PCM

Mercury, PCM, Yamaha and Volvo Penta Rank Highest in Marine Engine Customer Satisfaction

MIAMI: 14 February 2008 — Mercury, PCM, Yamaha and Volvo Penta each rank highest among marine engine manufacturers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Marine Engine Competitive Information StudySM released today at the Miami International Boat Show.

Now in its seventh year, the study measures overall customer satisfaction with four marine engine types: EFI inboard; four-stroke EFI outboard; two-stroke DI outboard; and EFI sterndrive. Overall customer satisfaction index scores are based on performance across seven factors: starting ease; quietness at cruise; reliability; fuel economy; shifting smoothness; lack of exhaust fumes; and ability of boat to accelerate rapidly. The study also examines engine quality, where scores are measured as problems per 100 (PP100) engines and a lower score reflects higher quality.

Outboard DI two-stroke segment
Mercury leads in the outboard DI two-stroke segment for a third consecutive year, with slight improvements in engine quality since the 2007 study. Evinrude closely follows Mercury in the segment.

Marine Engines with Advanced Technologies Positively Impact Customer Satisfaction, Yet in Many Cases, Technology Does Not Play a Key Role in the Purchase Decision, J.D. Power and Associates Reports

MIAMI: 15 February 2007 — Although owners of advanced-technology marine engines are consistently more satisfied compared to owners of older technology engines (such as carburetor-driven), only one-half of outboard owners report that engine technology played a major role in their purchase decision, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Marine Engine Competitive Information Study(SM) released today at the Miami International Boat Show. Additionally, only 27 percent of inboard owners and 26 percent of sterndrive owners indicate the same.

PCM, Honda, Mercury and MerCruiser Rank Highest in Marine Engine Customer Satisfaction, J.D. Power and Associates Reports

Boat Owners Report Fewer Engine-Related Problems

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 16 February 2006 — PCM, Honda, Mercury and MerCruiser rank highest in customer satisfaction in four engine segments in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Marine Engine Competitive Information StudySM released today.With impressive improvements in both product satisfaction and quality, Mercury Marine ranks highest in two of four engine segments. Mercury ranks highest in the direct-injected (DI) two-stroke outboard segment, and Mercury MerCruiser ranks highest in the EFI sterndrive segment.

Honda ranks highest in the electronic fuel-injected (EFI) four-stroke outboard segment for a second consecutive year, while Pleasurecraft Engine Group (PCM) ranks highest in the EFI inboard engine segment.

“Mercury has worked hard to focus on improving its product quality and customer service, and it shows,” said Eric Sorensen, director of the marine practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “Mercury’s success this year in these two engine segments shows that positive change happens when companies are serious about both listening and decisively responding to their customers.”