The jobs of hundreds of workers at General Electric-Transportation facilities in Erie and Grove City, Pa. are being supported by the company's sale of 40 GE Evolution Series (EVO) 44AC diesel electric locomotives to Mexico, backed by an $80.4 million loan guarantee from the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

Mexico's Grupo Ferroviario Mexicano (GFM) will lease the locomotives to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. (Ferromex), one of the largest privately-owned railways in Mexico.

The sale is part of GFM's order of 100 of the EVO locomotives which, according to GE, offer 40 percent reduced emissions, improved fuel economy and lower operating costs. The locomotives were the first to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier II emissions standards.

"We are very pleased that this transaction furthers two important Ex-Im Bank missions -- to sustain U.S. jobs at companies like GE and its sub-suppliers throughout the country, and to support environmentally beneficial exports," said Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President James H. Lambright.

David Tucker, vice president of sales for GE-Transportation, said, "This transaction, assisted by Ex-Im Bank's guarantee, contributes to the sustainability of hundreds of manufacturing jobs at GE-Transportation facilities in Erie and Grove City, Pennsylvania."

"GE-Transportation is an anchor in this community, and represents our largest labor workforce," said Erie Mayor Joseph E. Sinnott. "A big part of their work is filling orders from buyers in Mexico, Kazakhstan and other global markets, and Ex-Im Bank helps make that possible." The GE locomotives for the Mexico contract are assembled in Erie, and the engines are manufactured in Grove City.

10/19/2007