A Hummer isn't enough? Try International's CXT
May 26, 2005
Belleville News
If you have to ask how many miles to a gallon it gets, you probably can't afford it.
But Arch Way Truck Center on Illinois 161 in Swansea has already fielded calls from across the country from people who are interested in buying the International CXT that came in this week.
"It's the biggest pickup truck in the world," International Trucks account manager Michael Fischer said of the $110,000 behemoth that gets 6-10 miles to the gallon of diesel fuel. "It's for the people who want something more than a Hummer. We've had calls from people in Chicago, St. Louis and Springfield who said they can't find one where they are."
Fischer said International markets the four-wheel-drive truck as the "ultimate soccer mom vehicle." But, realistically, he said the market for the truck is professional athletes and businesspeople who want attention.
"It's something that you could put in a parade or have in front of your store that people will stop in to see," Fischer said. "It's not an everyday vehicle. I know it wouldn't even fit into my garage."
The CXT -- which stands for commercial xtreme truck -- is 21 feet long and has a cab that is 9 feet high.
The vehicle is so big that you have to have a commercial driver's license to take it on the streets of Illinois. It has a camera in the bumper so you can see what's behind you, should you want to back up.
The CXT comes outfitted with leather seats, a DVD player and other creature comforts usually found in a sport utility vehicle. On the inside it looks like a living room. But on the outside, it looks like a dump truck.
The CXT got both rants and raves from people who discussed it on one Internet site, engadget.com.
"Oh, my God," one person wrote. "Not only is it useless, it's ugly ... Good luck for getting this thing to the mall, assuming you have enough money to stop for gas twice on the way."
A person who was in favor of the CXT wrote: "This truck is totally awesome. It looks like an 18-wheeler met a Hummer. I think it's really cool, and if I had an extra $115,000, to spend on a vehicle, I would definitely buy one."
International planned to make only 50 of the trucks in its first year. But it has been so well received that Fischer thinks the company will make more. If the CXT isn't for you, the company plans to make a pair of smaller trucks based on it.
The RXT, which is the size of a commercial short haul truck, and the MXT, which is closer to the size of a Hummer, will be out soon.
"International had the first SUV on the market way back when it had the Scout," Fischer said. "They got away from that market. This is their way of getting back into it."
International CXT
A Hummer isn't enough? Try International's CXT
(224.6 hp & 244.7 tq)
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