Bombardier Joint Venture Awarded Contract for 40 High-Speed Trainsets
in China
First Application of ZEFIRO Modular Concept Offers China New
Dimension in Overnight Rail Travel
BERLIN, GERMANY--(Marketwire - October 31, 2007) - Bombardier
Transportation announced today that its Chinese joint venture,
Bombardier Sifang Power (Qingdao) Transportation Ltd. (BSP), has
received an order for 40, 16-car, high-speed trainsets (640 cars)
from the Chinese Ministry of Railways (MOR). The order is valued at
approximately 1 billion euros ($1.5 billion US) with Bombardier's
share valued at approximately 413 million euros ($596 million US).
BSP is a joint venture between Bombardier Transportation, Power
Corporation of Canada and China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock
Industry (Group) Corporation.
The contract was signed during today's ceremony in the presence of
Mr. Zhang Shuguang, Deputy Chief Engineer of MOR and Director General
of Transportation Bureau and Laurent Beaudoin, Chairman and CEO,
Bombardier Inc. It is the largest single order for rail passenger
cars placed at one time in Chinese rail history.
The new electric-multiple-unit (EMU) trainsets will be capable of
speeds up to 250 km/h. Twenty of the EMU trains will be specially
designed for overnight service and fitted with sleeping berth
interiors. These trains will feature the world's first EMU sleepers
cars capable of travel up to 250 km/h and will be developed utilizing
core elements of the BOMBARDIER ZEFIRO family of high-speed and very
high-speed products. The new 16-car trains (at an overall length of
430 m) represent a sophisticated mix of new modular concepts and
proven technology in a unique application. The high-speed sleepers
will offer overnight travellers an advanced level of comfort,
convenience and trip-time efficiency in a region where long-distance
train trips are common.
The remaining 20 EMU trains will be upgraded, 16-car versions of
successful eight-car trains now being delivered to the MOR as part of
orders placed in May 2005 and October 2004.
Bombardier's ZEFIRO family of trains specifically address the need
for additional flexibility in next-generation rolling stock. ZEFIRO
train designs introduce new methods for improving operating
efficiency, capacity, interoperability and true cross-border travel.
Bombardier Transportation President Andre Navarri said the contract
further strengthens Bombardier's presence in the high-speed rail
market and underscores its leadership in China.
"It is always good news to sign a contract of this magnitude," said
Navarri, "but especially when the order is based on a customer's
prior positive experience with our products and trust in our
technology leadership. China is one of the most important rail
markets in the world, and we are pleased to be continuing our
positive relationship wth the MOR."
Stephane Rambaud-Measson, President, Bombardier Transportation
Mainline and Metros Division, said "This order is clear recognition
of the high level of reliability reached by Bombardier high-speed
trains already in operation in China, as well as of our ability to
efficiently manage a complex localisation project in a new and very
demanding market. All Chinese Bombardier high-speed trains are
manufactued at our joint venture in Qingdao with very high levels of
contribution from the local rail industry and its expertise."
Jianwei Zhang, President and Chief Country Representative, Bombardier
China, said Bombardier's growing success is based on consistent
market focus and a product portfolio that is well-suited to the
country's vibrant transit sector. "Bombardier has a long-term
commitment to this market, " said Zhang. "We offer one of the
broadest product portfolios in the world and that is apparent in the
spread of contracts we have for high-speed trains, locomotives,
propulsion equipment, commuter trains, automated transit systems,
metro cars, signalling systems and other products. This is a priority
market, and our focus here is showing results."
The new high-speed EMU trains will be manufactured at BSP production
facilities in Qingdao, China. BOMBARDIER MITRAC propulsion systems
for the trains will be jointly produced by Bombardier CPC Propulsion
System Co. Ltd., a Bombardier joint venture based in Changzhou, and
Bombardier facilities in Europe. MITRAC propulsion systems are
included in more than 23,000 rail vehicles worldwide.
First deliveries of the new trains are scheduled for February 2009.
Delivery of the final train is expected August 2010.
Note to editors:
Useful company background facts and contact details follow.
Background facts and figures
Bombardier Recent Rail Contracts in China
Other recent contracts awarded to Bombardier and its Chinese
partners:
- Signalling system for high-speed rail line between Wuhan and
Guangzhou (August 2007)
- Automated People Mover System for the City of Guangzhou (May 2007)
- 192 metro cars with propulsion & controls equipment for Shanghai
Metro Line 7 (May 2007)
- 500 electric freight locomotives for the Ministry of Railways
(February 2007)
- 306 metro cars with propulsion & controls equipment for Shanghai
Metro Line 9 (Nov. 2006)
- Propulsion and controls equipment for 192 cars on Beijing Metro
Line 4 (July 2006)
- 40 automated rail cars for Beijing Capital International Airport
Link (March 2006)
About Bombardier in China
Including its three joint ventures, Bombardier currently employs
2,500 people in China. In addition to its rail transportation
operations, Bombardier is also the number one supplier to the Chinese
regional aircraft market with an installed base of more than 30
aircraft in operation with six airlines. It is the top-ranked
supplier of business aircraft to China as well. Bombardier's
longstanding business relationship with China began 50 years ago.
About Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation has its global headquarters in Berlin,
Germany with a presence in over 60 countries. It has an installed
base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide. The Group offers the
broadest product portfolio and is recognized as the leader in the
global rail sector.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions,
from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation
equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global
corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year
ended Jan. 31, 2007, were $14.8 billion US, and its shares are traded
on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index
component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America
indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
BOMBARDIER, ZEFIRO and MITRAC are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or
its subsidiaries.
Contacts:
Americas
David Slack
+ 1 450 441 3190
China
Jianwei Zhang
+86 10 8529 6800
Germany, Austria
Jurgen Kornmann
+ 49 30 986 07 1138
Switzerland
Fiona Flannery
+41 44 318 29 91
Central and Eastern Europe
Vicki Luther
+ 49 30 986 07 1139
Nordic Countries
Jonny Hedberg
+ 46 8 681 5062
Russia
Alexander Bocharov
+ 7 495 775 1830
UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, other countries
Neil Harvey
+ 44 1332 266470
Benelux and France
Anne Froger
+ 33 6 07 78 95 38
Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, India
Luis Ramos
+ 35 1 919 693 728
