Italy restarts from Naples. The Campania capital is rediscovered for once as the country's capital, thanks to two important events that take place between today and tomorrow in two towns in its province, Pomigliano d'Arco and Nola.
These two towns are in fact at the center of national attention for the relaunch of large-scale industry and the competitiveness of Made in Italy. Or made in Naples, it would be better to say at this point.
The first event concerns the much discussed Fiat factory in Pomigliano, where the new Panda model will be produced. The appointment is for tomorrow, with the Fiat top management in full force (ministers Fornero and Passera are also expected). Just today was meanwhile resolved the node relating to the new contract, especially felt in these parts, finally signed by all trade unions except Fiom.
But Marchionne had already flaunted confidence in an interview with Corriere: "I'm not anti-Italian and I demonstrate it by relaunching Pomigliano: transferring production of the new Panda from Poland to the center of Campania was an irrational and counter-current choice which especially surprised investors and analysts. The new Panda is a great opportunity - Marchionne underlined - to demonstrate to the world that Italians know how to work well and that they have all the potential to relaunch our country and the Italian automotive industry, in a factory that was previously difficult, and which now it will become a center of excellence”.
Just as excellent it will be Italo, the name of the high-speed train built by NTV (New Passenger Transport), the new entrepreneurial adventure of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo and Diego Della Valle, and presented in Nola, this morning.
In fact, in the small town a few kilometers from Naples stands the factory where the fleet of twenty-five very high-speed trains (manufactured by the French Alstom). of the AGV type (Automotrice Grande Vitesse) equipped with the same traction system as the train which on 3 April 2007 set the world rail speed record at 574,8 km/h. However, the convoys will travel on the Italian network at a maximum speed of 300 km/h.
Italo will have a capacity of 460 seats, distributed on 11 carriages for a total length of 200 meters, and will connect 9 cities and 12 stations: Turin, Milan, Venice, Padua, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples and Salerno. In the capital Ntv will serve Ostiense and Tiburtina, in Milan at Porta Garibaldi and Rogoredo, in Turin Porta Susa. All Grandi Stazioni high-speed stations will host services for those who purchase tickets from the new railway company. The most popular line will obviously be the Milan-Rome line, with 17 scheduled daily trips, three of which are non-stop. Instead, there will be 5 daily trips between the capital and Venice
An operation strongly desired by Montezemolo and Della Valle to offer a new high quality service to travellers, in competition with Trenitalia. But to see it at work, it will be necessary to wait for the approval of the safety authority, which will arrive "no later than March", according to CEO Giuseppe Sciarrone during the presentation.
“We had a few problems and too many restrictions – he underlined controversially Montezemolo today – but let's look ahead and we are convinced that a period of choice, competition and the desire to do well is finally opening up for citizens".
The other partner is also satisfied XNUMX Diego Della Valle: "Finally we leave, now let's enjoy the train that I haven't seen yet, finally we will travel well by train".
The challenge to Trenitalia is launched. And the first train leaves from Naples.
