WARRENVILLE, Ill., Jan 12, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Navistar (NYSE: NAV) today announced it will receive more than $37
million in federal funding to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) to pioneer new fuel efficiency and emissions-reducing
technologies. The goal of the project is to develop a "Super Truck"
featuring a 50 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.
"Navistar is proud of its fuel efficiency leadership and we're delighted
to work with the DOE on a project that will improve truck and trailer
aerodynamics and reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil," said
Dee Kapur, president, Navistar Truck Group. "The International(R)
ProStar(R) is currently the industry's Class 8 leader in fuel
efficiency and aerodynamics and this project positions Navistar to take
its leadership to the next level."
Through the DOE project, Navistar will be developing and demonstrating
technologies to improve truck and trailer aerodynamics, combustion
efficiency, waste heat recovery, hybridization, idle reduction, and
reduced rolling resistance tires.
Currently, the transportation sector accounts for 28 percent of total
U.S. energy use. Improving the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty commercial
trucks would be an important step in reducing U.S. energy consumption
and would also have a significant impact in reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.
With more than 80 percent of the nation's diesel fuel consumed by
heavy-duty on-highway Class 8 trucks, the DOE's development of a "Super
Truck" has enormous energy-saving potential as well as significant
environmental benefits.
"Our selection to participate in the 'Super Truck' program recognizes
the outstanding contributions of our company-wide product development
organization," said Ramin Younessi, Navistar group vice president,
product development and strategy. "Our leadership in designing and
developing clean, energy-efficient engines combined with our
achievements in vehicle aerodynamics will provide a solid foundation as
we work to deliver the 'Super Truck' program goals."
As these vehicle technologies are adopted broadly across the country,
they could save more than 100 million gallons of gasoline and diesel per
day, and reduce carbon emissions from on-road vehicles by 20 percent by
2030.
"We'll continue to work closely with the DOE in the weeks ahead as
additional details are finalized on funding, allocation of resources and
timing," added Younessi.
About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company
whose wholly-owned subsidiaries and affiliates produce International(R)
brand commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce(R) brand diesel
engines, IC Bus(TM) brand school and commercial buses, Monaco RV
brands of recreational vehicles, and Workhorse(R) brand chassis
for motor homes and step vans. It also is a private-label designer and
manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV
markets. The company also provides truck and diesel engine parts and
service. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional
information is available at www.Navistar.com/newsroom.
SOURCE: Navistar International Corporation
Navistar International Corporation
Media Contact: Roy Wiley, 630-753-2627
Investor contact: Heather Kos, 630-753-2406
Web site: www.Navistar.com/newsroom
Copyright Business Wire 2010