Jan 8, 2010 8:48 AM

Hino Trucks engines rank highest in customer satisfaction for a second consecutive year according to the JD Power and Associates 2009 Medium-Duty Truck Engine and Transmission Customer Satisfaction Study.

The study measures customer perceptions of 2007 model-year Class 5, 6, and 7 gasoline and diesel engines, and provides manufacturers with a measure of customer satisfaction with the products and related dealer service. Four factors are measured to determine overall engine satisfaction. In order of importance, they are: engine warranty, engine quality, engine performance, and cost of engine ownership.

Looking to the future, Hino Trucks continues to plan for new technologies and models that meet and exceed both environmental and customer needs. This year will see the release of new models meeting stringent emissions standards. In 2011, Hino will introduce its third-generation proprietary hybrid system in a newly designed Class 4 and 5 cab over specifically designed to meet the needs of the US market.

The 2009 JD Power study finds that 2007 model-year medium-duty engines have considerably higher fuel economy than 2006 model-year engines did in the 2008 study. The improvement in fuel economy drives an increase in satisfaction with the cost of ownership factor, as well as an improvement in satisfaction with medium-duty engines overall.

According to JD Power, Hino engines continue to perform well across the board, particularly with regard to quality. When compared with the average engine in this market, Hino Trucks engines tend to have fewer engine problems and less downtime.

For more details, visit www.hino.com.