Westport announces arrival of Isuzu/Westport ELF CNG-DI truck and public display of the prototype vehicle today

VANCOUVER, Sept. 3 -- Westport Innovations Inc. (WPT:TSX) today announced the arrival from Japan and public display in Vancouver of the prototype Isuzu/Westport compressed natural gas (CNG), direct injection (DI) light- to medium-duty truck.

The 4.5-liter ELF CNG-DI is the world's first direct-injection, monofuel, diesel-cycle compressed natural gas truck. More than 100,000 N-series (light- and medium-duty) trucks are produced annually in Japan, 25,000 of which are sold annually in North America under Isuzu and GM brands. The N-series, known as the ELF in Japan, are used for local delivery, food service, towing, light construction, and other business applications.

A joint Westport & Isuzu team of more than thirty people contributed to the prototype CNG-DI truck over four months in Japan, completing and testing the vehicle before it was presented to Isuzu management and Japanese government officials in July. A team from Westport and Isuzu America received the truck in Tacoma, Washington on August 29, after marine transport from Japan.

Coinciding with Westport's AGM, the truck will be displayed today, September 3, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 580 West Hastings Street, Vancouver. Come meet the Westport team involved, who will be available to answer questions.

"We are enthusiastic about the arrival of the Isuzu/Westport ELF to Westport headquarters," said Michael Gallagher, Westport's Chief Operating Officer. "This is an excellent opportunity to showcase the results of our three-year joint technology effort both here in Vancouver and at the international Michelin Challenge Bibendum competition in California."

The ELF CNG-DI will be fine-tuned at Westport headquarters in preparation for the competition later this month. Representatives from Isuzu Japan, Isuzu America, General Motors Isuzu Commercial Truck (GMICT) and Westport are collaborating on the event September 23 to 25 in Sonoma, California (www.challengebibendum.com).

Westport Innovations Inc. is the leading developer of gaseous fuel engine technologies. It develops, manufacturers and sells a wide range of engines for commercial transportation applications such as trucks and buses through Cummins Westport Inc., its joint venture with Cummins Inc. Technology development alliances are in place with a number of other leading engine manufacturers, including Ford, MAN, Isuzu, and BMW.