Sterndrive Engines

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.

Mercury OptiMax, Mercury MerCruiser Ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (February 16, 2006) – Mercury Marine was presented a pair of customer satisfaction awards today from J.D. Power and Associates for its direct-fuel-injected and sterndrive engines.

Mercury MerCruiser, Mercury's sterndrive company in Stillwater, Okla., was recognized by the highly regarded global marketing information firm as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Sterndrive Engines.” Mercury OptiMax – the marine industry's leading direct-fuel-injected (DFI) two-stroke outboard that is built in Fond du Lac, Wis. – was recognized as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Two-Stroke Outboard Engines.”

The awards were presented this morning at the J.D. Power and Associates awards ceremony in conjunction with the Miami International Boat Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Mercury Marine President Patrick C. Mackey accepted the awards on behalf of Mercury. He was accompanied by Mercury Outboard President Mark Schwabero and MerCruiser President Kevin Grodzki. Mackey said the entire Mercury organization is gratified to receive such a strong affirmation by its customers.

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.”