PEORIA, Ill. — 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 recent study on heavy-duty truck engine/transmissions. A Caterpillar engine has ranked highest in the vocational segment 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 almost 2,500 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.

“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,” added McReynolds. “It proves that our ongoing commitment to quality and customer satisfaction never changes.”