Montréal, Canada – Bombardier Transportation today celebrated delivery of its 1000th metro car to operators in the People’s Republic of China during a special ceremony coinciding with the 2006 Metro and Light Train exhibition in Guangzhou. The 1,000 cars are in service with multiple operators in the cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Hong Kong SAR. Bombardier provides a wide range of rail vehicles and components to the Chinese market through its own operations and a series of joint ventures with Chinese enterprises.

Stephane Rambaud-Measson, President of Bombardier Transportation’s global Mainline and Metros Division, and Jianwei Zhang, President and Chief Country Representative for Bombardier in China, presented the 1,000th car to Mr. Lu Guanglin, General Manager of Guangzhou Metro Corporation (GMC) during the proceedings. The 1000th vehicle is a MOVIA metro car produced by Changchun Bombardier Railway Vehicles Co. Ltd. (CBRC), a joint venture between Bombardier and Changchun Railway Vehicles Ltd. It will operate on Line 2 of the Guangzhou city metro system and is one of 48 MOVIA metro vehicles (8 six-car trains) being delivered to GMC under a contract signed in 2004. CBRC assembles the cars at its Changchun plant in Northern China. Upon completion of the current contract, Bombardier Transportation and CBRC together will have delivered a total of 330 metro cars to GMC.

Mr. Rambaud-Measson said the milestone is a clear illustration of Bombardier’s successful partnership with China and its long-term commitment to evolving the country’s rail infrastructure.

“China, like other countries around the world, is developing its rail infrastructure as a key element to achieving true sustainable development,” he said. “Bombardier continues to play an important role in that objective by investing for the long-term in China, bringing technological expertise here and building effective partnerships with in-country enterprises. We are optimistic about the prospects in this promising market.”

During remarks at the ceremony, Mr. Lu said, "Bombardier’s 1000th metro car was delivered to Guangzhou Metro today. This perfect combination of the world’s most advanced vehicle technology and China’s wide market is the best example of a mutually beneficial association. In the future, when our successors open the history books of urban mass transit in China, they will find this glorious page, which was jointly written by Bombardier and Guangzhou Metro."

Jianwei Zhang said Bombardier and its affiliate organizations have been active in the Chinese rail market since the 1950s. Bombardier currently has three joint ventures and three wholly owned foreign enterprises in China aimed at providing rail vehicles, components and supporting services, such as maintenance and spare parts.

“Today represents an important milestone for Bombardier and its partner organizations,” he said. “We’re bringing the best in rail technology to China from our operations around the world, and we continue to develop our production expertise here. We’ve learned a great deal about how to do business in this country over the years, and that experience is making a difference.”

Recent contracts awarded to Bombardier and its JVs in China include a deal for ART Mark II automated rail cars for the Beijing Capital International Airport Link in March 2006; a high-speed train maintenance center and 20-year services contract with China’s Ministry of Railways in January 2006 (MOR); an Automated People Mover system for the Beijing Capital International Airport in May 2005; 40 eight-car, high-speed trainsets for the MOR in May 2005 and October 2004, and 361 high-altitude passenger cars for the MOR in February 2005.

Including its joint ventures, Bombardier currently employs 2,400 people in China. In addition to its rail transportation operations, Bombardier is the number one supplier to the Chinese regional aircraft market with an installed base of more than 30 aircraft in operation with six airlines. It is also the top-ranked supplier of business aircraft to China. Bombardier’s longstanding business relationship with China began 50 years ago.