Cummins Westport receives orders for 40 engines for Baltimore and Dallas Airports
VANCOUVER, March 19 -- Cummins Westport Inc., a joint venture of Cummins Inc. and Westport Innovations Inc. (TSX:WPT) announced today that it has received two orders for a total of 40 low-emissions C Gas Plus natural gas engines for airport shuttle buses.
Baltimore Washington International Airport has ordered 25 Cummins Westport 8.3-liter C Gas Plus engines in 40-foot low-floor buses manufactured by NEOPLAN USA Corp. of Lamar, Colorado. The buses, to be delivered by September 2003, will carry travelers between the airport's newly constructed car rental facility and the airport. Baltimore Washington International Airport currently operates a fleet of 76 diesel buses, and these new natural gas buses will expand the airport's fleet. After this order, 25 percent of the fleet will operate on natural gas. The Maryland Aviation Administration (which owns and operates the airport) plans to have 100% of its bus fleet operating on compressed natural gas by the summer of 2005, said Richard Keen, Director of Transportation. The local Cummins distributor involved with the order is Cummins Power Systems of Baltimore, Maryland.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport has ordered 15 Cummins Westport 8.3-liter C Gas Plus engines in 30-foot, low-floor EZ-Rider buses manufactured by ElDorado National of Chino, California. The buses are scheduled for delivery by October 2003 and will carry travelers between the airport, parking lots and the railway station. These new buses will complement eight other ElDorado National buses with low-emissions C Gas Plus engines that have been in service at the airport since November 2002. The Dallas Fort Worth Airport operates 38 buses, and after this order, over 90 percent of its fleet will be natural gas-powered. The local Cummins distributor responsible for the order is Cummins Southern Plains Ltd. of Arlington, TX. ElDorado National is a unit of Thor Industries Inc. of Jackson Center, Ohio.
Frank Hogan, Fleet Superintendent for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport said, "In four months, the eight C Gas Plus-powered buses in our fleet have clocked a total of 267,000 miles without any operating issues. We are pleased with the engine's performance and look forward to further demonstrating our commitment to improving air quality as we move to our goal of a 100 percent natural gas bus fleet."
The C Gas Plus engine is a state-of-the-art spark-ignited natural gas engine that incorporates technology improvements developed by Cummins Westport to lower emissions and improve performance. It is certified to emit 28% less oxides of nitrogen and non-methane hydrocarbons and 90% less particulate matter than the ceilings established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which came into effect in October last year. The engine also produces less greenhouse gases and is nearly 12 decibels quieter than equivalent diesel engines.
Cummins Inc. is a global power leader in engines, electrical power generation systems and related technologies. Westport Innovations Inc. is the leading developer of natural gas fuel systems for diesel engines. Cummins Westport Inc., formed in 2001, develops and markets low-emissions alternative fuel vehicle engines manufactured by Cummins. The C Gas Plus engine is manufactured for Cummins Westport by Cummins at a plant in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements about Cummins and Westport business and technology development plans based on the current expectations of management of both companies. Cummins and Westport caution investors that due to risks and uncertainties, actual events may differ materially from current expectations.
For further information, please contact: Cummins Westport: Moira Chicilo, Communications Manager Phone: 604-718-2046 Email: mchicilo@westport.com Web: www.westport.com Cummins: Jason Rawlings, Director of Public Relations Phone 812-377-7719, Email: Jason.F.Rawlings@Cummins.com Web www.cummins.com