Urban mobility in China: Knorr-Bremse to equip CRRC metro trains
- Knorr-Bremse has received an order from the world’s largest train manufacturer, CRRC, to install braking systems on 36 trains destined for the megacity of Chengdu
- Metros traveling on the new Line 13 will serve Tianfu International airport and other destinations at speeds of up to 140 km/h
- For Knorr-Bremse, the order is an important step in further consolidating the company’s position in China’s mobility marketplace
The metro network in the city of Chengdu, one of western China’s major commercial centers, is in a constant state of expansion. CRRC has now commissioned Knorr-Bremse to supply complete braking systems for 36 new metro trains comprising a total of 288 railcars. For Knorr-Bremse, the order value is in the lower double-digit million-euro range.
In the words of Dr. Jürgen Wilder, Member of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG and responsible for the Rail Vehicle Systems division: “China is one of Knorr-Bremse’s core markets. With our strong local presence in research, development, production and customer services, we’re able to meet the most demanding localization requirements – as we’ve already shown in a large number of Chinese metro projects over several decades. We’re delighted to be working with CRRC once again, and to be making our own contribution to safe, efficient and sustainable mobility in Chengdu. What’s more, this order reflects our ambition to further consolidate our position in China’s rapidly evolving metro segment.”
Knorr-Bremse is tasked with supplying complete electropneumatic braking systems – including brake control systems – for 36 trains (totaling 288 railcars) by mid-2024. Chengdu Metro Limited is planning to use the vehicles on Line 13 (currently being built) in particular; the metro line also serves Tianfu International airport, which was opened in 2021. Knorr-Bremse will manufacture most of the components at its large R&D and production facility in Suzhou. In addition, Knorr-Bremse is ensuring that the project and customer relations are efficiently managed at local level. For the technology leader, the order represents a special opportunity in the Chinese marketplace, as Knorr-Bremse will be supplying yet another project with braking technologies for metro trains that reach top speeds of up to 140 km/h.
Decades of successful cooperation with CRRC
Knorr-Bremse has enjoyed a successful business partnership with CRRC for many years. In the 1990s, the company started to provide braking systems for China’s metro market. Two years ago, Knorr-Bremse won the largest order it has ever been given by the vehicle manufacturer – to outfit 336 railcars for the Shenzhen metro system. Chengdu is another major city in which the metro system acts as a backbone for the city’s local mass transit services. Every day, some seven million passengers currently use the 13 metro lines in the existing network, which covers an impressive 520 kilometers. Ultimately, Chengdu is planning to expand the metro network to include 36 lines with 1,666 kilometers of track.
Since Knorr-Bremse first set up in China, the country has become an important market for the company. Knorr-Bremse has a very strong presence in the promising metro segment – and other segments – thanks to cutting-edge transportation technologies such as braking, climate control and entrance systems. The company aims to further consolidate its overall position in China by focusing on product excellence, service and advanced technologies.