WARRENVILLE, Ill. — International has brought nearly 1,100 of its dealers up to speed on the companys new flagship Class 8 tractor, the ProStar.

The new aerodynamic tractor will be launched at the start of 2007 with the first deliveries slated for March. To prepare dealers for the rollout, International hosted more than 1,000 dealer sales professionals for a series of ProStar Training Camps in Atlanta, Dallas and Chicago.

“ProStar will set a new standard for long haul tractors, so we’re making sure the International dealers have the tools they need to serve our customers and grow their business,” said Dee Kapur, president of Internationals truck group.

Dealers at the training camps learned how to help customers spec’ the ProStar and were afforded the opportunity to drive the truck themselves.

Bill Hehman, sales representative, Miami Valley International Trucks said, “The session was informative and we’re excited about the new product. I enjoyed the test drive course and was surprised at how quiet and smoothly it drove. It addresses the needs of the next generation of truck customers.”

Dealer input was welcomed during the design of the ProStar through a number of dealer advisory boards. The truck offers a four-point value proposition based on: outstanding aerodynamics; unparalleled driver satisfaction; unprecedented uptime; and the lowest cost of ownership. International says it offers an 8% improvement in aerodynamics compared to the companys previous best offering. The end result could be a 4% fuel mileage improvement.

The ProStar will be built at International’s Chatham assembly plant.