Navistar is securing its place as the leader in hybrid commercial trucks with new purchase-assistance programs designed to get commercial truck drivers into Navistar hybrid trucks. With the high cost of diesel fuel, commercial truckers are feeling the burn in their pockets and bank accounts, but Navistar is looking to get the truckers into a new hybrid truck regardless.
Navistar announced three new purchase programs for the International DuraStar Hybrid medium-duty truck at the Great American Truck Show in Dallas, a first of its kind in the North American commercial truck industry. The programs include a $6000 tax-match incentive, a 60-month battery-lease program, and a 60-month fair market value lease. The fair market value lease program gives lessees the option to walk away from the truck after 60 months, or purchase it. The battery-lease program takes an instant $10,000 off the purchase price of the vehicle in exchange for lease payments on the battery. The three programs will run through the end of 2008.
Navistar senior vice president of North American sales operation James L. Hebe emphasized the importance of offering the new programs: "These three new programs are for customers who are feeling the pinch of fuel prices and who are looking for a greener alternative. These new programs help give customers a shorter payback period to realize their return on investment. As diesel prices quickly approach $5 per gallon and as customers ask for products that reduce their fleet's impact on the environment, we have not been caught off guard. The DuraStar Hybrid is one of many International products that are built for this new reality."
The new DuraStar Hybrids save 30-60% more gas compared with regular diesel-powered medium-duty trucks. With today's diesel prices, the annual savings would be nearly $4000 for a single truck. The fuel savings for the DuraStar Hybrid would qualify the truck for federal tax credits of $3000 to $12,000, depending on application and gross vehicle weight. Emissions reductions would total 11 to 16.5 tons of carbon dioxide per unit less than regular diesels, and International is offering additional $6000 matching "Green" credit for qualifying buyers.
Source: Business Wire