USA: The facility will be located on a site covering 809,000 m2 in Lexington, North Carolina. At the first stage, it will be focused on the manufacturing of locomotive-hauled passenger coaches and push-pull trains, with production slated to begin next year.
The investment is expected to reach $220 mln, with over 500 jobs created by 2028. North Carolina will provide financial support to the project via the Job Development Investment Grant.
The plant’s production capacity will be around 100 vehicles per year. A workshop for the overhaul of locomotives and passenger coaches will also be located on the site. The factory is planned to be equipped with robotic welding units and 3D printers.
Over the past four years, Siemens has invested $400 mln in the development of production in the US, as well as $2.5 bln in strategic acquisitions. The company is expanding its rolling stock production capacities against the backdrop of state support for American operators from the state authorities as a part of the US five-year plan to invest $1.2 trln in infrastructure. This Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was adopted in November 2021. On the other hand, the German producers’ interest in the American market is also driven by the energy crisis in Europe and the accompanying rise in industrial prices.
Rolling stock production by Siemens in Sacramento, USA. Source: Siemens
At present, Siemens Mobility owns eight production sites in the US. However, the manufacturing of rolling stock is carried out only at the plant in Sacramento. According to Siemens Mobility, over 3,000 locomotives, passenger coaches, and trams have been produced at the plant since 1984.
Siemens currently has orders for the supply of 125 Charger ALC-42 diesel-electric locomotives, as well as 83 Venture locomotive-hauled push-pull trains for Amtrak. Another 11 Charger SCB-40 diesel-electric locomotives and 20 Venture push-pull coaches are to be produced for Brightline Trains. In addition, contracts are in progress for the supply of over 80 S700 trams of S700 model for Portland, Sacramento, St. Paul, and Santa Ana.
