Reuters interviewed Manatt's Thomas McMorrow, a partner in the firm's Government and Regulatory practice, for an article on the international manufacturers that are competing for the estimated $1 billion contract in California's $68 billion bullet train project.
While "bullet train" manufacturers from Germany, Japan, South Korea and France are expected to be among those jockeying for the contract, Chinese state firms are poised to be strong contenders because they offer low prices and generous financing. However, safety could emerge as a concern over a Chinese bid, considering a Chinese bullet train crash in 2011.
"Safety and technology come into play, and this keeps the project open to those with the most experience in high-speed rail - Japanese, French and German interests," said McMorrow.