Hino Trucks, which is partnering with Starcraft Bus to bring a new Type C conventional school bus to the market next year, will back its entire line of 2011 vehicles with a five-year, 250,000 warranty.

A Starcraft spokesman said the new Hino-Starcraft Type C will go into full production in March and will utilize Hino's proprietary diesel engine with SCR technology to meet EPA 2010 emissions requirements without the need for credits.

The company released details today on the warranty, which rivals those from soon-to-be competitors Blue Bird, IC Bus and Thomas Built Buses. In addition to the standard items covered by Hino Trucks’ past engine warranty, the new coverage was expanded to cover key components such as fuel injectors, the fuel injection supply pump and the turbo charger.

Hino also said in a statement today that it received a certification of conformity to the 2010 Emissions Regulation from the EPA and the California Air Resources Board  for all of its engine ratings, announced today a new standard engine warranty of 5 years/250,000 miles. Hino Trucks’ proprietary J-08 Series engine has been recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for two consecutive years for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Conventional Medium Duty Engines and Transmissions.”

“Our engines have been recognized as the medium-duty market leader for quality, durability and reliability. We are confident in our product and we are willing to stand behind it with the industry’s best standard engine warranty,” said Bob McDowell, senior VP of sales and customer support.