Marcopolo Rail, specialized in the development and production of new rail transport modes, is expanding its production capacity with a new structure measuring 2,600 m² in total area, in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul. The facility will produce 100% national vehicles, which will meet the different demands for passenger rail transport in Brazil and Latin America, in addition to having the possibility of developing projects with strategic partners in vehicle modernization services.
Among the models that will be manufactured by the unit is the recently introduced Prosper VLT Hybrid. The hybrid vehicle is aimed at urban and intercity transport, combining the efficiency of diesel and electric engines with batteries. This provides better performance and autonomy in operation, in addition to reducing CO2 emissions, highlights Petras Amaral Santos, executive manager of the business unit.
The expansion of the manufacturing structure should improve the unit's competitiveness, since in addition to having state-of-the-art equipment, it also has a highly specialized production team, with constant training of its professionals. The new pavilion complies with international standards with a more ergonomic and efficient flow, which has brought agility in the movement of components and materials and, consequently, increased productivity.
In order to create the new space, investments were made in infrastructure, with new machines and equipment, new templates and overhead cranes, in addition to its own storage and logistics area. Combined with all this, Marcopolo Rail is located in a space that allows synergy with other areas of Marcopolo, such as the components manufacturing center and painting booths, making processes more agile and simplified.
Currently, among the projects in production by Marcopolo Rail are the People Movers models and the supply of three Diesel Multiple Units, DMUs, with two cars each of the Prosper model, to Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado – EFE Trenes de Chile, a public company responsible for managing the country's railway network.
Training specialized labor
Marcopolo Rail will also invest in training engineering teams to work on developing projects for the railway segment. The initiative allows the company to be prepared to develop increasingly customized vehicles, according to the different challenges of the rail transportation sector in the country, in addition to contributing to the appreciation of Brazilian professionals.
“With the new facilities and qualified teams, we will develop products of the highest quality and we will also be able to ally ourselves with established strategic partners in the market. We can say that we are ready to accompany the growth of the sector, in Brazil and abroad, making Brazil a reference in mobility solutions”, concludes Petras Amaral.
About Marcopolo Rail
Aligned with the purpose of improving life experience through mobility, Marcopolo Rail is a business unit of Marcopolo S.A, specialized in the development and production of new rail modes. Marcopolo Rail has rail modes in its portfolio and operates in the production of Multiple Units, VLTs, as well as the manufacture of boxes for People Movers. In addition to the product line, it also offers maintenance and modernization contracts.
