TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced that it has received a major order from Singapore railway operator, SMRT Corporation (SMRT), for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) for the refurbishment of existing drive systems of 66 C151 series train sets, consisting of 6 cars, a total of 396 cars. This is the first deployment of the high efficiency PMSM outside Japan, and Toshiba will use it as a springboard to winning further orders in the global market.

SMRT runs the 66 C151 series trains on two major commuter lines in Singapore's Mass Rapid Transport system: the 45-kilometer North-South Line running between Jurong East and Marina Bay and the 57k East-West Line running between Pasir Ris and Joo Koon. The trains are electric multiple units without a separate locomotive, driven by electric traction motors in one or more cars; in four of six cars in the C151 series. The SMRT trains entered service in 1987, and this is the first upgrade to their drive systems.

The drive systems will include Toshiba-developed PMSM and peripheral equipment. They will cut power consumption by 30%, reduce operating noise levels, and improve the operating efficiency of the trains. They will first be installed on two train sets in early 2015, and subsequently in others following 1-2 years of test runs.

With increasing urbanization and crowded city roads, rail is once again being recognized as an environmentally friendly, high efficiency, low noise, easily maintained mass transport solution. Toshiba developed PMSM as a power and noise efficient drive system for commuter trains, and it has already been introduced on trains operating on the world's busiest subway network, Tokyo Metro, including the Chiyoda Line, the Marunouchi Line and the Ginza Line.

Building on its record in Japan, Toshiba is now promoting a global expansion of its railway business by proposing its environmental friendly PMSM drive system and other products and systems to rail transport operators around the world.

About Toshiba

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Toshiba Group brings innovation to a wide range of businesses: digital products, electronic devices, industrial and social infrastructure systems, and home appliances. Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm