Lender Garanti Bank has granted EUR 4.3 million to the Romanian locomotive manufacturer Softronic Craiova for the production of an electric train, the bank has announced.

“Hyperion was produced in Craiova using the latest technology in this field and meeting the European interoperability standards,” said Ionel Ghita, president of CA Softronic.

Hyperion may be built in two types of maximum speed, namely 160 km per hour, or 200 km per hour, has a low floor, and a capacity of 180 seats.

“Passengers will benefit from an interior with modern facilities and air conditioning in each wagon, a high degree of comfort and optimal conditions of transport. Hyperion is comparable with any modern train in Europe, also offering free Wi-Fi to passengers,” added Ghita.

The total investment for the train’s production was over EUR 5 million.

The electric train has been completed and is currently performing speed tests. Hyperion will be released for commercial use in February 2014.

Softronic was founded in 1999 and is the only locomotive factory in Southeastern Europe.

Garanti Bank, part of Garanti Group Romania, is owned by Turkiye Garanti Bankasi A.S. In the first nine months of the year, Garanti Group Romania more than doubled its net profit when compared to the same period last year, to some EUR 26.3 million.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com