Metro Link by Winnebago Industries Includes Alternative

FOREST CITY, IA --(Marketwired - September 03, 2014) - Winnebago Industries, Inc. ( NYSE : WGO ), a leading U.S. manufacturer of recreation vehicles, has announced a new Go Green initiative with the Company's Metro Link bus. Propane Autogas is becoming the Green Alternative Fuel of choice by hundreds of fleet accounts across North America. Winnebago Industries joined this effort with new Bi-Fuel and Dedicated LPG product offerings in their entire Metro Link bus lineup for the public and private transportation industry. 

ICOM North America has partnered with Winnebago Industries and their Official Distributor, "Metro Worldwide," for installation and distribution of ICOM Bi-Fuel and Mono-fuel Liquid Propane Injection System for installation in the Winnebago Metro Link Bus products for use in the transportation industry. This partnership will allow Alternative LPG Fuel Work Ready Equipment from the factory to the dealers and end users. Metro Worldwide will also offer ICOM LPG conversions for existing bus fleets as well as full line Sales, Service, Installation and Warranty Services. 

A Bi-Fuel LPG Metro Link bus will be on display in the PERC Booth at the upcoming BUSCON Expo in Indianapolis, IN September 15-17, 2014.

According to the Propane Energy Resource Commission (PERC), the key advantages of Propane Autogas are:

• Save Green with Lower Fuel Costs
• Go Green with a Domestic U.S. Fuel Source
• Go Green with a Clean Fuel Resource
• Go Green with Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Save Green with Low Infrastructure Costs
• Save Green with Large National Fueling Infrastructure

There are many advantages to utilizing Propane Autogas, also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or LP, such as reduced exhaust emissions and fuel cost savings. Propane is a Natural Gas Liquid which is handled at a much lower pressure, 312 PSI maximum as compared to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at 3,600 PSI, in vehicle applications.

Propane Autogas is classified as an Alternative Fuel by the US Department of Energy (DOE). Propane Autogas can reduce exhaust emissions by 30% to 50% versus gasoline and even more versus diesel fuels. No more black soot to breathe resulting in happier drivers, customers and communities. 

When purchased as a fleet fuel solution, Propane Autogas also usually offers a 30% to 50% fuel cost savings when compared to gasoline and an even greater benefit when compared to diesel fuel. 

About Winnebago Industries, Inc. - "The Most Recognized Name In Motor Homes ^® ", is a leading U.S. manufacturer of recreation vehicles, which are used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities. The Company and its subsidiary build quality motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheel products, and transit buses under the Winnebago, Itasca, Winnebago Touring Coach and Metro brand names. Winnebago Industries has received the Quality Circle Award from the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association every year since the award's inception in 1996.

About ICOM

ICOM North America, a pioneer and manufacturer of the patented JTG II propane liquid injection system, has partnered with Propane Fuel Supply Companies such as; Amerigas, Ferreligas, Suburban Propane and many independent propane companies who can provide on-site fleet propane fueling infrastructure and wholesale Autogas Fleet Pricing. Often the fueling infrastructure costs can be built into the fuel price and fuel contracts so there is little out-of-pocket costs for fleet operators. That provides added savings and added convenience with fleet owners' own on-site fuel station.

ICOM's patented Bi-Fuel or Mono-fuel Liquid Injections System are utilized by fleets across the USA and Canada including many Federal, State, County and City Law Enforcement Municipalities and other private industry fleets. ICOM has over 12,000 systems in use in North America including approximately 1,000 units on the EPA Certified system for the Ford V-10 Engines. Many vehicles utilizing the ICOM System have achieved over 500,000 miles. By injecting propane as a Liquid into the manifold the vehicle will have equal or better performance and torque than gasoline. In addition by injecting the propane as a liquid results in a cold charge which lowers intake temperatures and help to extend the life of the engine. ICOM systems are EPA Certified and meet NFPA 58, DOT FMVSS 303 and Canadian IGAC for safety, durability and to temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit. ICOM systems have also been successfully Crash Tested on many vehicles in the USA and in Europe.

Older technology propane systems offer vapor injection which often have performance, cold start and increased intake temperatures issues, all of which could lead to valve recession problems. With the patented ICOM Liquid Injection system all of these issues are eliminated.

Most fleets chose the Bi-Fuel version of the ICOM systems where gasoline is utilized on vehicle start and as the back-up fuel and LPG as the primary operational fuel. Vehicle range is often doubled when combining the LPG primary range with the gasoline back-up fuel range. The result is the driver is able to get in and go and not spend a lot of time refueling.

Fuel cost savings are huge with Propane Vehicles. A great example of savings for transit bus industry is the staple Ford E450 which in fleets typically average 60,000 miles per year in usage, at a conservative estimate of 7 mpg, have a total annual fuel consumption of 8,571 gallons per year. Using an average gasoline fuel cost of $3.50 per gallon multiplied by the 8,571 gallons of fuel consumed, the annual fuel costs are $29,998.50. 

Due to the BTU's difference between gasoline and propane there is a loss of 10% in fuel consumption so with an ICOM Bi-Fuel LPG system installed on the same vehicle, average fuel mileage is 6 mpg for annual consumption of 10,000 gallons. At an LPG average fuel price of $1.95 per gallon you have an annual fuel cost of $19,500. The result is a total savings of $10,498.50 per vehicle per year. Your return on investment is under twelve months. With a fleet of ten units you would save $104,985 per year in fuel costs alone.

Additionally, when a vehicle is being sold or taken out of your fleet the ICOM system can be removed and installed in a similar vehicle. The fuel tanks have a 15 year life so your investment in an ICOM LPG system can return savings for many years and many vehicles.

The ICOM System is EPA Certified, your manufacturer warranty stays in effect and the system itself has a 2 year/70,000 mile limited warranty.

ICOM North America has partnered with Winnebago Industries and their Official Distributor, "Metro Worldwide" for Installation and distribution of ICOM Bi-Fuel and Mono-fuel Liquid Propane Injection System for installation in the Winnebago Metro Link Bus products for use in the transportation industry. This partnership will allow Alternative LPG Fuel Work Ready Equipment from the factory to the dealers and end users. Metro Worldwide will also offer ICOM LPG conversions for your existing bus fleets as well as full line Sales, Service, Installation and Warranty Services.