VANCOUVER, July 31, 2012 /CNW/ - Westport Innovations Inc. (TSX:WPT)
(NASDAQ:WPRT), the global leader in natural gas engines, and Pioneer
Natural Resources today announced that Pioneer is adding 225 bi-fuel,
Westport™ WiNG natural gas powered Ford F250 Super Duty trucks to its
fleet.
Pioneer has begun transitioning a number of its fleet vehicles from
gasoline and diesel powered to those able to run on more cost-effective
compressed natural gas (CNG) for light duty, and liquefied natural gas
(LNG) for heavy-duty applications.
"Pioneer strives to lead by example with our commitment to natural gas
vehicles and engines in our own operations," said Jay Still, Executive
Vice President of Domestic Operations at Pioneer. "Transitioning to
natural gas for our fleet fuel is good economics, good for the
environment and good for American jobs."
"Our team at Pioneer has been driving the WiNG powered Ford F250s since
they first became available earlier this year, and we've been impressed
with the simple order process, delivery times, product and the
company," said Lynn Lyon, Manager of Strategic Projects at Pioneer. "I
had a chance to visit the assembly center in June and was impressed
with the team and the highly-sophisticated facility."
Westport LD recently officially opened the Westport Kentucky Integration
Center (WKIC) in Louisville where the natural gas WiNG power systems
are installed on Ford F250 and F350 bi-fuel pickup trucks. With the
ability to run on either natural gas or gasoline, the Ford trucks offer
drivers more than 650 miles of range with two full tanks, and can take
advantage of a low cost, domestic fuel.
"Pioneer is one of our most important customers and we're proud that
they have chosen Westport WiNG quality and our ability to deliver,"
said John Howell, Senior Director of Marketing and Development,
Westport LD. "We're pleased with the industry recognition of Westport
LD so soon after opening our new facility. It's a great vote of
confidence in the WiNG product, and it's encouraging that we're able to
establish a growing market for Ford Super Duty trucks that can be
powered by natural gas."
Westport continues to be recognized as an advanced gaseous fuels
technology partner to global automotive manufacturers. To support a
variety of OEM programs that will enable personal and commercial
vehicles to run on natural gas, Westport LD has recently established
the assembly center in Louisville, and the Michigan Technical Center in
Detroit.
Video of WKIC is available at:
http://www.wingpowersystem.com/media/video/
http://www.youtube.com/WiNGPowerSystem
About Westport Innovations Inc.
Westport Innovations Inc. is a leading global supplier of proprietary
solutions that allow engines to operate on clean-burning fuels such as
compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen,
and renewable natural gas (RNG) fuels such as landfill gas and helps
reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Westport technology offers
advanced LNG fueling systems with direct injection natural gas engine
technology for heavy-duty vehicles such as highway trucks and off-road
applications such as mining and rail. Westport's joint venture with
Cummins Inc., Cummins Westport Inc. designs, engineers and markets
spark-ignited natural gas engines for North American transportation
applications such as trucks and buses. Westport LD division is one of
the global leaders for natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
fuel in passenger cars, light-duty trucks and industrial applications
such as forklifts. To learn more about our business, visit our website
or subscribe to our RSS feed at www.westport.com, or follow us on
Twitter @WestportDotCom.
Note: This document contains forward-looking statements about Westport's
business, operations, technology development or the environment in
which it operates, including statements regarding the number of
WestportTM WiNG natural gas powered Ford F250 Super Duty trucks to be acquired,
which are based on Westport's estimates, forecasts and projections.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, or are beyond
Westport's control. Consequently, readers should not place any undue
reliance on such forward-looking statements. In addition, these
forward-looking statements relate to the date on which they are made.
We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise such statements
to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may
affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set
forth in the forward- looking statements except as required by National
Instrument 51-102. The contents of any website, RSS feed or Twitter
account referenced in this press release are not incorporated by
reference herein.
SOURCE: Westport Innovations Inc.