Caterpillar recently announced that it will begin independently designing and manufacturing its vocational truck product family at its plant in Victoria, Texas. The facility, which opened in 2012, currently produces hydraulic excavators.
Caterpillar launched its first vocational truck, the CT660, in the North American market in 2011. Two more models, the CT680 and CT681, have since been added to the lineup. To date, Caterpillar has worked with Navistar on the design and build of the products, which are currently manufactured in Escobedo, Mexico.
"We appreciate the collaboration we have had with Navistar," said Chris Chadwick, Caterpillar's director of the Global On-Highway Truck Group. "As we look to future launches of new truck models, this updated strategy will better position us to help provide our customers with the best products and services for this market."
The transition process will begin immediately, with production projected to start in the first half of 2016. The addition of the vocational truck production is expected to add around 200 new jobs at the facility, which will continue to produce excavators.
"Caterpillar Victoria is proud to be a part of this opportunity," added Ed O'Neil, general manager for operations in the Excavation Division. "The Victoria facility was selected because of our team's proven record of building high-quality Cat products, our commitment to safety and our successful implementation of the Caterpillar production system and lean manufacturing."
For more information, visit www.caterpillar.com.
