International Introduces LoneStar Class 8 Truck

Navistar International Corp. introduced its new LoneStar heavy-duty truck at last week’s Chicago Auto show, which it said has improved ergonomics, enhanced suspension, advanced electronics and a quiet cab.

The Class 8 truck is the “new flagship product” of Navistar’s International Truck & Engine Corp., the company said in a statement.

“The International LoneStar closes the gap between workstyle and lifestyle for driving professionals, combining peak productivity with emotional appeal,” said Daniel Ustian, Navistar’s chairman and chief executive officer.

“It is the product of Navistar’s culture of relentless innovation, and embodies the spirit both of today’s driving professionals and the dynamic, transforming energy inside our company,” he said in a statement.

The LoneStar is projected to be 5% to 15% more fuel efficient than standard trucks, equating to an annual savings of $3,000 to $8,000, Navistar said.

“Our engineering team, which has diverse backgrounds in the automotive, aerospace and trucking industries, felt confident that we could develop this truck without spending months in prototyping,” said Tom Baughman, vice president and general manager, Navistar Heavy Truck Vehicle Center.

“We knew we had a winning truck, and we wanted to make it available to our customers as soon as it could be ready,” he said.

Some of the automotive-style features built into the LoneStar include:

• Standard ABS (antilock braking system);

• Roll stability;

• Traction control;

• Bluetooth integration for hands-free phone use;

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel;

• Automotive-style dash and gauges with rosewood or titanium trim; and

• A 50-degree wheel cut.