Skoda already entered the North American market nearly 20 years ago and it all went well until the Americans tried to manufacture the streetcars themselves under licence. The United Streetcar disaster is well-recorded. Skoda, together with Siemens also bid for Toronto, but it became clear that politics intevened and the trams *had* to be manufactured by a Canadian company, to wit Bombardier. This was the Skoda-Inekon consortium design:

http://www.inekon-trams.com/toronto/superior-plus-100percent-low-floor-tram.html http://www.inekon-trams.com/toronto/superior-plus-100percent-low-floor-tram.html

There would probably be a whole fleet running perfectly well by now if TTC was allowed to go with this, or even Siemens. Skoda found the North American market too problematic and turned the other way towards Asia where the Chinese are a more reliable manufacturing partner and a far bigger market. Meanwhile Alstom has rushed into the Toronto gap.

At the time it could also be said that Skoda may not have had the experience and resources to engage with the difficult issues of manufacturing in America to European standards, as major European auto manufacturers have since done with more success and the required quality.

Tony P
---InTramsDownUnder@..., <transitconsult@...> wrote :

Perhaps Tony P may wish to send this to Skoda. With up to 100 this could be a valuable earner, and could provide an entry into the North American market.

Regards

Dudley