Westport Innovations Reaches High Volume Production Capability for HD Fuel Injectors through Deal with Delphi

Westport Innovations Inc. has reached high volume scale production capability in a deal with one of the world’s largest diesel injector manufacturers, Delphi Automotive Systems, LLC, to supply Westport’s proprietary HD fuel injectors. Production is expected to begin in the second half of 2010.

Delphi provides the production scale-up capability that gives us a major boost in matching the industry’s growth. The secure, scalable supply of our specialized injectors will allow us to reach economies-of-scale in production and costs required by our heavy duty engine OEM customers.

—Brad Douville, Westport’s Vice President, Engine Fuel Systems Business

Westport HPDI (high-pressure direct injection) technology uses natural gas as the primary fuel, along with a small amount of diesel as an ignition source. The patented injector features a dual-concentric needle. It allows for small quantities of diesel fuel and large quantities of natural gas to be delivered at high pressure to the combustion chamber.

HPDI allows diesel-cycle operation with approximately 95% replacement of diesel fuel (by energy). This technology uses a cheaper, cleaner-burning fuel than diesel with no compromises on engine torque, power, fuel economy, or driveability while reducing NO_x by 33% and greenhouse gases by about 20%.