TORONTO, (June 16, 2005) — International Truck and Engine Corp. announced it will conduct a 20-truck, cross-country road tour this summer, including one stop in Toronto.

“Starting June 29, the world’s biggest truck tour hits the road, and by big, we mean big,” the truckmaker promises. Taking a queue from the automotive industry with a little Barnum and Bailey thrown in for good measure, International and its vast dealer network is launching “Taking it to the Streets” — a cross-country tour of 20 commercial trucks and “some trailers full of goodies that won’t disappoint.”

The tour will visit eight cities in the United States and Canada, beginning with Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field on June 29 and 30. The show rolls in Toronto July 27-28 at the Downsview Hangar.

The tour has an urban focus, meaning it features trucks like the market-leading International 4000 Series, which are commonly seen around the cities delivering fish, auto parts, beverages and the like. But it will also have dump trucks and other work trucks, as well as our popular International 8000 Series heavy truck favored for regional hauls.

Headlining the parade are some new little trucks called the International CF Series. They’ll be in tough attracting attention, however, with the much-hyped International CXT, “the world’s largest pick-up,” also be available for test drives.

Born out of a 20-ton hauler and other International severe service trucks used by the construction, government and waste industries, the International CXT is aimed at commercial operations built on the same platform as dump trucks and snowplows — although some Hollywood types have been spotted driving it around too. It hauls three times the payload of consumer pick-up trucks, is all-wheel drive, uses air brakes for stopping ability and offers towing, dumping and tilt-bed capability, the company says.

“There’s no charge for the tire kicking, the parking, or Al’s cold lemonade as tour attendees will try their hand at two ride-and-drive courses, relax in a big air-conditioned tent with customer lounge or visit one of the fun stations, such as the remote control course with a slightly smaller version of the world’s biggest pick-up,” the company says.

In addition to the ride and drive opportunities, there are many other fun and valuable tour offerings for customers. There are show-only financing and warranty specials, sweepstakes to win an International CF Series truck, a NASCAR race package to meet NASCAR champion driver Kurt Busch and IRWIN tools skills competitions.

As an added bonus, International will also be demonstrating its Aware Vehicle Intelligence, a telematics system that enables the fleet manager to monitor truck routes, performance, maintenance, security and fuel. Compamy experts in the areas of engine, finance, used trucks, parts and service will also be available.

To register for Taking It to the Streets, go to www.internationaltrucktour.com or call the International Event Help Line at 866-483-2001. The Taking it to the Streets Tour is supported by Irwin Industrial Tools, Road Ranger, Allison, Michelin, CAT and Cummins.