Westport Innovations Inc., a provider of natural gas engines, announced that it has acquired BAF Technologies, Inc. (BAF) and its subsidiary, ServoTech Engineering, Inc., subsidiaries of Clean Energy Fuels Corp. for $25 million in Westport stock. Westport and Clean Energy also announced a $5 million joint marketing and sales program.

Westport said it believes that the amalgamation will create the largest product portfolio and largest market presence in the North American light-duty natural gas vehicle (NGV) space. Specifically, Westport’s position as Ford’s largest partner under the Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program with over 10 products and approximately 150 Ford authorized dealerships. The transaction allows both Westport and Clean Energy to focus on the significant growth opportunities as natural gas emerges as a global fuel for transportation.   

BAF supports clients with vehicle conversions through the Ford QVM program and aftermarket conversion products, alternative fuel systems, application engineering, service and warranty support. ServoTech offers a total engineering solution from initial concept phase to prototype hardware and final prove-out, including design and development of electronic products, software development, automotive exhaust simulation and testing, spark-ignition gasoline and diesel emissions technology, and offers technical training and education in a variety of subject areas, according to Westport.

Currently, Westport exclusively installs the natural gas Westport WiNG Power System on the Ford F-250 through F-550 series at its assembly center in Louisville, KY. This acquisition increases Westport’s product range with the Ford line to include transit, cargo shuttle and taxi vehicles, and dedicated natural gas vehicles for markets such as California. BAF has been producing a broad list of natural gas vehicle conversions for more than a decade and recently produced its 20,000th compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle conversion, according to Westport. Westport will continue to install the Westport WiNG Power System and the increased volume of orders expected through BAF will create economies of scale, and the BAF network will allow more flexibility in producing speciality configurations.

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