Hyundai Rotem targets Record Rail Revenue in 2026, Sharpens Global Expansion strategy

Uiwang-si, South Korea (Metro Rail Today): South Korean rolling stock manufacturer Hyundai Rotem is aiming for a historic milestone in 2026, targeting over 2 trillion won in railway business revenue for the first time, as it accelerates its global expansion and competitiveness in the international rail market.

The ambitious outlook follows a strong growth trajectory, with the company’s railway revenue expected to reach 1.9 trillion won in 2025, up significantly from 1.496 trillion won in 2024. The sustained rise reflects Hyundai Rotem’s expanding order book, growing international footprint, and increasing demand for advanced rail and metro solutions worldwide.

Hyundai Rotem is also sharpening its global strategy to compete head-to-head with established European and Japanese rail majors, particularly for large-scale international projects. Among the most high-profile opportunities is the New York subway project, where the company is positioning itself as a serious contender by leveraging its technological capabilities, delivery performance, and quality credentials.

The company’s expansion momentum spans multiple regions. Hyundai Rotem is actively pursuing new opportunities in Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Vietnam, while continuing to execute major contracts in Australia, Morocco, and Uzbekistan. In Central Asia, the company is exploring high-speed rail export opportunities to Uzbekistan, building on its recent rolling stock successes in the country. In North Africa, Hyundai Rotem is also assessing long-term maintenance and lifecycle service ventures in Morocco, signalling a shift toward higher-value, service-oriented rail business models.

Supporting this global push is a strong research and development workforce of 582 researchers, focused on next-generation rolling stock, propulsion systems, and digital technologies. The company is also planning to increase its localisation rate from 85% to 95%, strengthening supply chain resilience while enhancing cost competitiveness and quality control.

With a growing international order pipeline, rising revenues, and continued investment in R&D and localisation, Hyundai Rotem is positioning itself as a formidable challenger in the global rail industry, entering the next phase of innovation-driven growth at a time when demand for sustainable, high-performance rail systems is accelerating worldwide.