A total of 144 train cars were jointly built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and the Taiwan Rolling Stock Company, and began operation in 2012.

Each train car forms a six-car set made out of stainless steel with four doors on each side.

[1] The first 36 train cars were built by Kawasaki at its rolling stock plant in Hyōgo, Japan whereas the remainder were built domestically by the Taiwan Rolling Stock Company (TRSC) to support the domestic rail industry.

[citation needed] The biggest difference between the appearance of the C381 and its predecessors is the adoption of a more aerodynamic design for the FRP panel on the front.

It is made of FRP material and has a 45-minute fire and flame resistant design, but there are still many new changes.

[2] The interior gangway connections are modified versions of Taiwan Railways Administration EMU800 series trains that have a similar design.