TOKYO - Hitachi has opened a new railcar factory in Maryland that showcases how Japanese companies are adapting to U.S. trade policies under President Trump. The plant departs from traditional track-based assembly, using laser-guided vehicles that carry train bodies freely around the floor.
This approach allows more flexible production and safer working conditions by removing fixed rails and reducing the need for cranes.
The facility also makes extensive use of digital technology and artificial intelligence. A Boston Dynamics robot inspects completed car bodies for scratches, offering consistent quality checks while reducing reliance on human judgment. Three-dimensional scanners are used to confirm whether complex parts are manufactured in line with design specifications, improving precision and efficiency.
Hitachi invested about $100 million, or 15 billion yen, in the Maryland plant, with roughly 30 percent dedicated to digital systems. The factory will supply 256 railcars for the Washington Metro and more than 600 units across North America.
Beyond railcars, Hitachi is expanding its U.S. presence. On September 5th, the company announced an additional $1 billion (about 150 billion yen) investment. Of this, $457 million will go toward building a new plant in Virginia to produce large power transformers, responding to growing demand from data centers and other industries. The move signals Hitachi’s broader strategy of leveraging tariffs as a chance to strengthen its position in the American market.
Source: テレ東BIZ
