HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – International Truck and Engine will produce its Class 8 MaxxForce engines at a new assembly plant here.

The big bore engine will be assembled at a new assembly plant, but International officials refused to disclose the cost of the new plant.

More than 175 people are expected to be employed at the engine plant.

Full production at Huntsville will begin in the spring of 2008, the company says. The MaxxForce, based on a European engine designed by Man, will initially be partially assembled in Germany. Core engine components will be sourced globally, the company says.

“The MaxxForce 11 and MaxxForce 13 big-bore products are yet another example of our strategy at International to deliver great products to our customers at a competitive cost structure to assure profitable growth for our company and its shareholders,” said Jack Allen, president, Engine Group, International Truck and Engine Corporation.

The MaxxForce engines will only be available in International’s ProStar linehaul tractor, the 8600 regional haul tractor and International’s 7000 Series severe service trucks.

“This is the first heavy-duty Class 8 truck engine designed in and for the 21st century, taking advantage of recent materials and technology advances,” said Jacob Thomas, vice-president, Big Bore Diesel Engines Business Unit, International Engine Group.

International already has an engine plant in Alabama, where it produces medium-duty engines.