Marking the introduction of the "-Star" branding nomenclature to International, the conventional-cab ProStar replaced the 9400i (and shorter 9200i).

Competing against the Freightliner Cascadia and the Kenworth T2000/Peterbilt 387, the ProStar was an aerodynamically-enhanced conventional.

[4] Sharing its NGV (Next-Generation Vehicle[5]) cab with the TranStar, LoneStar, and DuraStar, the ProStar was developed as a $300 million project to produce the most fuel-efficient Class 8 truck in North America, along with improving driver ergonomics and reducing maintenance complexity.

[1][6] For both day-cab and multiple sleeper-cab configurations, the ProStar was based on a 122-inch BBC dimension with a set-back front axle.

[7] For 2015, a second revision was introduced as an option, making it the ProStar ES (Efficiency Specification[8]).