Montezemolo's Italo to Deploy 30 High‑Speed Trains in Germany

Former Ferrari chief Luca di Montezemolo, acting as the public face of Italy’s high‑speed rail operator Italo, announced plans to enter the German long‑distance market. Starting in April 2028 the company intends to run 30 Siemens‑built high‑speed trains on up to 56 daily connections linking Munich, Cologne, Dortmund, Berlin and Hamburg, directly competing with Deutsche Bahn and promising improved service on the busiest routes.

Italo, which captured roughly one‑third of Italy’s high‑speed market since its launch in 2012, will use the German rollout to expand its footprint. Montezemolo emphasized that the venture is not meant to damage Deutsche Bahn but to raise competition standards. He will serve as the project’s figurehead, while day‑to‑day operations will be managed by Italo’s existing team.