AN LPG vehicle production plant at Geelong has picked up a $60,000 study grant from the State Government.
The four-month study will look at large-scale manufacturing and conversion facilities and the benefits of a research and innovation centre for automotive LPG technologies.
The Australian auto industry has experienced a decline in the number of LPG conversions, which has impacted
sales, businesses and jobs in the sector, and led to uncertainty around future demand for LPG vehicles, the State Government said.
The study would look at the current and future LPG vehicle market, key factors around vehicle procurement by fleet managers, and economic and technology factors influencing the uptake of
LPG vehicles in Australia.
“Developing LPG manufacturing and conversion facilities and a centre of excellence would secure the automotive
industry and jobs in Geelong,” Treasurer Tim Pallas said.
“It will tell us whether or not the proposal will work.”
Industry Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the project could mean investments and export opportunities, create high skill engineering and manufacturing
jobs and provide jobs for displaced workers from conventional auto manufacturing.
