CHASHANG -- A Chinese manufactured stainless steel metro vehicle began its journey to Turkey from central China's Hunan Province on Sunday, the first of its kind to be exported to the European market.

Liu Youmei, an official with CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co., Ltd, said the vehicle, which consists of three carriages, is being taken to Shanghai Port, where it will be shipped to Turkey's capital Ankara on June 11, arriving by mid-July.

Another 107 stainless steel metro vehicles will be sent to Turkey, Liu said.

With a speed of 80 km per hour, the vehicle holds a maximum of 1,008 passengers. The interior has been made higher to accommodate taller European people, Liu said.

In April, CSR Zhuzhou and Turkish companies in Ankara set up joint ventures in the production and maintenance of urban rail vehicles, electric locomotives and high-speed trains.