Independent Test Results Show up to 4.5 Percent Advantage in Fluid
Economy
WARRENVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Results from new, independent tests demonstrate Navistar's IC Bus™ brand
CE Series school buses have up to a 4.5 percent advantage over competing
buses in fluid economy—a measurement of diesel fuel plus liquid urea
consumed by the vehicle's emissions reduction system.
"With diesel fuel and operating costs on the rise, we are always aiming
to provide maximum efficiency to our bus operators," said John McKinney,
president, IC Bus. "We work hard to understand our customers and deliver
best-in-class products, and the results speak for themselves."
Comparisons of type C buses have typically been centered on fuel
economy. However, with different buses offering distinctive technologies
to meet EPA 2010 emissions, fuel economy doesn't tell the whole story.
Competitor's buses offer a liquid urea SCR (Selective Catalytic
Reduction) solution and, like diesel fuel, liquid urea costs money.
Navistar has been a leader in the industry in seeking comprehensive,
third-party testing to provide customers an unbiased perspective of
vehicle performance. IC Bus is the first to put its technology into
head-to-head testing against its competitors. Recently, independent
research consultants conducted fluid economy testing at the
Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) proving ground facility
in Ohio.
Independent, Head-to-Head Fluid Economy Testing
To help customers make informed decisions about which bus-engine
combination is right for them, IC Bus commissioned the Transportation
Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) to conduct a head-to-head fluid economy
comparison. TRC Inc. performed independent TMC (Technology & Maintenance
Council) Type IV testing of three type C buses with EPA 2010-compliant
engines: IC Bus CE Series with EPA 2010 MaxxForce® 7 with
Advanced EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) vs. a Blue Bird Vision with a
Cummins ISB engine and a Thomas® C2 with a Cummins ISB
engine, both with liquid-urea SCR.
"These testing scenarios are purposely designed to create as close to
real-world on-the-road applications as possible, with no attention to
detail spared," McKinney said. "The test results confirm our commitment
to our customers to deliver the most efficient buses on the road."
The specifications for each bus were as similar as possible. All
vehicles were in similar mechanical condition, were loaded with equal
ballast weights, and side window openings were the same in each vehicle
at all times. Each bus was tested on multiple runs of a 135 mile test
route, developed specifically to replicate typical bus applications,
such as idle time, frequent stop-and-go intervals, and long routes at
low average speeds ranging from 0 to 50 miles per hour. Drivers switched
vehicles every 45 miles of the test route to eliminate driver influence
of test results.
IC Bus is the Clear Leader
The test results are clear. In the comparison of fluid economy, the 2010
IC Bus CE Series with MaxxForce 7 consistently outperformed the
competing buses with up to a 4.5 percent advantage in fluid economy in
typical bus operating conditions, and between 0.5 and 1.5 percent fluid
economy advantage using TMC Type IV testing methods. In addition to
better fluid economy, the IC Bus CE Series with MaxxForce Advanced EGR
is the only no-hassle 2010 emissions solution.
"The data shows the unconventional path IC Bus chose to follow regarding
2010 emissions regulations has paid off, with clear benefits for our
customers," McKinney added.
Beyond the Bus
Beyond its fluid economy advantage, IC Bus with MaxxForce Advanced EGR
doesn't require liquid urea, so there's less hassle associated with
unfamiliar hardware, requiring no additional training for drivers or
service technicians. Drivers simply must turn the key for the Advanced
EGR 2010-compliant bus to be environmentally effective.
*All marks are trademarks of their respective owners.
About Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.)
Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.) independently manages a
transportation research and testing facility serving the needs of
industries, governments, trade associations, and educational
organizations worldwide. Transportation Research Center (the Center) is
located near East Liberty, Ohio, approximately 40 miles northwest of
Columbus. Additional information is available at www.TRCPG.com.
About IC Bus
IC Bus, LLC of Warrenville, Ill., is an affiliate of Navistar
International Corporation (NYSE: NAV). The nation's largest integrated
manufacturer of school busses, IC Bus is a global leader in passenger
protection, chassis design, engines and ergonomics. The company is also
a producer of commercial buses. All IC Bus™ buses are sold,
serviced and supported through a renowned dealer network that offers an
integrated customer program encompassing parts, training and service.
Additional information is available site at www.icbus.com.
Navistar International Corporation
Media contacts: Steve Schrier,
630-753-2264
Investor contact: Heather Kos, 630-753-2406
Web
site: www.Navistar.com/newsroom
Source: Navistar International Corporation
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