INNOTRANS: Rolling stock giant CRRC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with German certification body TÜV Nord Group to support the Chinese supplier's plans to win contracts in the European market. The agreement was inked by CRRC Chairman Cui Diangou and CEO of TÜV Nord Group Dr Guido Rettig at a 'Rail Transit Technology Summit' organised by CRRC at InnoTrans on September 20.
Described as a strategic partnership which will also see TÜV expand its activities in China through a subsidiary, the deal represents the first occasion when a European certification body has signed an agreement with CRRC at corporate level, TÜV Nord said.
Among projects being discussed is the possible supply of bogies and wheelsets from China for Deutsche Bahn's future ICE trainsets, said Dr Michael Neiser, Head of Energy Technology/ Railway Technology at TÜV Nord. This follows a visit by a DB board member to China.
In the meantime TÜV expects that CRRC's initial contracts in Europe are likely to be for freight wagons.