Re: 5,000,000 Binder (International Truck)

[Suprscout@domain.elided]

On September 11th (During the 9th Annual IH Scout & Light Truck Nationals'98)
on Line 1, second shift the 5,000,000 truck was built at Navistar
Internationals Springfield Operations. This is since 1921. The truck, line
#3045, is a model 4700 4x2. This unit is white with standard equipment. 
This particular unit has a special customer: American Electric Power (AEP),
based in Columbus Ohio, will be the recipient of this much anticipated truck.
AEP provides energy to 3 million customers in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan,
Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, & West Virginia, as well as services around the
world. AEP has been a loyal customer of Int'l Trucks. 96% of their fleet is
International. They order an average of 75 units a year from Springfield. The
5 millionith truck is part of an order of 7 trucks. 

"Beyond the Road Ahead" Celebration
On Sunday, October 18 the Springfield Plant will host a celebration of
International Trucks & the 5 Millionth Truck. This event, Named "Beyond the
Road Ahead" will be a day long celebration for employees, their families, and
the Community.
It will include International Truck displays, old Trucks, food, activities for
children, a concert from Phil Dirt & the Dozers, and much, much more.
This event is planned to take place on the Springfield PLants (RT68 North)
front lawn from 1 to 5pm. 
The 5 Millionth Truck will be officially displayed & presented to AEP at the
event.

Springfield/International History:
The Springfield Body Plant is believed to be the oldest industrial site in the
nation still in use. It was purchased in 1830 for $3000. It was used for the
production of Champion farming equipment until 1902 when Champion & 4
competitors merged to form International Harvester. Truck production began at
the Lagonda ave. site in 1921.

The First Truck
The first International Truck was the "Auto Wagon". It was designed to go from
"Farm to market" at a maximum speed of 20mph. Only 73 of these units were
produced in 1907, at the McCormick Works in Chicago, & later at Ohio's Akron
Works.

Other milestones
1921  - International truck production began at the Springfield Body plant
(Lagonda) 
1947 - 1,000,000 truck was built. (Was a KB pickup)
1966 - Assembly Plant opens on Rt 68 North (Springfield)
1971 - 3,000,000 truck built (Was a Travelall)
1998 - 5,000,000 truck built (4700 4x2)      

John Glancy