Bangkok--30 Nov--Aziam Burson-Marsteller Adventurers Rainer Zietlow and Franz Janusiewicz set off Monday, 17th September on a CNG marathon from Berlin to Bangkok, in the same Volkswagen Caddy that set the Guinness World Record for their EcoFuel World Tour in 2006. The Asia tour, sponsored by Volkswagen and co-sponsored by Swagelok Company, a major developer and provider of fluid system component technologies for the alternative fuels industry amongst others, took the team over 20,000 km across the Ural Mountains to Turkey, Egypt, India and Nepal and further on to China, Vietnam and ultimately Thailand. Swagelok supplied vital parts for the Caddy’s engine, which were key to the success of the recent World Record EcoFuel Tour. “The EcoFuel Asia Tour has been a great success and we congratulate the Team on their impressive achievement. The rough terrain was a true test for both the Caddy and the team, and now that they have arrived in Bangkok, they can share their experiences at the ANGVA 2007 conference taking place at BITEC,” said Peter Ehlers, Manager for alternative fuels markets at Swagelok and VP of the Executive Committee and Council for the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV). “Volkswagen choose Swagelok tube fittings, valves and hoses as reliability and safety is paramount. So, in addition to co-sponsoring the event, Swagelok technology provided a vital contribution to the Ecofuel Asia Tour.” One of the highlights of the EcoFuel Asia Tour was the journey through the Tibetan Highlands with several 5,000-metre mountain passes. The VW Caddy EcoFuel was the first European CNG vehicle to visit China over land. During its final stage, the expedition followed the Chinese coast and then travelled to Bangkok, Thailand, where the CNG adventurers presented their Tour at the Conference of the Asia Pacific Natural Gas Vehicles Association (ANGVA). Throughout the more than ten weeks of the Tour, the Caddy visited Swagelok sales and service centers on route for customer and media events.The Tour also raised funds for two SOS charity children's villages in Nepal and Tibet, which support abandoned children and orphans, as well as disadvantaged families. Zietlow visited both villages and presented the funds in person. “Swagelok is proud of our support of this outstanding activity and we are extremely pleased that the EcoFuel Asia proved to be a complete success. This reinforces the message that natural gas is a viable and more environmentally friendly fuel for vehicles across Asia,” concluded Mr. Ehlers. Information on the Tour can be found on the website www.ecofuel-asia-tour.com Siyan LiSwagelok Company(+86) [email protected] PRESS CONTACT:Jeremy PlotnickNattakarn Chamsuwanwong Aziam Burson-Marsteller+66-2-252-9871jeremy.plotnick@[email protected]