Japanese rail-car manufacturers are going up against increasing competition from Chinese rivals in the United States as they prepare for the opening of a bid expected later this year for cars that will be used on the planned high-speed rail link in California.
Last year, as Beijing orchestrated its policy to push railway exports, China CNR Corp., the world's biggest builder of rolling stock, overtook Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. and other bidders to supply vehicles in a project to renew Boston's subway system.
Pricing by Chinese players appears to be a major hurdle for Japanese executives. "We may lose a market as a result of dumping-like price offers" from Chinese firms, said an official at a Japanese manufacturer.