International to Offer Built-in Communications

nternational Truck and Engine Corp., the operating arm of Navistar International Corp., said last week it would introduce an onboard communications package for Class 6-8 trucks that could send safety, operational and security data from a vehicle to a fleet’s facility or other sites, such as border crossings.

The truck and engine maker’s executives said the built-in communications equipment would help truckers comply with expected additional government oversight of the trucking industry, an increasing number of security checkpoints and slowdowns in transportation channels over the coming years.

“Several pieces of legislation currently are pending in Congress that will immediately impact on our customers if they become law. And the anticipated outcome of these legislative efforts means our customers will face a new range of security challenges that could translate into cost pressures,” said Phil Christman, International vice president for product development.