J.D. Power and Associates Ranks Cat^® C-15
Highest in Customer Satisfaction

J.D. Power and Associates has ranked the Caterpillar^® C-15 highest in customer satisfaction with vocational heavy duty truck diesel engines, according to a recently released study on Heavy Duty Truck Engine/Transmissions by the international marketing information firm. A Caterpillar engine has ranked highest in the vocational segment for five times in a row.

The J.D. Power and Associates study measured customer satisfaction in three vital engine factors: engine quality and warranty; engine performance; and engine noise and vibration. The study was based on responses from 2,429 primary maintainers of two-year-old Class 8 trucks. The Cat^® C-15 received high satisfaction ratings on six of the eight questions that make up the Engine Index.

"The great aspect of the J.D. Power and Associates studies is that they are compiled by asking the end-users of our products for their honest feedback about our performance," says Jim McReynolds, general manager, On-Highway Engine Department, Caterpillar Power Systems North America. "Based on the results, it's clear that Caterpillar is once again raising the industry bar for quality and performance."

The Caterpillar C-12 follows the C-15 in the rankings with strong scores across all three customer satisfaction factors. The study examined engines in 2003 model-year trucks, which were the first affected by the emissions regulations enacted in October 2002 that raised diesel engine emissions standards. Caterpillar was the first engine manufacturer to offer both medium and heavy duty truck and bus engines that met the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's more stringent 2004 emissions standards.

To meet the new emissions regulations, engine manufacturers had to redesign engines and employ new technologies, such as redirecting exhaust back into the engine to burn off more pollutants. The study contained a mix of new- and old-technology engines, since the emissions regulations went into effect in the middle of 2003 model-year production.

The C-15 utilizes the building blocks of Caterpillar ACERT™ Technology, which is a long-term solution that reduces emissions at the point of combustion without sacrificing engine performance and reliability. A systems approach to emissions reduction, it relies on advanced technologies in four key areas: improved air management, precision combustion technology, advanced engine electronics, and a simple after-treatment process.

"It's a tribute to the entire Cat team that we were able to successfully implement new diesel emission standards and still receive the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates award," adds McReynolds. "It proves that our ongoing commitment to quality and customer satisfaction never changes."

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Issue 38 2/21/06
To learn more about Caterpillar On-Highway Engines, please visit:
http://www.cattruckengines.com

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