DALLAS – Navistar is extending its hybrid leadership among commercial truck manufacturers with new programs designed to further cut the cost of ownership for its hybrid trucks at a time of extraordinarily high diesel prices. Navistar is offering customers a $6,000 tax-match incentive, a 60-month fair market value lease, and a 60-month battery-lease program when buying the International DuraStar Hybrid medium-duty truck, resulting in an additional $10,000 off the purchase price of the truck.

“These three new programs are for customers who are feeling the pinch of fuel prices and who are looking for a greener alternative,” said James Hebe, senior vice president, North American sales operations, Navistar. “These new programs help give customers a shorter payback period to realize their return on investment.”

The DuraStar Hybrid offers up to 30-60 percent fuel savings over traditional diesel-powered trucks. At today’s high diesel prices, that equates to a savings of nearly $4,000 in fuel per truck annually. It also results in annual greenhouse gas reductions of 11 to 16.5 tons of carbon dioxide per unit.

The fuel savings of the DuraStar Hybrid recently qualified the truck for federal tax credits of $3,000 to $12,000, depending on application and GVW, for most customers. In addition to these tax credits, International is offering an additional $6,000 matching “Green” credit for qualifying buyers.

Navistar is also introducing two new leasing programs on DuraStar Hybrid. Navistar is offering a 60-month fair market value lease on the DuraStar Hybrid, in which customers will have the option when the lease expires to either purchase the truck or just walk away. In addition, Navistar is offering a simple, 60-month battery-lease program for the DuraStar Hybrid. The customer will receive an additional $10,000 off the purchase price of the vehicle in exchange for paying 60 monthly lease payments on the truck battery.

“As diesel prices quickly approach $5.00 per gallon and as customers ask for products that reduce their fleet’s impact on the environment, we have not been caught off guard,” Hebe said. “The DuraStar Hybrid is one of many International products that are built for this new reality.”

All three programs run through Dec. 31, 2008. Truck customers seeking more information about these programs should contact their local International dealers.