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2 October 2008
AUSTRALIAN LPG MARKET GROWTH
With high gasoline
costs of the recent months, the demand for LPG vehicles and conversions
had risen significantly.
In figures released this week by LPG Australia,
there has been an 18.9% increase in the number of LPG conversions
up to the end of August this year compared to the same period last
year, representing some 74,038 units.
In the period of June to August, the conversion
rate rose to 42% compared to the same period last year.
The market is expected to continue to grow,
according to an article published by LPG Australia:
"The conversion rate has been trending
up during the year in direct parallel with the rise in petrol
and diesel prices," said LPG Australia's Industry Development
Manager, Phil Westlake.
"The rapid rise in the price of petrol
has clearly shocked consumers and many are actively looking for
ways to reduce their fuel bill."
Mr Westlake said the increase in the number
of consumers wanting to convert to LPG has coincided with the
greater availability of new LPG systems for a wider variety of
cars.
"Traditionally, most LPG conversions
were for large family cars and four-wheel drives, but I think
it's a sign of the times that we are now seeing growing demand
for the conversion of four-cylinder cars," said Mr Westlake.
LPG conversion rates have grown dramatically
since the Federal Government introduced a grants scheme in August
2006 to subsidise private motorists wanting to switch to Autogas.
In 2005 34,201 private vehicles were converted
to run on Autogas, rising to 92,489 in 2007.
"On current trends we would expect the
conversion total to exceed 110,000 vehicles in 2008," said
Mr Westlake.
Mr Westlake said the boom in conversions
is being more than matched by the trend in new LPG vehicle sales
to private buyers, which are up 60.3 per cent compared to the
same period last year.
Australia has been leading the
world in the recent rush to LPG, but other countries are catching
up."
Report is printed with courtesy
of LPG Australia.
Orbital Gas Products (OGP) supplies LPG Conversion
kits and parts to over 500 businesses in Australia and New Zealand
and has been supplying products and services to Ford since the mid
1990's. The Ford EGAS Falcon sedans, station-wagons and utility
vehicles are the only factory fitted Dedicated LPG vehicle available
in Australia.
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