Navistar Gives Wing to Its Eagle

CHICAGO — Navistar International displayed a completely new product array to more than 300 dealers, customers and media in a glitzy presentation at the Navy Pier here last week.

The new trucks are the “9000i” and “5000i” series. The 9000i models are “recast premium conventionals,” said Don DeFosset, president of the Truck Group, while the 5000i’s include the severe-service vehicles.

One of the over-the-road series, the Eagle 9900ix, represents International’s entry into a new area of the Class 8 market with a longer, more powerful vehicle tailored for owner-operators.

DeFosset joined other manufacturing executives in predicting continued strength in the truck market.

“It will decline some day,” he said, “but it looks like 1999 will be better for Class 8 trucks than 1998.” He said the current year could see more than 230,000 Class 8 trucks sold nationwide.

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