Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Botswana, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Yugoslavia & Zimbabwe
The EMD GT22 Series were first introduced in 1972 after the rise in popularity of six axle locomotives. The GT series now carried a turbocharger that increased the horsepower depending on customer input. The GT series also utilized six axle HTC Trucks, which allowed the locomotive to haul heavier loads at slower speeds with minimal wheelslip.
The GT22C series also gave itself various individual designations depending on customer input. Standard suffixes after the model designation were either a U or W suffix to indicate the type of traction motors. A C generally indicated six axle trucks but due to a six axle locomotive being too oversized for most second and third world countries, EMD developed the L suffix to indicate the locomotive was constructed with a Lightweight frame. EMD Dash 2 electronics also became a popular choice for the export railroads by the late 1970s.
These designations could apply to any kind of export locomotive design of EMD or another licensee of EMD as long as the electrical & mechanical gear was left unaltered.