German auto component major ZF Group has announced its first gearbox manufacturing order for Indian Railways, marking its official entry into the country’s railway sector. The gearboxes will be assembled locally at the company’s Coimbatore facility.

“Our entry into the Indian railway sector is a significant milestone for ZF Group in India,” said Akash Passey, President, ZF Group India. “Securing this first order for locally manufactured railway gearboxes validates our engineering and manufacturing capabilities and reinforces our commitment to advancing India’s mobility transformation.”

ZF will supply customised gearboxes designed specifically for the Vande Bharat Express trains. Since its launch in 2019, the Vande Bharat fleet has transported over 30 million passengers nationwide.

According to the company, the gearboxes are tailored for performance at top speeds ranging from 70 to 170 kmph, ensuring optimal efficiency and durability under Indian operating conditions.

ZF Group, a global leader in automotive and industrial mobility systems, employs approximately 168,700 people worldwide and recorded sales of €46.6 billion (Rs 4.15 trillion) in FY2023. The company operates 162 production sites across 31 countries, underscoring its global manufacturing footprint.

The order marks a significant step in ZF’s diversification into India’s rapidly expanding railway and mobility ecosystem, as the nation continues to modernise its transport infrastructure under the Vande Bharat and Make in India initiatives.