Westport Innovations Inc. and Cummins Inc. have signed a Technology Partnership Agreement that creates an arrangement for future technology development between the two companies. In addition, the companies have extended their current joint venture agreement, Cummins Westport Inc.(CWI), to develop markets for alternative fuel engines.
CWI was originally formed as a joint venture company in March 2001 to explore a range of product and technology opportunities using natural gas as fuel. Westport provided personnel, financing and key technologies for the venture, while Cummins provided an existing product line, manufacturing, product distribution and customer service functions, as well as key management and engineering personnel. CWI will continue as a 50:50 joint venture.
CWI's achievements include the development and release of the "Plus" line of mid-range natural gas and propane engines, significant technical achievements in the development of low-emissions engines that maintain high performance and fuel efficiency, successful technology demonstrations in both trucking and power generation and increased product sales in markets around the world, including China, company officials said.
Transit agencies in large cities such as Los Angeles, Tacoma, Boston, San Diego and Washington have selected CWI engines. In China, cities such as Beijing and Xian have placed multiple orders, in addition to six other cities that have received their first shipments in the past year. These eight Chinese cities have a combined transit fleet of nearly 50,000 buses.
