The International ProStar with the Cummins ISX15 was named the ATD Truck of the Year.International made a clean sweep of this year’s ATD Truck of the Year honors, as its long-haul ProStar with the Cummins ISX15 won ATD Truck of the Year in the heavy-duty market and the International TerraStar 4×4 won medium-duty Truck of the Year.
The announcements came Sunday at the American Truck Dealers Expo in New Orleans, La.
“It is an honor to be recognized this year with both the 2014 ATD Heavy-Duty and Medium-Duty Commercial Truck of the Year titles,” says Bill Kozek, president of North America Truck and Parts for Navistar, said after the announcements on Sunday. “Being recognized in both these categories proves International is back with great product offerings.”
The TerraStar 4×4 was named the Medium Duty Truck of the Year.The judges — veteran trucking journalists who judged the trucks on innovation, design, safety and driver satisfaction — say they liked the ProStar’s simple trim and the power of the Cummins big-bore engine, along with the truck’s overall maneuverability. It beat out the Kenworth T880 and the Peterbilt 579.
The TerraStar got high marks for its towing ability, tilting hood and roomy interior. It was competing against the Hino 195h-DC, the Kenworth 370 and the Peterbilt 220.
The victories mark a bright spot in International parent company Navistar’s turn-around efforts, which began in September 2012, when it announced it would be moving away from its EGR-only approach to meeting EPA emissions regs and partnering with Cummins to implement an SCR-based strategy.
The company reported $3 billion in net losses in 2012, following the beginning of its transition. That number, however, dropped to $898 million in 2013.
It also reported stronger sales in the fall.
