[ihc] Re: NEW SCOUT Truck from INTERNATIONAL being studied

[Suprscout@xxxxxxx]

Yes, the title is correct: "New Scout Truck from International being  
studied" I never thought i would ever be able to say those words, but it is  true! 
The company's Truck Group Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Dan  
Lindberg stated recently that International Truck and Engine Corp has a plan to  
execute a bold growth strategy which includes improvements in diesel engine  
sales, Medium and bus sales, Servere service vehicle sales, the introduction of  a 
new class 8 truck (line haul) - the first new class 8 LH truck International  
truck in more than 20 years by 2006, to find a new customer for the v6 
diesel,  secure business with the Military (SmarTruck III - replacement of the 
humvee)  and generate sales for its new CF (low cab forward) truck. With these 
goals met  the company would then have the financial strength to look at 
reintroducing the  "Scout truck" at some point in the future. 

For a company like this to  have such goal at the end of this strategy is 
amazing and means that they  recognize after all these years that there is a 
market here for them to exploit.  I must believe they must have taken notice of 
our efforts to keep the original  Scout and Scout II along with the 
Pickup/Travelall light line products alive and  well. Every Scout/Light Line owner today 
should be proud and take pride in the  fact that these vehicles are still 
around and that there may be a new product  available for us in the future because 
of the fact that IH built this legacy by  building products that just will not 
die and have had such a loyal following for  all of this time. 

Our annual parade from the IH Scout and Light Truck  Nationals to the 
Springfield International Truck plant this September may have a  new meaning this 
year, as the company may be watching and looking at our fine  vehicles a little 
closer this year. Many may wish to write International in  support of this bold 
plan and I will advise and post an address for this purpose  sometime in the 
near future. A new Scout in every driveway! Sounds great doesn't  it?

John Glancy
SLL,SSS,NATS'04,IHCC