The railway industry is winning more than 50 per cent of its sales volume abroad – and the tendency is increasing. The world market that is accessible for the branch is about 106 billion Euro per year and has an annual growth rate of about 2.7 per cent.

For the railway industry the Asia/Pacific region is still an attractive market with a market volume of about 26 billion Euro. Strong groth rates between 7.5 and 10 per cent are estimated in the Middle East/Africa region and South America.

Western Europe remains the most important segment for the railway industry with a volume of more than 32 billion Euro. This region is still the decisive driving force with regard to innovative technological solutions in the railway business, e.g. in the field of the European “rail intelligence” ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System).

Commercial success of the railway industry in the West European domestic market cannot be achieved by German engineering and business skills alone. What the manufacturers of railway technology need to achieve success is a rail-oriented political philosophy – in Germany and the rest of Europe – which is significant for decisions made about the growth conditions of the railway transport.