Expanding its footprint in the U.S. transportation sector, Hitachi has secured a $724.3 million contract to supply 200 rail cars to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA), one of the Japanese multinational’s largest contracts in the United States.
SEPTA, which operates the urban rail network in and around Philadelphia, selected Hitachi for its project to upgrade its core subway line. The new cars will replace aging models, that have been in service since the 1990s. The manufacturing of these rail cars will take place at Hitachi’s state-of-the-art factory in Maryland, with deliveries set to begin in 2029 and be completed by the end of 2031.
These vehicles will include features like remote monitoring of onboard equipment, ensuring higher reliability and safety for passengers.
Hitachi spokesperson
The new rail cars are designed to offer enhanced capacity and incorporate cutting-edge technology.
“These vehicles will include features like remote monitoring of onboard equipment, ensuring higher reliability and safety for passengers,” a Hitachi spokesperson said.
Additionally, the trains are expected to be equipped with regenerative braking systems, which will allow the recovery of electricity generated during braking, contributing to greater energy efficiency.
Hitachi’s expansion in the U.S. market is part of a broader strategy to strengthen its railway business. When it received a $2.2 billion order for around 800 cars from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in 2021, Hitachi decided to build its Maryland factory.
Industry experts view Hitachi’s move as a calculated effort to establish a long-term presence in the United States.
“By investing in local manufacturing and technology, Hitachi is positioning itself as a key player in the American rail industry,” transportation analyst John Smith said.
