ZF Enters Indian Railway Sector, Begins Local Gearbox Assembly for Vande Bharat Trains

Global mobility technology leader ZF has made its official debut in India’s railway sector, beginning local assembly of gearboxes for the Vande Bharat Express, marking a strategic milestone in its expansion into new transportation domains. The move strengthens ZF’s footprint in India’s fast-growing rail ecosystem and aligns with the government’s ‘Make in India’ vision for domestic manufacturing.

ZF confirmed that its Coimbatore facility in Tamil Nadu will assemble the gearboxes, developed under the company’s global driveline division. The specially engineered single-stage spur gear drive will power India’s semi-high-speed trainsets, designed for speeds between 70 and 170 km/h. Each gearbox integrates a coupling and reaction rod system that ensures smooth acceleration, energy efficiency, and long-term operational reliability—key elements for India’s expanding fleet of Vande Bharat trains.

The Vande Bharat Express, India’s flagship semi-high-speed train launched in 2019, has already carried more than 30 million passengers nationwide. With the government targeting over 400 operational units in the next few years, the demand for efficient, locally produced components is accelerating.

ZF’s entry brings world-class drivetrain technology closer to India’s rail manufacturing ecosystem. The company stated that the Coimbatore unit will not only assemble gearboxes but also serve as a local hub for engineering and testing support, leveraging ZF’s global expertise in rail drives and mobility systems.

“Our entry into the railway domain is a defining moment for ZF in India,” said Akash Passey, President of ZF Group India. “Winning this first gearbox order reinforces our confidence in the Indian market and our commitment to sustainable mobility solutions that are both locally manufactured and globally benchmarked.”

Industry experts see ZF’s move as a timely boost for India’s indigenous train production ecosystem. The integration of advanced gearbox technology is expected to improve train performance—enabling faster acceleration, better energy utilization, and reduced maintenance downtime.

Globally headquartered in Germany, ZF operates across multiple transport and industrial verticals—from passenger cars and commercial vehicles to marine propulsion and renewable energy systems. The company employs over 168,000 people worldwide, runs 162 production sites across 31 countries, and reported €46.6 billion in revenue for 2023.

By localizing gearbox assembly in India, ZF not only deepens its manufacturing base but also signals growing confidence in the country’s transformation into a high-tech rail production hub.