Hyundai Rotem wins $663 mil. deal to supply train to Los Angeles
Hyundai Rotem was selected as the final bidder for a $663.69 million-worth LA Metro train supply deal in Los Angeles, the train-making subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group said Tuesday.
The company said its U.S. branch won the project ordered by the LA County Metropolitan Transit Authority (LACMTA).
This project was initiated to replace the local old trains in operation since 1993 and respond to the surge in mobility demand as the U.S. city is set to host the Summer Olympics and the Paralympics in 2028.
When choosing the final bidder, LACMTA stressed evaluation factors such as previous records, quality and technology to prevent fraudulent practices that would result in delivery of low-quality vehicles or failure to meet deadlines, Hyundai Rotem said.
“Hyundai Rotem was able to win the project by beating competitors, recognized for its vehicle manufacturing technology, track record and its ability to meet deadlines. The company was recognized for its merits by delivering vehicles early in the unmanned electric car supply project in Vancouver, which it delivered earlier than the product delivery date in 2005 and 2018,” the company said.
Hyundai Rotem also revealed that support from domestic railway institutions played a decisive role in winning the project.
LACMTA had visited railway test tracks in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, established by the Korea National Railway and operated by the Korea Railroad Research Institute, and confirmed Korea’s rail infrastructure and vehicle perfor- mance verification capabilities. The company added that the trains to be supplied to LACMTA will also be quality verified on these tracks.
“We will do our best to deliver products that can satisfy both local citizens and tourists, based on the experience and capabilities accumulated by carrying out multiple local projects in the U.S.,” the company said.
Hyundai Rotem has been increasing its presence in the U.S. by winning train supply projects in California and Philadelphia in 2006, Boston in 2008 and 2019 and Denver in 2010.