The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors voted to award an EUR 810 million option for 620 new heavy rail stainless steel subway cars to Alstom and Kawasaki. Alstom will supply 360 cars for about EUR 500 million. The option is a part of an original contract awarded on 31 July 2002, which covers the design and manufacture of new R160 cars, spare parts and special tools. The new cars will replace old ones and give New York City Transit additional capacity for expansion purposes. The 620 cars will be delivered in 2008-09. The body shells will be manufactured in Alstom’s Lapa facilities, Brazil. The cars will be assembled and tested in Hornell, USA.