Mazda6 LPG Increasing in Popularity with UK Fleets

According to a recent press from Mazda UK, the carmaker is seeing increased demand for the Mazda6 from fleet owners who want to convert their cars to liquefied petroleum gas. The conversions, which are being retrofitted at Prins Autogas UK that has two in-house conversion centers in the West Midlands and Southampton, are expected to see a significant order increase in the near future.

The LPG version of the ‘6’ joins a gas-burning version of the smaller Mazda3, of which three have already been ordered to Gleaner Oils. Mazda is reportedly negotiating with a number of other organizations about supplying cars for LPG conversion purposes.

“Prins Autogas UK undertook the conversion work on behalf of BP after the company ordered its first Mazda models.They were so delighted with the conversion and the styling of the model that they contacted Mazda to say they would like to undertake other conversion work in the future. That triggered significant interest from a number of fleets, including Calor Gas and Gleaner Oils, and we are in talks with a number of other businesses interested in taking delivery of LPG converted Mazdas,” Mazda Fleet and Remarketing Director Peter Allibon said.

Sales of LPG cars peaked in the UK back in 2201, when some 26,000 units were sold. Since then, demand has decreased as the government withdrew grants, which helped offset the additional cost of the vehicles. In 2009, just 12,500 LPG cars were sold in the UK, yet Prins UK say “there is demand for LPG vehicles, particularly in the fleet sector. Conversions cost £1,500 to £2,000 depending on model.  LPG remains significantly cheaper than petrol and businesses will recoup the after-market conversion costs, in most cases, within 18 months.”