I recently chatted with Craig Duffy, Fleet Sales Marketing Manager of Westport LD about some good news on the road for Ford pick-up trucks and CNG.
I understand that Westport LD is working with a certain house-hold name to convert select pick-up trucks to be available to an even wider audience?
Craig: Westport LD is working directly with Ford Motor Company to begin offering compressed natural gas (CNG) bi-fuel power systems.
Can you share what models you’re beginning with? Ford Super Duty F250/ F350 pick up models. Like Ford, Westport LD will be doing thorough testing (crash, drive-ability, high altitude, steep grade, towing, shaker, hot, cold, EPA and CARB certified emissions) to assure that the durability and reliability of this system matches the Ford product itself. The system (we call it WiNG) will carry the exact warranty as the Ford pickup that it powers and will be installed on vehicles in Louisville, Kentucky, adjacent to the Ford assembly plant. Vehicles will arrive at authorized Ford Dealers on regular Ford transport trucks.
This is kind of exciting, and great for the industry. Can you tell me how this new option will be executed?
It is exciting. In addition, Westport LD is offering Ford dealers an opportunity to increase their business by selling natural gas powered Ford pick up trucks. This will allow them to sell vehicles to the ever-increasing market demand for vehicles that operate on an alternative fuel. And compressed natural gas is both less expensive than gasoline and it is domestically produced. So it’s a real win-win.
For those new to the Westport brand, can you give a brief review of your offering?
Westport Innovations has over 15 years in the gaseous industry, and is the global leader. Westport Innovations offers solutions in three distinct areas:
- Westport HD, which makes over the road tractor trailer engines
- Cummins-Westport, which is a joint partnership with Cummins, and makes transit bus engines and vocational truck engines, and then
- Westport LD, this new division.
Units go from the Ford Louisville Truck Plant to the Westport facility, the power system is installed, and then returned to Ford for shipment directly to the ordering dealer.
We do all the same testing that Ford does, including crash, altitude, hot and cold start, shaker, wind tunnel, and water-fording. Pricing for the unit is $9,750 MSRP with the standard 18.4 GGE fuel cylinder (an optional 24 GGE tank is available for an additional $1,200). Our entire business model calls for us to be as close to OEM as possible.
Aside from this innovation, what role does Westport LD intend to play?
Westport LD is inviting Ford Dealers across the country to become a Westport Authorized Distributor to sell and service these vehicles. Each Westport Authorized Distributor will complete specific Sales Training, Service/Parts Training and Facilities Requirements Training, enabling seasoned shops to get the necessary tools to be successful in selling Ford Super Duty pickups equipped with the WiNG power system.
How does a Ford Dealer become a Westport Distributor?
To become a distributor:
- A representative from the dealership is required to attend our sales training
- The next training will be held February 21st in Detroit, MI
- To help offset the cost, Westport LD will issue a $500 credit toward the cost of the first WiNG power system sold.
- Vehicle Service Training is also required, and will be held at the dealership location
- No parts stocking is required, as any necessary parts will be overnighted directly to the dealership
- Some special tools may be required
- Facility upgrades may be required in order to meet Federal laws, and the local fire marshal has the responsibility to confirm that the dealer’s maintenance facility complies with those laws
Dealers who are interested should contact me:
Craig Duffy
Fleet Sales Marketing Manager
cduffy@westport.com
(734) 233-6871 (office)
(248) 686-9223 (cell)
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