Bombardier Sifang receives train contract

Canadian plane and train manufacturer Bombardier’s Chinese joint venture Bombardier Sifang received a US$4 billion contract to build 80 high-speed trains for China’s Ministry of Railyways, the Wall Street Journal reported. The manufacturer will provide 80 next-generation ZEFIRO high-speed trains that can reach speeds of up to 380 kilometers per hour. A total of 1,120 rail cars will be built for China’s 6,000 km of new high speed railways, one the best high-speed railway systems in the world.  Bombardier Sifang’s share of the contract is estimated at US$2 billion. The first train is due 2012 and the remainder should be completed by 2014.