It is reported that in 2010, Astra Vagoane Calatori Arad will present its own prototype tram for the domestic market, after the company halted cooperation with Siemens.

Mr Valer Blidar, the owner of Astra Vagoane Calatori Arad, said that the talks with Siemens ended with a failure. He added that "Representatives of Siemens wanted to get all the profits and have us to do the job. When I read the contract, I decided to give it up."

However Astra Vagoane Calatori Arad did not give up the whole idea of producing trams. Currently the company plans to present its own prototype in 2010. The tram prototype and the manufacturing line will cost approximately EUR 4 million.

Mr Blidar said that "It will be a very modern low floor tram. In this project we will work with another global manufacturer of wagons, which we can not announce now, but we will cooperate only on the segments of command and traction."

(Sourced from www.railwaymarket.eu)