Kenworth Truck Co. recently announced that it achieved the highest ranking in customer satisfaction among Class 8 truck owners in the Over The Road, Pickup and Delivery, and Vocational Segments, according to the new J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Heavy Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study.
Kenworth also announced at last week’s Great American Trucking Show in Dallas that its new medium-duty conventional models — the T270 Class 6 and T370 Class 7 — will enter production in the fourth quarter.
The 2007 J.D. Power and Associates study is based on interviews with 2,677 primary maintainers of Class 8 trucks. Kenworth says it is the first truck manufacturer to sweep all three major product segment awards since the J.D. Power and Associates Heavy Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study was introduced in 2003. This year’s study marks the third consecutive year that Kenworth received both the Over The Road and Pickup and Delivery awards and at least three of the four Heavy Duty awards bestowed annually. Kenworth’s latest honors increased its total to 11 Heavy Duty awards, which it says is more than any other truck manufacturer.
“Kenworth has an outstanding track record of delivering the highest levels of customer satisfaction in the industry in terms of performance, quality and cost of ownership,” says Bob Christensen, general manager of Kirkland, Wash.-based Kenworth and Paccar vice president. “On behalf of our customers and dealers, Kenworth is very honored to earn all three 2007 Class 8 product segment awards presented by J.D. Power and Associates. Kenworth employees take great pride in designing and building the World’s Best products.”
“Kenworth’s engineering investments have focused on providing outstanding new innovative products that exceed customer expectations and contribute to their efficient operating results,” says Mike Dozier, Kenworth chief engineer. “The new Kenworth T660, Kenworth Clean Power no-idle system and medium-duty hybrid trucks have set the industry standard for enhanced performance and improved customer profitability.”
Medium-duty production
Kenworth T270 and T370 applications include food and beverage distributors, propane and fuel fleets, towing and recovery operators, general construction and landscape firms, and dry, refrigerated and side-curtain van operations. Kenworth’s medium-duty product line also will continue to include the K260 Class 6 and K360 Class 7 cabover models.
“The Kenworth T270 Class 6 and T370 Class 7 models will provide outstanding quality, performance and durability, and are great additions to Kenworth’s medium-duty product line,” says Gary Moore, Kenworth assistant general manager for marketing and sales. “Customers will appreciate the world-class lighting system, stylish hood and grille, and excellent value for a wide range of medium-duty applications.”
Both models are available with the Paccar PX-6 engine rated to 325 hp and 750 lb-ft of torque, and with the Paccar PX-8 engine rated to 330 hp and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. Customers can choose manual or automatic transmissions and air or hydraulic brakes. Both models offer many exhaust options for the various wheelbases, especially important to body builders that work with medium-duty customers.
Kenworth says the T270 and T370 feature new halogen projector low-beam headlamps with 30 percent more light down the road and three times longer life than sealed beam headlamps. The hood is made of sheet-molded composite for enhanced fit and finish, while a new hood assist device and 90-degree hood tilt opening are intended to offer superior access to the engine compartment for ease of service. A one-piece chrome or painted bumper and new Metton quarter fenders are designed to provide additional durability and impact resistance.
Inside is an ergonomically-friendly, wrap-around instrument panel with large, easy-to-read glare-free gauges, the company says. The fully trimmed cab is designed to be quiet with no doghouse, which helps to greatly reduce interior noise. Standard features include power door locks, passenger-side electric windows (optional on the driver’s side) and Kenworth DayLite doors with peeper window. Drivers also will appreciate the 50-degree wheel cut for excellent maneuverability.
