Springfield Chinese MBTA car factory proposal: CNR Changchun Rail Vehicles Co. says it plans a 125,000-square-foot plant

This story follows an earlier report on Changchun Railway Vehicles Co. and its plan to build a factory in Springfield and build transit cars for the MBTA

SPRINGFIELD — Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., the largest maker of transit and rail passenger cars in the world, said Monday night it plans to build a 125,000-square-foot rail car assembly plant and accompanying 33,750-square-foot office building on the 40-acre former Westinghouse site on Page Boulevard in East Springfield.

"Prompted by their participation in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) request for proposal (RFP) for the Orange/Red Line Car Procurement, CNR CRC (Changchun) representatives today announced initial proceedings including their selection of Springfield for its rich manufacturing heritage, and development plans of a site initiating ongoing conversations of support with state, city, local, and community officials," Changchun said in a news release.

Sources close to the development said the factory could require a $30 million investment and have 150 to 300 employees. Changchun would use Springfield as a base to expand into the North American market, making rail cars here in Springfield for other cities.

The MBTA plans to spend $1.5 billion for at least 226 cars, the MBTA said in a news release last year – 152 Orange Line cars, replacing the entire fleet of 120, and 74 Red Line cars with an option to increase the fleet to 132. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation says the 43-year-old Red Line cars and 31-year-old Orange Line cars are due for replacement.

The MBTA is requiring that final assembly of the cars take place in Massachusetts.

“We are very excited to be in discussion with the City of Springfield as we identify and address the necessary steps to advance our goal of building a rail car manufacturing facility in Springfield,” said company President Lu Xiwei in a prepared release. “The interest and support displayed by Springfield officials at this early stage encourages our partnership and demonstrates a mutual interest in this effort.”

Changchun was established in 1954 and has manufactured more than 30 thousand various railway vehicles. The companies products of have been exported to Brazil, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, New Zealand and Hong Kong.