EqualOcean has learned that Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, Brazil, recently signed a contract for a project involving 24 metro trains, which will be developed by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd(中车长春轨道客车股份有限公司).
Belo Horizonte is the political, economic, and cultural center of Minas Gerais. The newly signed contract includes 24 metro trains equipped with automatic driving capabilities, with a maximum operating speed of 80 km/h. According to the city's rail transit operation plan, these trains will serve Metro Line 1 and the under-construction Line 2, aiming to alleviate local traffic congestion.
The CRRC Changchun design team utilized a mature and reliable vehicle development platform, incorporating Belo Horizonte’s technical requirements and operational needs. The trains were designed to be safe, reliable, and comfortable, with considerations for full lifecycle maintainability. The team applied advanced intelligent and energy-saving design concepts to provide customized travel solutions for local residents.
Brazil, the largest country in South America, has long struggled with underdeveloped infrastructure, creating a high demand for rail transit construction. According to the National Railway Bureau, Brazil's railway network spans approximately 29,000 kilometers, less than 20% of China's network. Owing to a debt crisis and economic recession, the Brazilian government lacks funds for infrastructure development, resulting in a significant investment gap. The Brazilian rail transit market has considerable growth potential.
Seizing market opportunities, China’s CRRC entered the Brazilian rail market early and has become a significant player through years of dedicated effort. According to CRRC’s official website, in 2008, CRRC Changchun sent a team to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second-largest city, for research and successfully secured a contract for 120 intercity EMU trains, marking the first export of Chinese-manufactured railway vehicles to South America.
In 2012, the EMU trains and metro trains exported by CRRC to Rio de Janeiro were officially put into operation, successfully supporting the rail transit needs for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
Since then, CRRC has deepened its cooperation with various regions in Brazil, expanding its scope to include mainline railways, wind power, and other fields. To date, CRRC has provided over 1,000 customized rail transit products for Brazil and established branches in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Since entering the Brazilian rail transit sector, CRRC Changchun has consistently offered "Chinese solutions" for Brazil's smart city development. The delivered rail vehicles have served major international events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Rio Olympics, providing economic, convenient, and efficient travel experiences for Brazilian residents and global visitors. The successful signing of this recent project will significantly enhance Belo Horizonte’s rail transit service level and inject new momentum into practical cooperation between China and Brazil.