It does affect Mexican manufacturers that Chinese companies are gaining passenger trains tenders for the Mexican rail system promoted by the government of Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, said Maximiliano Zurita Llaca, general director of the Spanish company CAF.
“Somehow affects Chinese companies, passenger trains tenders), but we are used to competing in the world market in different countries and with different companies,” said the manager in the framework of the XXII edition of Exporail.
CAF has a trains manufacturing plant in the country, so “it would have seemed very interesting for manufactured trains to have been manufactured in Mexico”
“We are not the only company with passenger trains manufacturing plant in Mexico, but we understand that the Chinese company offered a very high national content percentage and hope it fulfills it because that is important for the economy of this country,” he said.
In mid-September 2025, the Chinese company CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive won the tender to provide 15 passenger trains for the AIFA-Pachuca route.
Additionally, Chinese trains manufacturers have sold vehicles to Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara for their Metro and Light Rail Mass Transportation System.
“We are manufacturing trains for many countries in the world, competing with the Chinese and other companies of other nationalities,” said the business representative.
He recalled that tenders will continue to sell passenger trains for the Mexican rail system, which is promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.
“We have shown interest in participating in everything that is Railway of Passengers, surely if (we are going to participate in tenders),” he said.
The Government of Claudia Sheinbaum will summon a bid of 47 trains for the Mexican rail system for the sections of Mexico to Querétaro, Querétaro and Irapuato and Saltillo to Nuevo Laredo.
The general director of CAF commented that there have been no falls in exports of trains manufacturers in Mexico for the tariffs imposed by the president of the United States, Donald Trump.
The company of Spanish origin finished the manufacture of trains for New Zealand, as it was starting with the production of vehicles for Medellín, Colombia, and Chile, and are waiting to sign an agreement for a railway system of Manila, the Philippines.
Francisco Fabila, president of the Mexican Railway Association (AMF), declared that he is not aware that Chinese companies are participating in tenders for passenger trains in Mexico.
“I understand that the Government of Mexico is making the best decision in tenders and are calling all companies,” he explained.
“We will always be a clear voice of promoting those who are part of the association, including producers of all types of wagons, but I would not dare to comment if it is good or not to consider the Chinese,” said the business representative.
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