The Caterpillar 3406 ranks highest in heavy-duty diesel engine satisfaction among over-the-road and vocational Class 8 customers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2000 Heavy-Duty Truck Engine Customer Satisfaction Study released yesterday.

The study is based on interviews with 2,337 primary maintainers of 2-year-old heavy-duty trucks (Class 8), and includes only consumers who purchased their vehicles, not those who lease.
The study examines customer satisfaction with a number of important engine factors, including engine performance and quality, as well as warranty, noise and fuel economy.
Among vocational customers, Caterpillar's 3406 ranks significantly above the segment average on the heavy-duty truck engine satisfaction index, with strengths in engine life, performance, downtime and noise. Top scores for 12 of the 14 engine satisfaction measures drive the 3406's ranking. Ranking behind the Caterpillar 3406 is the Cummins N Series.
Customers driving in over-the-road vocations also rate the Caterpillar 3406 significantly higher than average. They are most satisfied with engine downtime and noise, as well as a low occurrence of engine problems with unscheduled downtime. The Cummins N Series and Detroit Diesel Series 60 rated second and third, respectively, in the over-the-road segment.