ALSTOM & Siemens to create a consortium for European
high speed trains

It is the clear response of the two biggest suppliers of
high-speed rail systems in Europe to a joint initiative launched
by the German and French railways  'with the backing of
their respective governments' that focuses on the building of one
high-speed train for the European railway network. Hartmut
Mehdorn and Louis Gallois, the respective heads of DB AG and
SNCF, had announced their vision of placing a joint order for the
next high-speed train generation.

In a joint letter to DB AG and SNCF, ALSTOM & SIEMENS
declare their willingness to form a consortium of equal partners
on a 50/50% basis for this project which would specify, develop
and manufacture a train in close cooperation with both railway
administrations. ALSTOM & SIEMENS have proposed the creation
of a working group composed of representatives of DB AG, SNCF,
ALSTOM & SIEMENS to define the technical conditions of
the new train (in terms of capacity, operating speed,
acceleration capability), the corresponding commercial conditions
(such as lifecycle costs, investment price per passenger), as
well as financial plans. 

ALSTOM & SIEMENS do not rule out that
their consortium may work together on this project with other
European companies after the first phase of definition has been
reached. The two partners will naturally present this
project to the European Commission for approval. 

Over the past few decades, ALSTOM & SIEMENS have
been major players in the development of high-speed trains
building respectively, the TGV and the ICE. The two companies
have already worked together on several projects, particularly
for a high-speed train in Asia. Both will tackle the project as a
true European partnership.

ALSTOM Transport

With more than 35 product lines and a presence in
over 60 countries, ALSTOM's Transport Sector offers cutting-edge
products and services to four distinct types of customers: urban
transit authorities and operators; intercity passenger rail
operators and rolling stock owners; rail freight operators; and
intercity railway infrastructure owners. ALSTOM's Transport
Sector, with 4.4  billion euros in sales in 2001, is among
the world's leading suppliers to the railway industry.

SIEMENS TransportationSystems

The SIEMENS Transportation Systems Group is one of
the leading international suppliers to the railways industry. As
a single source and system integrator, the Group combines all the
technical expertise in the fields of signaling and control
systems, traction power supplies, as well as rolling stock for
mass transit, regional and main line services. In the last fiscal
year 1998/99 (30 September), SIEMENS Transportation Systems
generated sales of approx. EUR3 billion (equaling about DM5.8
billion) with a staff of approx. 14,500.

ALSTOM

Press contact
Helen Connolly

Tel. +33 (0)1 41 66 91 43

helen.connolly@transport.alstom.com

SIEMENS Transportation Systems

Press enquiries 

Eberhard Dombek

Tel. +49 9131 7-20238