporting, a new premium tire pressure management solution that enables fleet- and driver-level visibility to TPMS data, helping to ensure that vehicles are being operated safely, with optimal fuel efficiency and longer tire life.
  • Over the Air Programming, which provides unlimited programmable parameter updates and enables vehicle software calibration updates without taking vehicles out of service.
  • Gateway Integrations, which enable the use of Navistar's factory-installed telematics device to provide access to select third-party fleet management tools of the customer's choice, saving up to $500 in upfront hardware costs.

All these data-driven solutions are included as standard for five years on new International® LT® Series, International® RH™ Series and International® LoneStar® models. Depending on the application, it's estimated that fleets can save over $12,000 per vehicle over those five years.

 

"With Intelligent Fleet Care, we are delivering what our fleet customers have told us they are looking for," said Chintan Sopariwala, vice president, Aftersales Operation & Connected Vehicle, Navistar. "They want actionable insights into the health status of their fleet and what needs to be done to keep it up. They want a faster, more efficient service and repair process. And along with this, they want predictive diagnostics and other solutions that enable them to optimize the fleet's performance. With Intelligent Fleet Care, they will now command all these benefits in one comprehensive package."

 

"Our commitment to our customers is to help them avoid breakdowns, drive greater uptime and lower total cost of ownership," said Chet Ciesielski, vice president, On-Highway Business, Navistar. "Intelligent Fleet Care delivers proactive and predictive tools that helps customers do this. It makes things visible, easy to understand and actionable."

 

Ciesielski cited four key differences in International's approach to connected technology and remote diagnostics that are reflected in International® Intelligent Fleet Care, including:

  • Serves all makes. International is the only OEM that provides a single-source view for all-makes fleets.
  • Most integrated. International is the first and only OEM that integrates data from more than 28 telematics providers.
  • Most customer-centric. International offers easy-to-use interfaces with tools that are built around how fleets operate, maintain and service their fleet.
  • Most comprehensive. International offers the industry's most complete set of connected solutions, which are standard for five years on new on-highway trucks.

Aftermarket subscriptions for Advanced Preventive Maintenance and Fleet Health Monitoring are available for existing vehicles as well. For more information, contact an International dealer or Navistar sales representative.

 

About Navistar

Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.

All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Navistar International Corporation

For further information: Media contact: Bre Whalen, Breana.Whalen@Navistar.com, 331-332-3056; Investor contact: Marty Ketelaar, Marty.Ketelaar@Navistar.com, 331-332-2706; Web site: Navistar.com/News

International Truck Launches The New International® HX® Series

November 17, 2020 | Trucks | By Tri-County International Trucks

LISLE, Ill., Nov. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, International Truck launched the new International® HX® Series, the next-generation of its HX Series vehicles. The new HX Series is the first product released under the company's Navistar 4.0 strategy and its Project Compass initiative – which focuses on flexible, modular design to meet customer needs, streamline the customer experience and deliver the very best support and service in the industry.

 

"The new HX Series represents our most comfortable, durable, technologically integrated and driver-focused Severe Service truck ever," said Mark Stasell, vice president, Vocational Truck, Navistar. "It is the physical representation of our Navistar 4.0 strategy – putting the customer at the center of everything we do."

 

The new HX Series is available in both a set-forward axle HX520 and a set-back axle HX620. Both vehicles are now available for order and deliveries will start early next year.

 

Extreme Duty Cab
The new HX Series features a redesigned cab that is designed and validated to perform in even the most punishing vocational applications. It comes with a durable three-piece hood that is crack-resistant, strong and specifically engineered to offer outstanding front-forward visibility. Backed by rigorous testing, the extreme duty cab is structurally reinforced in key locations to ensure long life and is now protected by ChemGuard, LineX and International Truck's own topcoat process making it nearly impenetrable to salt – all done with an intelligent design of high-strength steel, resulting in no weight penalty. Demonstrating the corrosion resistance of the cab, the new HX Series is backed by the confidence of a 10-year perforation warranty.

 

The new HX Series also comes with functional dual external air cleaners, offering increased filtration which is critical when running in dusty environments. All marker lights have been replaced with LEDs which provide superior nighttime visibility and safety while reducing the frequency of repair. To add your own personal touch, the new HX Series is easily customizable with optional stainless-steel visors, bright finish mirrors and additional stainless-steel options.

 

Inside, the focus was on the driver. The new extreme duty cab improves driver safety, comfort and productivity. To start, the overall cab size has been increased. With a focus on comfort, the cab now features best-in-class HVAC and larger power windows, creating a view with improved visibility.

 

The expanded cab also comes laid out with International Truck's newest and highest trim package Diamond Elite. Included in this package is a new line of premium heated and ventilated seats offering complete comfort at all times and allowing drivers to stay focused and effective. Integrated driver assist technology from Bendix also helps improve driver's awareness and safety.

 

"The cab interior is the driver's command center, so every inch needs to be attuned to their needs," said Stasell. "Designed directly from driver feedback, the new HX Series is built to be the most driver-oriented vehicle in your fleet."

 

Improved Performance
On a job site, maneuverability is paramount. For improved performance, the new HX Series is available with dual steering gears and advanced anti-lock braking systems that result in superior turning, traction and control. To help maximize your delivered payload, the HX620 also comes standard with the International® A26 engine, delivering up to 500 horsepower for top tier performance in a lightweight package.

 

The HX Series continues to offer an industry-leading, high strength 12.5" x 0.5" single rail frame option delivering 3.5M RBM, meaning it is capable of withstanding even the heaviest loads.

 

To further enhance performance, International Truck also includes a Huck-bolted frame and cross members on the chassis that minimize movement and wear, a wide range of factory-installed lift axles, and for the rare occasions a driver does get stuck, a front tow pin option rated up to 150,000 lbs.

 

Proven Partners
The new HX Series features proven component technology from key partners. Both the HX520 and HX620 models can be ordered with the Cummins® X15 engine, delivering the power to perform in a variety of ratings up to 605hp and 2,050 lb-ft of torque.

 

It also features the new Hendrickson HAULMAAX® HMX-EX Suspension, bringing improved reliability and increased job site ratings.

 

A wide range of steerable lift axles are also offered for the new HX Series. All lift axle combinations are available from the factory; most notably, International Truck now offers the option for all controls to be placed in the wing panel of the dashboard for improved ergonomics and quality appearance.

 

With a comprehensive offering of manual, automated manuals and automatic transmissions for any application, the new HX Series features the Eaton Fuller manual transmissions, Eaton Ultrashift® automated manual transmissions or the Allison 4000 Series Transmissions. The automated manual and automatic transmissions are controlled through International Truck's intuitive, driver-friendly stalk shifter control that allow the driver to keep their eyes on the job.

 

A Truly Connected Truck
To maximize uptime, International Truck has integrated the Diamond Logic® electrical system into the new HX Series. Diamond Logic offers fleets an integrated, easily programmable and customizable electrical system that operates directly from the dash. It decreases body installation labor, increases uptime and safety and allows drivers to operate the truck's body with unmatched confidence.

 

The new HX Series is supported through OnCommand® Connection – the company's real-time remote diagnostics system, offering the industry's most comprehensive portfolio of connected vehicle services. All HX Series customers will have visibility into the health of their fleet, making it easier to manage maintenance and repair. This technology allows International Truck and its service network to predict parts needs, so dealers have inventory on shelves where and when you need it.

 

The new HX Series is also backed by International® 360 – the service communications and fleet management platform that makes it easier than ever to seamlessly communicate with the International service network for fleets of all makes.

 

"Navistar 4.0 and Project Compass are focused on putting the customer at the center of everything that we do, and that customer focus is crystal clear in our brand new HX Series," said Friedrich Baumann, president, Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. "I can truly say without hesitation that the new HX Series is built entirely around our customers, designed to help them reach new levels of success."

 

About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial and military trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.
All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

 

SOURCE Navistar International Corporation

For further information: Media contact: Darwin Minnis, Darwin.Minnis@Navistar.com, 331-332-5243. Investor contact: Marty Ketelaar, Marty.Ketelaar@Navistar.com, 331-332-7206; Web site: www.Navistar.com/newsroom

Navistar Launches Service Allies Initiative with Dealer Network

November 11, 2020 | Navistar | By Tri-County International Trucks

“Veterans returning to the civilian workforce are well trained and highly experienced, and typically have many personal qualities our dealers are looking for, including drive, responsibility and the ability to get the job done,” said Joe Kory, Navistar senior vice president, Aftersales. “We believe this new initiative will provide a service to both these veterans and the dealers who are seeking qualified candidates.”

LISLE, Ill. (November 11, 2020) – Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV), a producer of International® brand commercial trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses, has launched the Service Allies Initiative, which will connect military veterans with career opportunities at International® Truck and IC Bus® dealers.

 

The initiative has the dual purpose of helping qualified military veterans who are seeking work in the civilian sector, and of combating the trucking industry’s chronic shortage of qualified service technicians and other highly trained professionals.

 

“Veterans returning to the civilian workforce are well trained and highly experienced, and typically have many personal qualities our dealers are looking for, including drive, responsibility and the ability to get the job done,” said Joe Kory, Navistar senior vice president, Aftersales. “We believe this new initiative will provide a service to both these veterans and the dealers who are seeking qualified candidates.”

 

Navistar’s Service Allies Initiative will be managed by the VetFirst Solutions Group, a leadership consulting and training firm that has strong qualifications for providing excellent connections between military veterans and the company’s dealer networks.

 

VetFirst has partnered with professional military associations and military bases to connect military veterans with International Truck and IC Bus dealers nationwide. The firm has also leveraged existing relationships with relevant organizations, including SFL-TAP (Soldier-for-Life – Transition Assistance Program), Base TSM (Transition Service Managers), the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Hiring Our Heroes” program to provide the connections needed.

 

The initiative is well positioned to offer multiple types of opportunities to qualified veterans, including:

  • Military Credit Program: This International® Truck accepted / approved service training and credit curriculum offers credit for certain levels of International Truck-required technician training given to military mechanics utilizing existing curriculum from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
  • Internships: Implementing veteran internships with military installations and International® Truck dealerships around the country allows service managers to start job shadowing up to 180 days from transition date at International® Truck dealerships, at no payroll cost to dealers for the internship. The program will coordinate with International Truck and the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program for internship approval and documentation.
  • Direct Placement: Some veterans may already be fully qualified service technicians, in which case the program may be able to place them directly with International® Truck and IC Bus® dealers, reducing training expense and increasing customer Uptime.

“We are excited by the opportunity to partner with our dealers to facilitate opportunities for the many highly qualified military veterans who are seeking jobs in the U.S.,” Kory said. “The trucking business is among the most military-friendly industries, and our dealers will welcome the chance to hire experienced technicians, while having the satisfaction of supporting veterans who have served their country by offering them a career.”

 

More information about the initiative may be found at www.internationaltrucks.com/support/tech-empowerment/military-program.

 

About Navistar

Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.

 

All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

Navistar Launches Dealer-Aligned Equipment Donation Program to Further Enrich Technician Training

June 8, 2020 | Navistar | By Tri-County International Trucks

Lisle, Ill. (June 8, 2020) – Combating the trucking industry’s growing technician shortage, Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) and its International® dealer network have launched a new integrated program to supply accredited technical schools with training equipment and real-world advisory counsel.

 

Navistar has a long history of donating International® trucks, engines and other equipment to technical schools nationwide. The new program builds on this foundation by engaging the company’s vast dealer network to donate vehicles, serve on school advisory committees that assist in curriculum development, and provide students with career opportunities.

 

“This new approach is aimed at combating the growing technician shortage by combining vehicle donations with the powerful insights of our dealer personnel,” said Ana Salcido, manager, Technician Recruitment, Navistar. “Our dealer network will grow their relationships with technical schools, enabling students to learn rapidly on pertinent equipment while also discovering a rewarding and lucrative career.”

 

Recent donations by International dealers include:

  • An International® ProStar®  to Western Technical College in La Crosse, Wisc., by DeBauche Truck & Diesel;
  • An International® WorkStar® to Mid-State Technical College, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc., by Mid-State Truck Service, Inc.;
  • And an International® ProStar+® 113 to Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, Wisc., by Mid-State Truck Service, Inc.

“Among our six Wisconsin-based locations, we actively participate in three local technical training programs and many high school shop courses,” said Scott Hoffman, director of service, Mid-State Truck Service, Inc. “Sustaining students’ career interest in becoming heavy-duty technicians is essential to our industry. We feel it’s our responsibility to help attract applicants to the field and provide them with proper technical training, relevant equipment and career opportunities.”

 

Ryan Kawski, dean of Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering and Transportation, Agriculture, Natural Resources & Construction at Mid-State Technical College, echoed the importance of a strong dealer relationship.

 

“Mid-State Truck Service has been a long-time member of the advisory committee for our Diesel & Heavy Equipment Technician programs,” Kawski said. “Their involvement ensures we’re properly preparing our students to best serve their future employer and, ultimately, the end customer.”

 

“Donations of late-model equipment keep our program relevant and competitive,” Kawski continued. “For example, the International WorkStar we received from Mid-State Truck Service has an automatic transmission and pneumatic disc brakes. Receiving this kind of costly equipment as a donation frees up funds for other needed program-related expenses.”

 

The demand for quality heavy-duty technicians is growing, and the supply of new entrants to the field has failed to meet current industry needs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians is projected to grow 4 percent from 2018 to 2028. In order to backfill for technicians who are reaching retirement age or leaving the industry, the TechForce Foundation estimates the need to fill more than 25,000 replacement positions annually from 2020 through 2022.

 

“Navistar and our dealer network are fully committed to customer uptime and having skilled technicians in the service department is a key component of that uptime promise,” said Salcido. “We’re thankful to be able to contribute to educational programs across the country that provide students with skills and certifications to achieve a meaningful and sought-after career.”

 

Visit www.InternationalTrucks.com/dealernetwork to find a nearby dealer.

 

About Navistar

Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.

 

All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

Navistar Parts Expands Product Line, Introduces Solutions to Improve Parts Accessibility

February 25, 2020 | Navistar | By Tri-County International Trucks

LISLE, Ill. (February 25, 2020) – Navistar International Corporation’s (NYSE:NAV) Parts business announces product expansion and solutions to further improve parts availability, reinforcing the company’s commitment to customer uptime.

 

Fleetrite® Parts Introduces New Line of Filters

Now in its 50th year of business, Fleetrite® parts, Navistar’s all-makes aftermarket truck and bus parts brand, introduces a new line of filters. Fleetrite filters are a direct replacement for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) filters and include air, hydraulic, fuel, lube and oil, DEF and water and coolant. Warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship, Fleetrite filters prevent contaminants, dirt and debris from entering systems while reducing maintenance costs. This new product line enhances the Fleetrite brand’s more than 100 current product lines.

“The introduction of filters into our Fleetrite product offering expands our portfolio to cover one of the largest all-makes, maintenance product lines in the heavy-duty industry and allows us to reach new customer segments,” said Josef Kory, senior vice president, Parts, Navistar. “Now more than ever, our customers are looking to lower their total cost of ownership without sacrificing uptime. The Fleetrite filter line provides us with the opportunity to do so, while rounding out our filtration product offering.”

 

Fleetrite Expands Retail Footprint

Parts are now more accessible with the addition of standalone Fleetrite retail locations to International® Truck and IC Bus® dealer locations. There are currently eight Fleetrite stores open with plans to develop 10 stores in 2020. The goal is to reach 50 locations by 2023. Navistar collaborates with its International Truck dealer network to determine the most ideal locations for new stores.

Kory adds, “Fleetrite stores were designed to support our customers and their businesses by bringing quality parts closer to our customer, offering multiple daily deliveries and stocking parts that fit all makes and models.”

 

Navistar Launches Parts Online Ordering Solution

With a steadfast focus on customer service, ease-of-doing business and parts availability, Navistar’s Parts business launches a new online parts ordering option powered by RepairLink. Navistar is the first commercial OEM to leverage this popular parts ordering platform widely used by the automotive industry. RepairLink is an online connection to order parts from the International Truck and IC Bus dealer network. With Navistar’s entire parts catalogue available for purchase, more than 3,500 customers have made upward of 30,000 transactions using RepairLink.

“RepairLink offers a solution to fleets of all sizes to order and manage parts, which will in turn help our dealers engage with customers through comprehensive online interactions,” said Kory. “We’re working quickly to continue to evolve ways in which we connect with and serve our customers. Ultimately, we want to cover all of our customers’ aftermarket needs through a simple digital experience.”

Visit International Truck booth 1521 at the 2020 Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition in Atlanta February 24 – 27 to see the Fleetrite brand’s new line of filters and gain additional insight into Navistar’s solutions to parts accessibility.

 

About Navistar

Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial trucks, proprietary diesel engines, and IC Bus® brand school and commercial buses. An affiliate also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com.

 

For further information:

Media, Bre Whalen, 331-332-3056, Breana.Whalen@Navistar.com

Investors, Marty Ketelaar, 331-332-2706, Marty.Ketelaar@Navistar.com

Web site: News.Navistar.com

 

All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

 

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