Car firm snubs L.A.

Public squabbling has led a rail car maker to move its planned assembly operations for more than 100 new Metrolink cars from Los Angeles to Philadelphia.

Rotem Co., a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co., said it has decided to move the operations--and the 200 new jobs it will create--to the East Coast, even though the cars will be transported back to Los Angeles once they are completed.

The deal is part of a $305 million contract to build 107 cars for Metrolink, a southern California commuter rail service.

Local Councilman Ed Reyes objected to the proposal, slated for Taylor Yard, because he wants to build a community park there.

Staff reporter Richard Clough can be reached at [phone], ext. 251, or at [e-mail].