GYMCL YC6MK natural gas engine
China Yuchai International Limited (China Yuchai), a manufacturer of natural gas engines through its main operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited (GYMCL), has delivered the first batch of C&C heavy-duty trucks fitted with YC6MK340N-40 engines powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) for operation at Muli coal mine in Qinghai Province. The order involves 100 units, and the other 80 will be delivered in succession. The delivery marks China’s first batch of LNG National IV gas engines to be tested in arctic and anoxic environment (at an average altitude of 4,500 meter), on the Tibet plateau.
The delivery is said to mark the debut of LNG new energy heavy-duty trucks carrying Yuchai engines on Tibet Plateau. Earlier this year, China Yuchai completed a successful trial of YC6G260N-40 natural gas engines at the same altitude, mounted in Yutong buses.
China Yuchai says GYMCL natural gas engines have also penetrated the key Shaanxi Province market in North-West China since their introduction in early 2012, with demand coming from municipal bus, tour coach and school bus operators in various Shaanxi municipalities including Yulin, Baoji, Yan’an, Tongchuan and Hanzhong.
The breakthrough came in February 2012, when a first delivery of natural gas powered buses was made to the Bus Industry (Xi’an) Co., Ltd. in Shaanxi Province in February 2012. Since that time a number of the province’s passenger transport and bus companies reportedly started to purchase GYMCL’s natural gas engines for the first time. GYMCL employed an active marketing campaign to publicize the advantages of GYMCL’s natural gas engines such as its superior economy and power, environmental benefits and low noise levels, engaging in frequent communications with the customers to understand their needs and offering an extensive after-sales service and parts network.
One of China Yuchai’s clients, Inner Mongolia Bayannur Coal Washery Haotong Transport Company (Haotong), has reported fuel cost savings in the vicinity of 30% compared to oil fuel. Having successfully introduced 50 LNG-powered trucks into its fleet, Haotong plans to phase in another 250 trucks
GYMCL has also captured a large share of China’s overall natural gas engine market and its gas engine sales for 2012 is expected to increase to 20,000 units compared with the 13,000 units sold in 2011. The Company’s expanding natural gas engine portfolio now ranges from 140hp to 375hp.
Benny Goh, President of China Yuchai, commented, “With the new national energy development program emphasizing natural gas coupled with the increase in fuel prices, demand for our natural gas engines is rising. Shaanxi Province’s central location strongly influences purchasing trends in neighboring vehicle markets, and our success there will help to promote our sales in surrounding regions. We look forward to increasing our production capacity to further extend our leadership from diesel engines into the natural gas engine market.”
