~ BRC LPG systems to be fully integrated into the
new Honda Civic ECO ~
VANCOUVER, Sept. 27, 2016 /CNW/ - Westport Fuel Systems Inc.
("Westport Fuel Systems") (TSX:WPT / Nasdaq:WPRT) today
announced the signing of a new multi-year agreement between a
distributor of Westport Fuel Systems and Honda Turkey to supply
liquefied petroleum gas ("LPG") systems for the new Civic
ECO model that will be launched in October
2016. The new Civic ECO will be fully integrated inside the
Honda Turkey factory through a delayed original equipment
manufacturer ("DOEM") business model using BRC Gas
Equipment's ("BRC") Sequent Plug & Drive LPG system, a
gaseous, fully sequential, port injection system. The Sequent Plug
& Drive system is one of the most successful LPG injection
systems produced by BRC and sold to several other DOEM and OEM
customers worldwide.
Since 2011 Honda has offered its customers in Turkey LPG after-market conversions for the
Civic Sedan model through the BRC Turkey dealer network. Due to the
high demand and popularity, Honda began converting the Civic Sedan
LPG version through a DOEM business model in 2015, locally
supported by 2A Mühendislik A.Ş. ("2A"), an LPG system
distributor in Turkey.
"BRC has become one of the key players in the LPG automotive
conversion market in Turkey given
their product's reliability and driveability," stated Can Eroskay,
Assistant General Manager Customer Service, Honda Turkey.
"Following on the success of the Civic Sedan LPG version, we
believe the new Civic ECO will have strong demand from customers
who seek the environmental benefits of LPG vehicles, without
compromising the performance and quality that Honda brings."
"Honda has been at the forefront of the alternative fuel vehicle
market in Turkey," said
Marco Seimandi, Sales &
Marketing Director, Automotive Division, Westport Fuel Systems.
"Their commitment to use BRC's LPG system on the Civic ECO combined
with support from 2A will enable us to increase our share in this
fast growing market."
According to the Local Chambers of Engineers in Turkey and Westport Fuel Systems' analysis,
Turkey has over 4 million vehicles
running on LPG or 27% of the total vehicle population as at the end
of 2015, which makes it the largest population of LPG vehicles in
Europe. Turkey also has more than 2,400 LPG fueling
stations.
BRC Gas Equipment is a well-established brand owned by Westport
Fuel Systems Inc. with sole distributors in more than 70
countries and an extensive network of installation centres. Based
in in Cherasco, Italy, BRC Gas
Equipment develops, manufactures and markets components and systems
for converting vehicles from petrol to LPG and compressed natural
gas.
About Westport Fuel Systems
Westport Fuel Systems
engineers, manufactures and supplies the world's most advanced
alternative fuel systems and components. More than that, we are
fundamentally changing the way the world travels the roads, rails
and seas. Our innovative and cost-effective solutions maintain
performance while improving efficiency and reducing emissions.
Offering a variety of leading brands for transportation and
industrial applications, we serve customers in over 70 countries,
including some of the world's largest and fastest growing markets.
To learn more about our business, visit wfsinc.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements,
including statements regarding the timing for and availability of
the LPG system for the Civic ECO model, emissions reductions, the
demand for our products, the future success of our business and
technology strategies, investment in new product and technology
development and otherwise, intentions of partners and potential
customers, the performance and competitiveness of Westport Fuel
Systems' products and expansion of product coverage, future market
opportunities and timing of future agreements as well as Westport
Fuel Systems management's response to any of the aforementioned
factors. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on
both the views of management and assumptions that may cause our
actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to
be materially different from any future results, levels of
activities, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by
these forward looking statements. These risks and uncertainties
include risks and assumptions related to our industry and products,
the general economy, governmental policies and regulation,
technology innovations, the availability and price of natural gas,
global government stimulus packages, the acceptance of and shift to
natural gas vehicles, the relaxation or waiver of fuel emission
standards, the inability of fleets to access capital or government
funding to purchase natural gas vehicles, the development of
competing technologies, our ability to adequately develop and
deploy our technology, the actions and determinations of our joint
venture and development partners, as well as other risk factors and
assumptions that may affect our actual results, performance or
achievements or financial position discussed in our most recent
Annual Information Form and other filings with securities
regulators. Readers should not place undue reliance on any such
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they
were 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 these forward looking
statements except as required by National Instrument 51-102. The
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SOURCE Westport Fuel Systems Inc.