Alstom withdraws from Renfe high-speed train tender

Alstom has decided to withdraw from a major tender launched by Renfe to acquire up to 40 high-speed trains, a contract valued at up to 1.777 billion euros. The French manufacturer opted not to submit a bid before the deadline, citing concerns over delivery timelines and excessively ambitious speed requirements.

This decision aligns with a new strategy under the leadership of Martin Sion to prioritize project selection that protects margins, cash flow, and execution capacity. Rather than competing for high-volume contracts with high technical risks, the company aims to concentrate resources on fewer, more manageable industrial programs.

The Renfe tender initially involves the purchase of 30 trains for 1.362 billion euros, with an option for ten additional units. Renfe has described this as the largest high-speed train procurement operation in its history, intended to meet growing demand and renew its aging fleet.