Materfer
Materfer is an Argentine manufacturer of railway rolling stock, locomotives, buses, trolleybuses and related transport equipment.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Materfer, an acronym derived from Material Ferroviario S.A., is an Argentine transportation-equipment manufacturer based in Ferreyra, Córdoba Province. The company was created by Fiat Ferroviaria through Fiat Concord to establish domestic production of railway vehicles for Argentina's state railway system, Ferrocarriles Argentinos. Its factory began operating in 1958 and became one of the country's most important railway-manufacturing sites, producing diesel multiple units, passenger coaches, locomotives, underground cars, trams and freight equipment. Materfer's early development was closely linked to the expansion and modernization of Argentina's railways. Its first major domestic railcar, the Fiat 7131, entered service in 1962 on routes of the General Mitre Railway. The lightweight diesel units were designed for passenger services on lines where conventional locomotive-hauled trains were less efficient. Materfer and associated Fiat operations subsequently supplied coaches for Buenos Aires suburban services, including the Belgrano Norte line, and manufactured additional rolling stock for Ferrocarriles Argentinos during the 1970s. During the 1980s, Materfer broadened its production and began exporting railway products. The company manufactured the Transfer family of diesel locomotives and built Fiat-Materfer underground cars for the Buenos Aires Underground. It also produced small railcars known as Pitufos for branch-line services and later supplied trams for the Buenos Aires Premetro. At its peak in the 1980s, the Ferreyra factory employed approximately 2,500 people and produced roughly one passenger coach per day. Its plant covers about 66,000 square metres and contains extensive metalworking, welding, electrofusion, cutting, folding and crane equipment. The company's fortunes declined alongside the deterioration and eventual privatization of Argentina's railway system. Materfer declared bankruptcy in February 1998 and closed. It was acquired by Argentine entrepreneur Sergio Taselli in March 2002 and reopened with a very small workforce. A 2007 government authorization allowed it to operate in the automotive sector, import components and export finished vehicles, leading to a broader product portfolio that included urban buses as well as railway equipment. The company also manufactured agricultural machinery under the Maraní Agrinar brand. In its second era, Materfer returned to public-sector and regional railway projects. It supplied railcars for Entre Ríos services, participated in refurbishment work on older Fiat 7131 units, developed a trolleybus for Mendoza, and introduced the MTF-3300 diesel-electric freight locomotive in 2014 through an agreement with National Railway Equipment. In 2015 it produced CMM 400-2 diesel multiple units for the Tren del Valle service between Neuquén and Cipolletti and for services associated with the Mitre Line and projects in Chaco. Materfer remains associated with Argentine industrial capability in rail and road transport. Its current and recent product range includes diesel multiple units, freight locomotives, freight wagons and buses. The company has historically served domestic operators and government agencies while also pursuing export opportunities in Latin America. Publicly available reference material does not establish a current corporate parent, stock-market listing, official website or present executive roster.
History
Materfer was established by Fiat Ferroviaria through Fiat Concord, a consortium of Fiat subsidiaries operating in Argentina. The project responded to the need for locally manufactured railway equipment for Ferrocarriles Argentinos, the state-owned railway organization that operated Argentina's national network from 1948 to 1991. A factory was built at Ferreyra in Córdoba Province, and production began in 1958. The company's first defining product was the Fiat 7131 diesel multiple unit. Argentina agreed in 1958 to acquire 210 new railcars, initially produced across facilities in Italy, France and Argentina. The Argentine plant became the principal domestic manufacturing location for the program. The two-car units used Fiat diesel power, offered a reported 115 km/h top speed and were light enough for use across a range of railway lines. In 1962 the 7131 entered service on the Villa Ballester–Zárate and Victoria–Capilla del Señor sections of the General Mitre Railway, replacing older Ganz railcars on those routes. Materfer's production expanded during the 1960s and 1970s. Aerfer-built coaches were introduced on the Belgrano Norte line in 1964, followed by additional coaches in 1968. Materfer later supplied FIAT III coaches in 1975. The wider Fiat industrial network also participated in the manufacture of locomotive parts and spares through the Gruppo Aziende Italo Argentine, known as GAIA, which operated between 1956 and 1968. During the 1980s, the Ferreyra plant became a large-scale industrial operation. Materfer manufactured diesel locomotives under the Transfer name and began exporting railway products to countries including Cuba, Bolivia, Uruguay and Chile. It also built Fiat-Materfer underground cars for the Buenos Aires Underground. These vehicles were intended to help standardize a highly diverse subway fleet and lower maintenance complexity, but production was ultimately limited to the needs of Line E rather than the complete network. The cars remained in service for many years and were later used as temporary replacement vehicles as newer rolling stock arrived. Materfer also developed small railcars for branch services. In 1987, after maintenance problems affected the Fiat 7131 fleet, Ferrocarriles Argentinos acquired eight Materfer units for the Zárate and Capilla del Señor branches. Their small size led passengers and railway workers to nickname them Pitufos, although their limited capacity and ride characteristics meant that many older 7131 units continued operating. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the company built its last vehicles under the Fiat Ferroviaria name, including trams for Buenos Aires Premetro line E2. The decline of Argentina's railway system had a severe effect on Materfer. Following railway privatization and reduced investment, the company declared bankruptcy in February 1998 and closed. In March 2002, Sergio Taselli acquired the business and reopened the Ferreyra factory with only five employees. A 2007 government decree gave Materfer authority to operate as an automotive company and to import components and export completed vehicles. This enabled diversification into urban buses, alongside continued railway work. The company also produced combine harvesters under the Maraní Agrinar brand. The revived company pursued contracts with national and provincial transport bodies. It offered to manufacture rolling stock for Belgrano Cargas after the freight railway was taken over by the Argentine government, supplied railcars for Entre Ríos services and participated in the refurbishment of Fiat 7131 units used by Trenes Especiales Argentinos. In 2012–2013 it developed a low-floor trolleybus for Mendoza's provincial transport operator. The prototype was delivered in March 2013 and entered service in June; a subsequent order for 12 similar production vehicles began delivery in 2014. Materfer's later railway portfolio included the MTF-3300 diesel-electric freight locomotive, unveiled in 2014 through cooperation with National Railway Equipment and based on the General Motors GT-26 design family. In 2015 the company produced CMM 400-2 diesel multiple units for the Tren del Valle route between Neuquén and Cipolletti, as well as units associated with planned services in Chaco and Salta. CMM 400-2 trainsets were also introduced on the diesel-operated portion of the Mitre Line between Victoria and Capilla del Señor. The available reference material confirms the company's continuing activity but does not provide a reliable current ownership structure, executive list, financial profile or official website.
- 2015
CMM 400-2 delivered
[1]CMM 400-2 railcars were produced for Tren del Valle and other Argentine services.
- 2014
MTF-3300 launched
[1]The company introduced its MTF-3300 diesel-electric freight locomotive.
- 2013
Mendoza trolleybus prototype delivered
[1]Materfer delivered a low-floor trolleybus prototype for Mendoza's trolleybus system.
- 2007
Expansion into automotive manufacturing
[1]Government authorization enabled Materfer to operate as an automotive manufacturer and begin producing buses.
- 2002
Acquisition and reopening
[1]Sergio Taselli acquired Materfer and reopened the factory with an initial workforce of five.
- 1998
Bankruptcy and closure
[1]Materfer declared bankruptcy in February and closed its operations.
- 1987
Pitufos railcars supplied
[1]Eight small Materfer railcars were acquired for the Zárate and Capilla del Señor branches.
- 1980
Fiat vehicle operations shift to Sevel Argentina
[1]Sevel Argentina took over Fiat's vehicle operations in Argentina; Materfer's railway-manufacturing history remained rooted in the Fiat industrial group.
- 1975
FIAT III coaches supplied
[1]Materfer supplied additional passenger coaches for the Belgrano Norte line.
- 1962
Fiat 7131 enters Argentine service
[1]The company's first major domestic diesel multiple unit entered service on General Mitre Railway routes.
Products and positioning
A domestic Argentine rolling-stock and transport-equipment manufacturer combining railway engineering with bus, trolleybus and selected agricultural-machinery production.
Diesel multiple unit · 1962
Fiat 7131
A lightweight Fiat diesel railcar family produced for Argentine suburban and regional services. The units began operating in 1962 and became one of Materfer's most recognizable products. Their two-cab configuration allowed operation in either direction without turning the vehicle at terminal stations. Some units were later refurbished, re-engined or reassigned to other routes.
Subway rolling stock
Fiat-Materfer Underground Cars
Subway cars built for the Buenos Aires Underground during the early to mid-1980s. They were intended to standardize the network's varied fleet and reduce maintenance complexity. Production was ultimately limited, with the vehicles primarily serving Line E and later operating as temporary substitutes on other lines.
Diesel locomotive
Transfer
A family of diesel locomotives manufactured by Materfer during the 1980s as the company expanded beyond passenger coaches and railcars. The range supported the company's participation in freight and railway modernization projects and formed part of its export-oriented production during that decade.
Diesel-electric freight locomotive · 2014
MTF-3300
A freight locomotive introduced in 2014 through an agreement with National Railway Equipment. Its design was based on the General Motors GT-26 model and it was intended for Argentine freight operations, with export prospects also discussed for Brazil.
Diesel multiple unit · 2015
CMM 400-2
A Materfer diesel multiple-unit railcar supplied for Argentine regional and suburban services. In 2015, units were produced for the Tren del Valle route between Neuquén and Cipolletti, while additional vehicles were associated with services in Chaco, Salta and the Mitre Line.
Freight wagon
CT 72
A freight-wagon model listed among Materfer's current or recent railway products. Public reference material identifies the model but does not provide sufficient technical specifications or a detailed production history.
Urban bus
MD 128
A bus model included in Materfer's road-vehicle portfolio after the company's post-2007 expansion into automotive manufacturing. Available reference material does not provide complete specifications or production dates.
Trolleybus · 2013
Mendoza trolleybus
A low-floor trolleybus developed with designs from Mendoza's provincial transport operator. The prototype was 11.23 metres long, entered service in 2013 and was followed by an order for 12 production vehicles delivered from 2014.
Brand decisions
2014
Development of the MTF-3300 locomotiveProduct launchBackground
Materfer sought to supply modern freight locomotives for Argentina and develop an exportable product.
Action taken
The company introduced the MTF-3300 through cooperation with National Railway Equipment, using a design based on the General Motors GT-26 model.
Aftermath
The locomotive became a central part of Materfer's later freight-oriented portfolio, although the available source does not confirm the scale of subsequent production or exports.
2013
Launch of Mendoza trolleybus programProduct launchBackground
Mendoza required new trolleybus equipment and worked with Materfer on a locally developed low-floor design.
Action taken
Materfer built and delivered a prototype in March 2013; it entered passenger service in June, followed by a 12-vehicle production order.
Aftermath
The program restored trolleybus production in Argentina after a long gap and led to deliveries beginning in 2014.
2007
Diversification into automotive and bus manufacturingStrategyBackground
After reopening under new ownership, Materfer sought to diversify beyond railway rolling stock and use its industrial facility for road vehicles.
Action taken
Following government authorization, the company began operating as an automotive manufacturer, importing components and producing buses for urban services.
Aftermath
The decision broadened Materfer's product portfolio while retaining railway equipment as a core activity.
Recent events
- 2015
CMM 400-2 railcars enter Argentine regional services[1]
Product launch
Materfer produced CMM 400-2 railcars for the Tren del Valle and supplied units for additional Argentine regional and suburban railway services.
- 2014
Materfer launches MTF-3300 locomotive[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Materfer introduced the MTF-3300 diesel-electric freight locomotive through an agreement with National Railway Equipment, using a design derived from the General Motors GT-26 concept.
- 2013
Materfer delivers Mendoza trolleybus prototype[1]
Product launch
Materfer completed and delivered a low-floor trolleybus prototype for Mendoza, the first trolleybus built in Argentina in 24 years according to the reference account.
- 2013
Mendoza orders production trolleybuses[1]
Product launch
The Empresa Provincial de Transportes de Mendoza placed an order for 12 production trolleybuses based on the prototype design, with deliveries beginning in 2014.
- 2007
Argentina authorizes Materfer to operate as an automotive manufacturer[1]
Regulation
A government decree authorized Materfer to operate in the automotive sector, import spare parts and export finished vehicles, supporting its move into bus production.
- 2002
Materfer reopens after acquisition by Sergio Taselli[1]
M&A
Argentine entrepreneur Sergio Taselli acquired Materfer in March 2002 and restarted the factory with a small initial workforce.
- 1998
Materfer declares bankruptcy and closes[1]
Bankruptcy
Materfer entered bankruptcy in February 1998 and ceased operations during the company's first era.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/materfer · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled