Italo Holding, private high-speed operator in Italy, plans to enter the German railway market in 2028 with an investment plan of 3.6 billion euros. The core of this operation will be a contract of 3 billion euros with Siemens Mobility to supply 26 high-speed trains, with the possibility of incorporating 14 more units, in addition to a comprehensive service agreement for 30 years, according to both companies.
The new trains, belonging to the Siemens Velaro Multi System family, will be able to run at a maximum speed of 320 km/h. They will consist of eight cars and offer 450 seats, divided into three classes: Club Executive, Prima Business, and Smart. They will also include a restaurant car and high-speed 5G and Starlink satellite connectivity systems.
The total investment of 3.6 billion euros in Germany will cover not only the purchase of rolling stock, which will be assembled at the Siemens plant in Krefeld (Germany), but also the hiring and training of around 2,500 workers for operations and related activities, as well as works at stations and IT systems.
This package also includes a 30-year comprehensive service contract, which includes the complete maintenance of the trains at the Siemens Mobility depot located in Dortmund (Germany).
Starting from mid-2028, a German company controlled by Italo will operate two main corridors: Munich-Cologne-Dortmund and Munich-Berlin-Hamburg. The network will cover about 1,300 kilometers, serve 18 cities, and offer a total of 50 daily services.
"We are committed to offering German passengers a greater variety of options, more frequent services, fair prices, and high-quality service," commented Gianbattista La Rocca, CEO of Italo Holding.
"I am sure that, thanks also to the high-quality trains from Siemens, a new German company will emerge, committed to sustainability, that will generate jobs and opportunities for thousands of people, driving market growth, better prices, and high-quality service, just as happened in Italy with the arrival of Italo," stated Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, president of Italo Holding.
"This long-term collaboration agreement, which encompasses trains and 30 years of comprehensive service, is a flagship project and a firm demonstration of commitment to the creation of industrial value and 'made in Germany'," noted Michael Peter, CEO of Siemens Mobility.