Navistar Inc. announced that it will remain the exclusive provider of Class 8 tractors for truckload carrier Heartland Express, Inc. The agreement calls for the delivery of International ProStar+ tractors with EPA 2010 MaxxForce 13 engines.
“Receiving another significant order from a major customer like Heartland Express continues to demonstrate the confidence of the marketplace in the performance and fuel economy of our 2010 MaxxForce Advanced EGR engines,” said Jim Hebe, senior vice president, North American sales operations, Navistar. “Our 2010 ProStar+ will build on that reputation with even more driver comfort features and the fuel economy, performance and no-hassle approach of our Advanced EGR MaxxForce 13 engines will help deliver real-world results to Heartland’s bottom line.”
With this order, the Heartland Express fleet will soon be entirely composed of International ProStar and ProStar+ tractors.
“Having fuel-efficient, cost-effective trucks that are embraced by our drivers is a top priority for us,” Russel Gerdin, chairman and chief executive officer, Heartland Express, Inc. “This agreement with Navistar will ensure that we have the most complete fleet of fuel-efficient and driver-friendly trucks in the industry for years to come.”
The ProStar+ offers new aerodynamic enhancements, including optional full-length chassis skirts for sleepers as well as a new cab roof air fairing for day cab models.
As vehicle weight continues to be a top priority for customers, the ProStar+ is 700 pounds lighter than its predecessor. When you include the MaxxForce 13, with its durable, lightweight compacted graphite iron (CGI) cylinder block, and MaxxForce Advanced EGR emissions technology, the ProStar+ has an additional 600-pound advantage versus the leading 15-liter engine, providing an extra 1,300 pounds of added payload capacity and fuel economy benefits.