Yonkers Times: Kawasaki Celebrates 5,000 Rail Car Built in Yonkers

Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. recently held a major milestone event celebrating its 5,000th railcar in the United States market. Taking place at Kawasaki’s facility in Yonkers, the event featured New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, MTA Chair and Chief Executive Officer Janno Lieber, Mayor Mike Spano and Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins. 

Kawasaki has delivered over $12 billion in railcars since its entry into the market in 1979. Our Yonkers facility has awarded an estimated 30% of the contracts to companies located in New York State, and nearly 10% to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. 

Kawasaki has delivered 3,783 railcars equivalent to 76% of its total 5,000 railcars to authorities in the New York area.

• 2,456 cars for New York City Transit
• 474 cars for Metro-North Railroad
• 336 cars for Long-Island Railroad
• 517 cars for PATH
• 266 cars for SEPTA
• 748 cars for WMATA
• 140 cars for MBTA
• 50 cars for MARC
• 13 cars for VRE

Through four decades of operations in the City of Yonkers, the event recognized the thousands of jobs created and sustained by Kawasaki and the robust economic activity the business has generated for the State of New York. As a beacon of Kawasaki’s United States operations, the company’s presence in Yonkers is a testament to our global vision and local dedication in spearheading the future of America’s public transportation.

“Established in Japan over a century ago, Kawasaki has left indelible tracks across the landscape of global railway history,” said Ambassador Mikio Mori, Consul General of Japan in New York. “By selecting Yonkers four decades ago for its rail car manufacturing facility, Kawasaki demonstrated a commitment to the success and prosperity of New York State.”

“Kawasaki has been an integral part of New York’s economy for decades, driving innovation and providing significant opportunities throughout the State,” said New York State Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “Their deep investment back into our economy, by contracting with local businesses has helped strengthen local industries and New York’s economy. Today, as we celebrate the remarkable milestone of 5,000 railcars, we also recognize the skilled workers whose expertise has been crucial to this success. Kawasaki continues to set a high standard in manufacturing and innovation, and I look forward to their continued partnership in advancing New York’s economic future.”

“Over the past four decades Kawasaki has been a reliable partner to the MTA, manufacturing thousands of reliable cars for our customers,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “The company has been integral to the decades-long turnaround of the subway system and the 2025-29 Capital Plan recently adopted by the MTA Board calls for even greater investment in new subway and commuter rail cars.”

“Kawasaki Rail Car has made a significant positive impact on Yonkers and the surrounding communities,” said New York State Senator Shelley Mayer. “For over four decades, Kawasaki has built the rail cars that contribute to the strength of our public transportation system and has created well-paying jobs and opportunities for local residents. Their investment in the region has supported economic growth that ripples across our entire state.”

“Kawasaki’s presence in Yonkers makes an impact in more ways than one. Not only is Kawasaki an economic engine for our region, but most of the railcars it produces are used by the MTA. If you have ridden Metro North or a New York City subway, odds are you have ridden on a Kawasaki car that was built in Yonkers. I wish Kawasaki continued success as it produces the next 5,000 railcars,” said New York State Assemblyman, Nader Sayegh.

“Yonkers is pleased to host Kawasaki and is proud of our 40-year partnership which creates and sustains jobs for thousands of residents of our State. Kawasaki’s impact extends far beyond Yonkers, driving the lower Hudson Valley’s economy and acting as a catalyst for mass transit throughout the State and country. I wish them congratulations on this milestone and look forward to seeing the next 5,000 Kawasaki railcars,” said New York State Assemblyman, Gary Pretlow.

“Westchester County is proud to have Kawasaki as a key partner in driving our local economy by creating well-paying jobs for our residents and fueling economic growth,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. I hope Kawasaki continues to call Westchester home for many years to come, long after my time here, and that they remain at the forefront of innovation, producing cutting-edge train cars that provide not only comfort and style but also the highest standards of safety.”

“Kawasaki has been a proud partner of Westchester County, and particularly Yonkers, for decades, strengthening our economy and creating well-paying jobs for our residents,” said Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins. “We thank Kawasaki not only for their lasting commitment to the people of Westchester, but also for helping us reach our destinations with comfort, style and safety.”

“Kawasaki has played an integral role in supporting a thriving downtown waterfront by providing thousands of good-paying jobs and supporting small businesses in the surrounding area,” said Yonkers Mayor, Mike Spano. “I am so pleased to have Kawasaki as part of the City’s fabric for decades to come.”

“This is an important milestone for Kawasaki,” said Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer, Yusuke Hirose. “We are proud of our history in working with New York State, the MTA, Westchester County, the City of Yonkers and all of our customers and vendors to power the region’s economy and deliver safety, reliability and comfort time and time again. Kawasaki looks forward to serving the MTA regions and transit authorities in the northeast corridor for many years to come.” 

“We are honored to be New York’s partner in progress to meet the growing demand for Kawasaki’s rolling stock,” said Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing Co., Ltd. President and Chief Executive Officer, Hiroshi Murao. “We constantly push the boundaries of what is possible, delivering safety, reliability and comfort levels that consistently surpass our customers’ expectations. At our Yonkers facility, we create railcars but we also generate long-term value to drive savings in maintenance and operations for the State.”

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