TuSimple and Navistar Receive 6,775 Reservations for Fully Autonomous International LT Series Trucks

Penske, Schneider, and U.S. Xpress among the first wave of customers to reserve trucks as part of reservation program launched in September

TuSimple self-driving technology company based in San Diego, California, has received 6,775 reservations for a new line of purpose-built SAE Level 4 (L4) International^® LT^® Series autonomous trucks in partnership with Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV). The self-driving trucks will be equipped with TuSimple’s advanced autonomous driving system and manufactured by Navistar beginning in 2024. Among the first customers to place reservations are Penske Truck Leasing, Schneider, and U.S. Xpress, among other large freight transportation companies in North America.

U.S. Xpress has been working closely with TuSimple for two years to better understand and prepare their operations for the arrival of autonomous technologies, and has had a front row seat in following the progress of TuSimple’s autonomous system.

“We have been working with TuSimple since 2019, and we see them as the clear leader in autonomous trucking technology, which is why U.S. Xpress is among the first in line for reservations,” said Eric Fuller, President and CEO, U.S. Xpress. “Autonomous technology is complementary to other investments we’ve made to broaden our portfolio of services across the supply chain.”

TuSimple and Navistar previously announced a strategic partnership to co-develop L4 autonomous heavy-duty trucks. TuSimple and Navistar will launch a fully integrated engineering solution manufactured by Navistar and targeted for production in 2024.

“These early reservation numbers reflect the appetite surrounding self-driving technology in long-haul applications,” said Bob Walsh, Vice President, Emerging Technologies, Strategy & Planning, Navistar. “We are happy to partner with TuSimple to offer this integrated autonomous solution to our customers.”

These reservations represent the first wave of customer commitments as TuSimple and Navistar began the reservation process by approaching a select group of large customers.

“Our first wave customers recognize that a TuSimple and Navistar partnership is a winning combination, bringing together TuSimple’s industry-leading autonomous technology with Navistar’s world-class engineering and manufacturing capabilities,” said Cheng Lu, President and CEO, TuSimple. “Autonomous trucks are poised to transform the trucking industry in powerful new ways by setting a new standard for safety, while dramatically increasing efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.”

Today, TuSimple’s Autonomous Freight Network (AFN) operates a fleet of 50 L4 autonomous trucks across the states of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. The company plans to expand the AFN network coast-to-coast by 2023 and today transports freight for revenue on highways and surface streets for customers such as UPS, U.S. Xpress and the Arizona Association of Food Banks, among others.

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