It has been ordered by Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) in Sonoma and Marin Counties, California, and by Metrolinx for the Union Pearson Express airport link in Toronto, Ontario.

Each Nippon Sharyo DMU is powered by one Cummins QSK19-R[4] diesel engine with hydraulic transmission and regenerative braking, and meets US EPA Tier 4 emission standards.

Structurally each DMU is FRA Tier 1 compliant with crash energy management features, making it capable of operating on the same line with standard North American freight trains without the need of special waivers.

TriMet considered ordering a two-car train for its Westside Express Service to supplement its fleet of Colorado Railcar DMUs; however, this procurement was canceled when an agreement could not be met with the manufacturer on a price.

While Cummins advised that correcting the design flaw could be deferred until engines' mid-life overhaul, SMART chose to have the crankshaft replaced before the service start, as it was also facing delays caused by grade-crossing warning issue and PTC certification.