Cummins JV with Westport Innovations, Inc

[gathomas]

Approx a year ago Cummins signed a joint venture agreement with a Vancouver company, Westport Innovations, inc. This company is a Global leader in NG & CNG conversion & factory installation of these systems.



That Cummins signed a JV agreement with Westport should speak volumes about this company. I don't think that Cummins would jump into bed with just some fly by night company.



My take on this is... . with the possibility of Diesel fuel moving to $5. 00 and beyond, EPA constraints, ... fill in the blank. We are on the verge of a Natural Gas glut in this country... via Marcellus Shale and other fields, we will be the Saudi Arabia of NG, exporting to other countries.



Apparently Cummins sees the handwriting on the wall. Why else would they entertain this JV ?? Cummins is a top notch company, not run by a bunch of fools.



This could be the start of a major shift in Fuel usage in the USA... we all know propane, NG & CNG is nothing new, they've been in use for years, just not widespread.



If this interests you, go to Goggle or Yahoo Finance and research this JV.

 

[rscurtis]

NG or LNG is a good engine fuel- for fleets that have their own refueling station. It has a cost benefit compared to diesel, but no emissions benefit like it used to have 10-15 years ago when the cost of the fuels was about the same. For a private user, I don't see any benefit at all. Imagine the size of the tank you'ld need to get the 800 mile cruising range that my signature truck has- there would be no room left for anything else. And you would basically need that range to get to the next fueling station- if you can find it. This isn't something you'ld want in your attached garage, either.