CNR signs tramcar contracts with Ethiopia

BEIJING - Chinese train manufacturer CNR Corporation (CNR) has signed contracts with Ethiopia to provide 41 modern tramcars, marking the entry of Chinese tramcars into Africa, CNR said Monday.

The tramcars will be customized for use in Ethiopia's capital of Addis Ababa, where the altitude is 2,400 meters and ultraviolet light is strong, according to CNR's statement.

According to CNR, the tramcars are the world's most sunlight-resistant and will use special components in the glass, rubber, paint and cable. They can travel at a maximum of 70 kilometers per hour.

CNR will deliver its first batch of tramcars to Ethiopia at the end of 2014.

CNR, one of the largest train makers in China, manufactures a range of products, from locomotives to high-speed trains, which have been widely used for the country's railway services.

The company's net profits totaled 2.39 billion yuan ($391 million) in the first three quarters of 2013, up 1.81 percent year on year.