By Beate Preuschoff
German train operator Deutsche Bahn AG Thursday said it's
seeking compensation from German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG
(SI) over a further delay to the delivery of 16 long-distance
trains, and will diversify its train suppliers.
Deutsche Bahn intends to "claim its rights," board member Volker
Kefer told the Wall Street Journal Deutschland, but didn't provide
details.
"We are interested in settling the issue directly with Siemens,
not in court," Mr. Kefer added.
The move comes after Siemens Wednesday again pushed back
delivery of 16 intercity-express trains, which have already been
paid for, due to technical issues that occurred during tests in
recent weeks.
Deutsche Bahn is also looking for additional suppliers to avoid
delivery delays in the future, even though this is difficult to do
in the high-speed segment, he said.
"In order to ensure a resilient train schedule we need more
stability from the supplier industry," Mr. Kefer said.
Deutsche Bahn had hoped to include the trains in its reserve
fleet this winter in case of harsh weather, but now delays and
cancellations are likely, according to Berthold Huber, chief
executive of DB Fernverkehr, Deutsche Bahn's long-distance
passenger train division.
"Our customers feel let down by Siemens," he said, adding "you
have to keep in mind that we ordered the trains in 2008 and were
promised delivery last December."
Siemens apologized for the delays, saying the company is working
closely with Deutsche Bahn to find a solution to the problem.
The delays have already had a financial impact on Siemens, which
booked nearly 70 million euros ($89.8 million) in charges in the
first quarter of fiscal 2012 due to delays by suppliers.
A Siemens spokesman declined to comment on whether the company
will have to book charges from the most recent delay.
Write to Beate Preuschoff at beate.preuschoff@dowjones.com
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