Companies from France, Italy, Germany, and Austria presented their proposals to build the Sugar Loaf second generation of cable cars. The winner was Officine Meccaniche Aguido Spa, of Milan, Italy. They won based on their technical expertise and cost.
The budget of modernization cost US$2 million and work started on July 13, 1970. During the construction of the new system, mountaineers were not necessary for bringing up materials, as the old Sugar Loaf cable cars were very handy and operated as passenger and cargo cars.
In October 29, 1972, the new system was inaugurated. The old cable cars became cargo-only until 1974, and then were replaced by new cargo cars that continue to operate today.
Click here to see photos of Sugar Loaf in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil