Westport Innovations Inc. (USA) (WPRT), Clean Energy Fuels Corp (CLNE), Ford Motor Company (F) & More Companies Driving Over OPEC’s Wallet

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Clean Energy Fuels Corp (NASDAQ:CLNE) also provides natural gas fuel for fleet vehicles, retrofits vehicles to burn natural gas and owns a landfill that generates so-called biomethane. Recent announcements include the opening of natural gas fuel stations in Hartford, Conn., Baltimore/Washington Airport and as many as 20 stations operated by Lehigh Gas Partners (NYSE:LGP). No wonder a spokesman stated that Clean Energy Fuels Corp (NASDAQ:CLNE) “couldn’t be happier” with the progress the company is making.

Since its IPO in 2007, Clean Energy Fuels Corp (NASDAQ:CLNE) stock has risen and fallen and now trades at around $13 a share, same as it did in the summer of 2007. This past quarterly earnings announcement included a surprise profit – only the third time in the past three years. Deliveries increased 14% but revenues came in below expectations. Clean Energy continues to emphasize the growing sales of new natural gas engines for long haul trucks and the likes of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) using them.

Fuel efficiency from … Ford?

Believe it or not, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) offers a variety of fuel efficient cars. Specifically, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) offers two plug-in hybrids, two hybrids, eight vehicles featuring its EcoBoost technology and one electric car. In Canada, two popular pick-up trucks feature a natural gas engine option. Even better for investors, Ford’s market share of hybrid rose from 3% to 18% over the past year and sales of its two plug-in hybrids equaled those of the Prius plug-in.

As an investment, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) recently reported its 15th consecutive quarter of profits led by strong sales of the Focus, Fiesta and F series pick-up truck. While North America, Asia and Africa led the sales increase, European results, predictably, and currency exchange rates in Venezuela weighed down results. 2013 looks like more of the same: growth in North America, Asia and Africa with Europe downsizing and South America suffering from political uncertainty in Venezuela and Argentina. Selling at less than 10 times earnings, a PEG of just under 1.0, $2.2 billion in free cash flow and a 2.8% dividend, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)seems to have limited downside risk.


Final Foolish Thoughts

Natural gas as a vehicle fuel could play a major role in the decline of US oil imports. Improved vehicle mileage from hybrid or Ford’s EcoBoost technology also will reduce foreign oil demand. Can Westport Innovations Inc. (USA) (NASDAQ:WPRT) or Clean Energy hang on until enough natural gas vehicles and fueling stations come online?

Of the two, Clean Energy looks better positioned to produce profits and returns to shareholders sooner than Westport. Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) should slowly grow with the North American and Asian economies, helped by several high mileage vehicles. The growth will be slow and patience required.

The article 3 Companies Driving Over OPEC’s Wallet originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Robert Zimmerman.

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