The kick-off of hostilities is actually given. SNCF confirmed yesterday that she became a partner and industrial Italian NTV, thus launching the movement of consolidation in passenger rail Europe, with "the first competitor deprived of high speed in Europe". With a participation of 20 ("Les Echos" of yesterday), the French group "will be the only industrial shareholder" of the Italian, who wants to engage in high speed from the liberalisation of the transalpine market in 2011. At his side, SNCF will be including three businessmen founding of NTV Luca Di Montezemolo, President of Fiat, Diego Della Valle, the creator of Tod's, and Gianni Punzo which will hold all 38.4 of the capital. The Italian group is valued around 400 million euros according to our information, the share of 20 means an investment of some 80 million.
"It is a very original partnership, with investors taking risks: usual is often the State investing in high-speed rail", commented Mireille Faugère, Director General passenger France Europe (VFE), the domestic main lines of the French group. Extremely proactive, NTV has indeed decided to as early as now the means to succeed, investing 600 million euros for the purchase of 25 trainsets of Alstom AGV. It was that experience in high speed. "This is why we have established contacts since 2007 to him prove our expertise," says Mireille Faugère, "proud" to have been chosen in a competition in which took part also the Deutsche Bahn. This cooperation will be through a series of trade agreements. "We have only two seats on the Board of Directors on a total of 14." "It is the NTV which manages and operates the company, we will propose it only our know-how," continues the leader. In clear, the Italian group will therefore decide lift or contracts on commercial themes or exploitation. "As a first step, NTV will benefit from our experience in distribution or"yield management"management of rates, Editor's note.". "Then we can also work, if they wish, on loyalty, training programs and drivers, etc.", according to Mireille Faugère. That becomes in this scheme the association with Trenitalia, the Italian historical public operator, partner of 50 each in Artesia for international lines "We want to continue this association." Trenitalia nevertheless wants to take his time to discuss the new landscape.
Discussions with Air France
With this agreement, the SNCF in any case reinforces its status of leader of the high speed in Europe, claiming 53 market share which it intends to retain by 2020. To do this, the group must therefore continue to come out of its borders. "We will do the ad-hoc choice according to the markets and environments." For example, for Spanish high-speed, we reflect with Renfe in a joint venture. "For the exact terms, a final decision should be taken by the end of the year", said the patron saint of the TGV. SNCF has more interest in watching foreign competitors such as Air France could arrive on its domestic market. However, Mireille Faugère ensures that the company continues to discuss with Air France to see if there is a possibility to do things together".
This real missed Act has not gone unnoticedFirst of all the market is very changingThe unsuccessful will be many including in the ranks of the French banksTo the detriment however of the heritage valueWavefield Inseis has 8 including 5 top of rangeVincent Peillon denounced the back consultationsThe stock markets have paid in the euphoriaIn their responses managers however evoke some tracksWatches and accessories would stand betterBut it is very special and asks a few questions
