A Family Resemblance
by Mark Williams
If the CXT looks familiar, it should. A few issues back, we highlighted an International platform used for the SmarTruck III, a military concept vehicle, and its commercial variant. Although both are on a completely different platform, they share the cab structure and look with the CXT. And we're told this is part of International's strategy. Our guess is this could be the next International product that works its way into the heavy-duty personal-use product line, looking to cut into the massive Super Duty, Silverado HD, and Ram HD sales.
Future Plans
by Mark Williams
Born from functional, utilitarian farm equipment, the International Harvester Scout was one of the first popular SUVs, offering much more utility than sport. Although the line was killed off for economic reasons (and an oil embargo), it seems that International is playing with the idea of bringing the Scout or Scout II back to market--maybe with a diesel. International has made the point that it still owns the Scout name, and although gasoline prices are up again, there may be life for a full-size, function-first SUV with a hybrid-diesel powerplant. This could be interesting.