Industrial Development Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs

Since the TRSC (Taiwan Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.) got the contract for 160 EMU700 trains from the TRA in 2005, it has gradually accumulated rail car manufacturing capabilities with the assistance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. This has in turn driven the technological development of related components, and established the foundation for the rolling stock of indigenous development and manufacture for the domestic railway industry. The rail car products also gained a good reputation with users.

In 2009, the TRSC won the bid for 296 EMU trains from the TRA, and signed the master contract for EMU800 procurement on January 14th, 2011. The TRSC completed the test of the first batch of 16 cars (2 trains) on November 29th, 2013, and then put them into operation on January 2nd, 2014. The TRSC has delivered 288 trains for the TRA so far. On May 29th, 2015 (Friday), the TRSC held a PDI ceremony for 296 EMU800 trains. This proved that the domestic railway industry has the capabilities of manufacturing conventional rail EMUs independently.

With the support of the Ministry of Transportation, the TRA and assistance of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, as well as the investment of TRSC, the railway industry in Taiwan has been gradually upgraded in its percentage of domestic manufacturing by establishing the capacity of its component production. It also leads the trend of domestic autarky in the supply chain for railway products, and establishes the localization of key components such as bogie frames, traction motors, and couplers. For the EMU800 project, the expected rate of localization is 52%.

In order to replace old trains such as intercity trains and interval trains, the TRA is working on purchasing 1,307 trains in the coming 10 years. The procurement budget is about NT$99.7 billion. The Ministry of Economic Affairs will cooperate with the TRA and continue promoting the localization of the rolling stock of development, manufacturing, and enhancing industrial competitiveness.

The manufacturing industry in Taiwan is mostly export-oriented, especially the railway industry with its high security requirements and high-tech threshold, and continuous development and completing the construction of middle and lower suppliers, will be beneficial to obtaining more international opportunities.