News From the Auto Industry

Contractual partnerships have meant that 75% of GM EMD-powered locomotives supplied to railway operators in Europe have been manufactured in alliance with associates, which, in the past, have included such names as BN (Belgium), Henschel (Germany), Macosa, and Alstom (Spain), Nohab, and Kalmar (Sweden), and Djuro Djakovic (Yugoslavia).

“At the moment, we are talking to a lot of people about possible new orders, but these are going to be in small rather than large quantities. At this stage, therefore, it would not be economic to have a direct presence in those countries where we expect to secure contracts.

“We will maintain our partnering policy until we can gain momentum and the volume of orders picks up. Then we will consider setting up local production facilities. I think this could happen in the next two to three years, and certainly within the next five years.