Advanced Engine Components Limited (AEC) is a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX Code: ACE). It has its corporate and research headquarters in Perth, Western Australia. It has recently appointed a General Manager and staff for its newly-established office and assembly facility in Beijing, China.

AEC was established in 1984 to undertake research, development and commercialisation of electronic fuel injection and engine management technologies designed to increase engine power while meeting – or improving on – international exhaust emission standards.

Over the past 20 years AEC has invested more than AUD27 million in its operations, and has received recognition via a number of prestigious awards, including the Australian Energy Award, Western Australian Energy Efficiency Award and the C Y O'Connor Award for Engineering Excellence.

AEC's flagship product is the patented Natural Gas Vehicle System (NGVS) a multi-point sequential electronic gas injection system, which enables engines to be adapted (on the production line or in retro-fit) to use natural gas.

The system is ideally suited for the city bus and truck fleets, where its low emission levels and operating economies are key benefits. From an environmental viewpoint, engines incorporating NGVS not only conform to the Euro 3 standard currently in use, but already meet the emission requirements of Euro 4, not due to be applied in Europe until later in 2005.

The patented AEC technology has an impressive track record. It is in everyday use in nearly 650 buses in Europe and Australia. Collectively, these vehicles have clocked more than 60 million kilometres in commercial service.

AEC is the sole supplier of natural gas technology and components for Renault engines to the leading French transport vehicle manufacturer Irisbus. The system is also used on engines manufactured by German companies Mercedes-Benz and MAN, and Hungarian company RABA. AEC provides components of Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) standard and is a Quality Endorsed Company certified to 1S0 9001:2000.

In order to service the identified demand in the Asia Pacific region for heavy-duty engines running on natural gas (NG), AEC has established strategic partnerships with two major Chinese companies, and has established an office and assembly facility in Beijing.

In conjunction with First Auto Works (FAW), the largest engine and vehicle manufacturer in China, AEC has completed the successful development of a heavy-duty NG-powered engine for use in buses and trucks. The engine is currently being field-trialled to achieve final certification for use in China. Following certification, manufacture of the engines will commence for the local and export markets. This will be followed by two further engine series for FAW.

AEC has a similar arrangement in place with another major Hong Kong listed Chinese engine manufacturer, Weichai, and development work on kits for two series of Weichai engines is well advanced at AEC's Perth plant and in China.

AEC continues to be active in Australia and is currently, as part of a consortium, developing natural gas engines for use in trucks.