Should we be interested in the new range of trucks launched by International in the US? The answer to this is, probably. The new trucks may well be the type of vehicle Navistar are looking to introduce to the Australian market, when it delivers on its promise, made last year at Brisbane, to relaunch the International brand here.
These new trucks are the first new models to be introduced by International since 2010. This new range represents the first stage in a move away from the current offering, moving to a completely new range, away from the current naming convention, from model names to models designated by letter.
The new trucks are the HX range. This is the heavy duty vocational truck range. These HX models are destined to become the tippers, refuse trucks and concrete agitators from International on the US market. They will be available in both rigid and prime mover form.
They are being sold in the US on their robust design and ability to take the punishment in this kind of application. This would seem to point to their eventual introduction into the Australian market. Freightliner developed a similar range in the past with the Severe Duty Coronado range, which has been introduced to Australia, simply as the Coronado.
“The launch of the HX Series is an opportunity for International to recapture a leading position in the vocational market a segment we previously led,” said Troy Clarke, President and CEO, Navistar, at the launch. “The launch of the HX Series underscores our commitment to innovation, our dedication to uptime and our position as a leader within the industry.”
The new truck series was unveiled at the World of Concrete trade show, taking place, at the moment, in Las Vegas.
“The design of our new HX Series is based on in-depth discussions with leading users of severe service applications,” said Bill Kozek, President, Truck and Parts, Navistar. “Each of the four models in the series has been engineered to deliver unmatched performance for the most punishing jobs, while making operators more productive.”
The HX515 and the HX615 models are powered by Navistar N 13 engines (sold here as the Cat CT13 engine), while the HX520 and HX620 models offer the Cummins ISX 15 engine. Each model has a huck-bolted frame and cross members, which are said to produce superior clamping force to minimise vibration and maximise structural integrity.