Torino, Italy

Industry members have been kept busy during a week of events at the 2nd NGV World Fair, held in Torino, Italy this week. Three days of exhibitions, two days of conference proceedings, a technical tour as well as meetings of NGVA Europe and the IANGV left little time for sightseeing at the event. Organisers report that more than 1,000 visitors attended the exhibition on the first day which also included a free conference program featuring speakers on policy, product and programs. Fiat took center stage for the event, held at the Ligotto Fiere, next door to Fiat's postwar factory, which now serves as a shopping centre and hotel complex. The event proved an opportunity to highlight Fiat's dominance in the natural gas vehicle market, with 75% of market share in Italy and 60% of market share in Europe.

Other events during the week included a technical tour of the Fiat Research Centre, which included a preview of Fiat's technology road map, and refuelling facilities for GTT, Torino's public transport operator which operates a fleet of CNG buses.

Recently formed European association NGVA Europe also had their Annual General Meeting and a meeting of their Executive, as did the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles, IANGV. IANGV head, Rich Kolodziej, spoke at the conference, outlining IANGV's world view for the industry and highlighting the role of industry membership in fostering growth. THe IANGV has a goal of doubling the number of national associations between June 2008 and 2009.