September the 25th, 2026 – Končar has showcased Croatian manufacturing to the world in Berlin, taking the most prominent positions at this year’s InnoTrans.
Končar’s striking visuals were visible in the most prominent positions right at the entrance to the space of the prestigious fair, and the scene at the very entrance to the exhibition area was spectacular, where Končar’s train, a top product of Croatian industry, was positioned in a more prominent place than giants such as Alstom and Stadler. Sinisa Malus reports for Poslovni that after it was put into regular service on the Zagreb – Split route a week earlier in cooperation with the customer HŽ Passenger Transport, the second train from this series has now also been presented to the international public. With the global premiere of its latest solution for more modern, more comfortable and more sustainable passenger transport, Končar has once again confirmed that the knowledge, competences and technological solutions developed in Croatia compete on equal terms with the biggest names in the European railway industry.
croatia impresses visitors from around the world
The InnoTrans fair in Berlin once again brought together the world’s leading manufacturers, carriers, operators and experts from the fields of transport technology, railways, public transport and sustainable mobility. Among the most visited parts of the fair was the outdoor exhibition area with 3,500 metres of track, on which 130 exhibitors from 17 countries of the world exhibited a total of 113 vehicles, including the latest generations of trains, locomotives and vehicles with alternative propulsion systems. Precisely in such an international environment Končar is presenting technological solutions developed and produced in Croatia for the jubilee 10th time, confirming its position among the relevant European manufacturers of modern rail vehicles and advanced solutions for sustainable urban mobility.
berlin breaks records
All 42 exhibition halls in the Berlin Messe complex, with a total exhibition area of around 200 thousand square metres, are completely full. After two years ago it was the only one at InnoTrans to present a battery train, which then also became the first such product in commercial use in Europe and one of the first such products in the whole world, Končar has also displayed its new bimodal electro-diesel train at one of the most attractive positions on the outdoor exhibition area of the fair – on 75-metre-long tracks.
At the same time, the latest solutions for railway infrastructure, electrification, urban mobility and traffic digitalisation were presented on the spacious indoor area, further emphasising the ability of the domestic company to independently develop and deliver integrated technological solutions for the transport systems of the future.
“The presentation of our latest bimodal train at InnoTrans is confirmation that Končar today stands side by side with the leading European manufacturers of railway vehicles. It is a product of a new generation that confirms the strength of domestic knowledge, innovation and industrial competences and Končar’s ability to respond to the requirements of modern and sustainable railway transport. We believe that precisely with such projects we contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the Croatian economy and positioning Croatia among the countries that actively participate in shaping the future of sustainable mobility in Europe,” emphasised Končar Management Board President Gordan Kolak.
One train, two sources of propulsion and no compromises – precisely this idea guided the development of the new Končar bimodal electro-diesel train that combines the advantages of electric and diesel traction and enables uninterrupted traffic on electrified and non-electrified sections of the railway network. Additional operational adaptability is provided by the possibility of controlling up to three coupled units from one driver’s cab, whereby the capacity of the train can be adapted to the actual transport needs. Accordingly, it is an innovation that represents a direct response to the need for more sustainable and more efficient railway transport on long routes that encompass both types of infrastructure, and is the result of many years of experience and independent development at Končar – Electric Vehicles.
With its presentation Končar rounds off a unique development portfolio of trains and, after electric, diesel-electric and battery trains, is introducing the fourth propulsion platform developed and produced in Croatia to the market. The new train is also one of the best references of the long and successful application of Croatian products in domestic railway transport. Namely, the model from the new generation that was put into service last week represents a total of the 70th train that Končar has delivered to HŽ Passenger Transport, which further confirms the joint orientation towards the modernisation of the domestic railway system.
a new era
“The new train for long-distance transport combines the development, design and production competences of the Končar Group. Thanks to the bimodal propulsion system it ensures a high level of reliability and quality of service on the entire network, while bringing passengers a higher standard of comfort through first class, a catering zone and full accessibility for persons with reduced mobility. It is a technologically advanced and operationally flexible solution that meets the requirements of modern railway transport and the long-term needs of sustainable mobility,” emphasised Josip Ninić, President of the Management Board of Končar – Electric Vehicles.
By developing advanced rail vehicles, digital platforms and integrated solutions for critical infrastructure, including railway and transport systems, Končar is increasingly entering a new era of electroenergetics and urban mobility and occupying the position of a serious European partner for the implementation of complex projects. In this way it not only confirms the technological strength of Croatian industry, but also actively contributes to positioning Croatia as a relevant participant in the European green and digital transition and one of the centres of development of the technologically most complex solutions in this part of Europe.
This year InnoTrans is celebrating its 30th anniversary – and, quite fittingly, the fair is recording new record figures. For the first time more than 3,170 exhibitors will participate, which is around 200 more than in 2024, which was also a record year. All 42 exhibition halls in the Berlin Messe complex, with a total exhibition area of around 200 thousand square metres, are completely full. The same applies to the outdoor exhibition area of InnoTrans of 20 thousand square metres, where this year 113 vehicles from 17 countries will be exhibited.
Of the approximately 130 exhibitors presenting themselves on the outdoor area, around 30 of them are participating in that segment for the first time. Therefore the event has great prospects of surpassing the record attendance of around 170 thousand visitors from 2024. That is a huge advance compared to the modest beginnings of what is today the world’s leading railway transport fair.
