|
Past
ASX Release
18 June 2008
$1.1 MILLION SALE TO WEICHAI IN CHINA
Advanced Engine Components Limited ("ACE") is pleased
to announce an order for over 300 natural gas vehicle system ("NGVS") kits from Weifang Weichai Peterson Gas
Co Ltd ("Weichai") in China.
The NGVS kits, with a sale value exceeding $1.1 million,
are due for delivery over a three month period commencing 30 June 2008. Due to lead times to acquire the
necessary components and requirements to fill existing orders it is likely delivery will occur in August/September
2008.
The current order will bring to 671 the total number of
ACE NGVS kits delivered to Weichai since 1 July 2007. The current order exceeds the total number of NGVS kits
purchased by Weichai for the whole FY2008. This growth reflects the increasing demand for natural gas ("NG")
engines throughout the Chinese market.
The Weichai group, one of China's five largest heavy
duty engine manufacturers, produces and sells over 300,000 engines, mainly diesel, each year.
As well as Weichai, ACE has production arrangements
with two of China's other four major heavy duty engine manufacturers. ACE has additional arrangements with
two smaller Chinese NG engine builders that acquire the base engine and all components, including the NGVS
from ACE, from third parties.
China's use of NG is expected to increase by over
300% in the next 15 years. This growth is being driven by price and stability considerations of NG compared
to diesel and environmental considerations.
The Chinese Government recently stated in the draft
"China Medium and Long Term Energy Conservation Plan" that one of the 10 most important energy conservation
projects is "to promote NG use for buses and taxis". The use of NG will leverage China’s existing reserves,
reduce reliance on imported oil and improve air quality in cities.
To further encourage the use of NG, the Chinese
Government has proposed a Fuel Tax Regulation by which NG vehicles are expected to be taxed on a "half-tax"
bracket compared to vehicles powered by gasoline or diesel.
Internationally, industry projections show that at a
conservative growth rate of 18%pa there will be 65 million NG vehicles by 2020. This represents 9% of the
world's vehicle population and reduces oil demand by 7 million barrels per day.
ACE is on target to increase FY2007 revenues by more
than 50% in FY2008. The current Weichai order, together with known international demand, demonstrates
further growth throughout FY2009.
For further information please contact:
Tony Middleton (Managing Director) on (08) 9209 6900; or
Email: shares@advancedengine.com
|