International Brand Trucks Sees Less Complex Diesel Aftertreatment for 2007 Products without Using SCR or NOx Adsorbers

WARRENVILLE, Ill.--Dec. 1, 20035, 2003--International Truck and Engine Corporation announced that it has established a technology path to meet 2007 emissions requirements for all its International(R) 2007 model year vehicles.

The decisions have been made based on the demonstrated abilities of the International(R) engines used in International's Class 6, 7 and 8 truck products as well as the demonstrated abilities of International's engine supplier partners for Class 8 trucks.

The products affected include International's complete line. Medium trucks used for a variety of applications such as in city delivery, towing and refuse, severe service applications used in construction, school buses and over the road Class 8 heavy trucks used in cross country-commerce.

"Using ultra-low-sulfur fuel, each of the three engine manufacturers has found it is feasible to reduce in-cylinder emissions of NOx to a level that reduces the burden on aftertreatment in meeting the 2007 federal emissions standard," said Patrick Charbonneau, vice president, regulatory and technology affairs. "This will allow engine aftertreatment to be less complex than initially thought."

Federal regulations require that ultra-low-sulfur (ULS) diesel fuel, in which sulfur has been reduced to fewer than 15 parts per million, must be available nationwide by mid-2006.

Specifically, Charbonneau stated that all engines used in International trucks for the 2007 model year will meet the federal NOx requirements without the need for complex selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. SCR is an aftertreatment technology that requires the availability of urea, an ammonia compound, and its introduction into the exhaust system. SCR requires special infrastructure for delivery of an additional fluid to the vehicle, adding another level of complexity for the truck end user.

International and its Class 8 engine suppliers agreed that SCR is unnecessary to meet the 2007 requirements, thanks to proven advances in other engine and fuel technologies.

Manufacturers must commit to a technology path well in advance of production for International trucks in order to meet aggressive standards for customers' needs for performance, cost effectiveness, quality, reliability, and durability. Based on the program requirements, industry technology decisions for 2007 are being finalized in December 2003.

International also announced that 2007 standards for the engines it produces for International trucks will be achieved without the use of NOx adsorber technology. "While we have actively researched the need for NOx adsorbers, we have demonstrated a breakthrough with our existing engine technology platform for 2004," Charbonneau said. "By being able to eliminate the need for and expense of NOx adsorbers, we will meet 2007 environmental requirements while reducing complexity for our customers."

Having eliminated the need for adsorbers in 2007, Charbonneau said, International will now focus on the development of advanced NOx aftertreatment for 2010, thus providing ample lead time for efficiency optimization, cost effectiveness, and durability proveout for all its truck products.

Charbonneau also noted that all International(R) brand vehicles will meet 2007 standards for particulate matter (PM) through the use of particulate filters, with which the company has considerable experience. These filters have been used successfully on International(R) Green Diesel Technology products for the past three years, and are used extensively in the retrofit of older electronic diesel engines to reduce PM. International's Green Diesel Technology school buses were certified as meeting 2007 federal standards for PM and hydrocarbons in 2001, six years ahead of requirements.

International Truck and Engine Corporation is the operating company of Navistar International Corporation . The company produces International(R) brand commercial trucks, mid-range diesel engines and IC brand school buses and is a private label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV markets. With the broadest distribution network in North America, the company also provides financing for customers and dealers. Additionally, through a joint venture with Ford Motor Company, the company builds medium commercial trucks and sells truck and diesel engine service parts. Additional information is available at www.internationaldelivers.com.