In 2001, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) began seeking bids for a new order of light rail vehicles for the Gold Line.

[3] Four companies submitted proposals; Bombardier, Kinki Sharyo, Siemens, and AnsaldoBreda.

Siemens's proposal did not meet LACMTA requirements, and Bombardier declined to bid due to the terms of the contract.

[5] Bodyshells for the cars were built in Pistoia, Italy, with final assembly in Pittsburg, California.

[14] Kinki Sharyo is refurbishing the fleet at their Palmdale, California facility, beginning in 2023 with Car 721.