The new Caterpillar CT660 vocational truck, officially announced at the ConExpo-Con/AGG 2011 in March, has passed all requirements of Caterpillar’s rigorous new product introduction process and is approved for shipment to customers, the company announced.

The CT660 has been in limited production since June, with the first units off the line used to validate manufacturing procedures and to ensure that the CT660 meets Caterpillar’s stringent quality standards. Customer deliveries of the CT660 vocational trucks began in September.

“Caterpillar is extremely pleased with the response we have received from our vocational truck customers,” said George Taylor, director of the company’s Global On-Highway Truck Group. “A number of customers, who saw the CT660 for the first time at ConExpo-Con/AGG, actually ordered trucks before having the opportunity to drive them. I think that speaks highly of their confidence in Cat products and the Cat dealer network.”

Caterpillar will continue ramping up CT660 production through the third quarter to fill customer orders, Cat dealer rental fleets and dealer inventory. Most Caterpillar dealers in North America have held or plan to hold open house events to introduce customers to the CT660 and explain how the trucks can be configured to meet demanding vocational applications.

“Most important for Caterpillar at this point is to focus on increasing production and getting customers behind the wheel of the CT660,” said Taylor. “Once customers drive the CT660 and take note of how carefully it’s designed to meet the demands of vocational service, we think they’ll immediately recognize how the truck can benefit them. The CT660 is a significant new product for Caterpillar, and we’re excited about supplying a truck that will help with rebuilding our infrastructure in a recovering economy.”

For more information, visit http://drivecat.com/.

This story also appears on Truck and Trailer Guide.

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