Hungarian automotive industry: week 14
Last week saw wage talks at Audi Hungaria and Autoliv finally end with agreements and announcements on major investments creating hundreds of jobs. Let´s recap what week 14 brought in Hungary´s automotive sector.
Manufacturers
Audi Hungaria managed to reach an agreement with the strike committee, thus avoiding work stoppage at the Győr-based manufacturer.
 |
The new Audi A3 model family, including the A3 sedan and Cabriolet manufactured in Győr, Hungary, will feature advanced driver assistance systems, new engines and a redesigned front and rear end.
Last week, we tested the new Mercedes-Benz GLC. Our the test car was fitted with an economic diesel engine, all-wheel drive, air suspension, Burmester audio system and a number of driver assistance systems.
 |
| The new Audi A3 Cabriolet |
The Audi Hungaria thermo-management team and HNS Műszaki Fejlesztő Kft., a Hungarian engineering firm based in Győr Business Park, have developed a new test method and testing equipment for testing thermostats and water pumps.
Last week, Tesla announced an all-new model, and Hungary is also among the candidates as a location for the American manufacturer's European plant. Of course, there is a fierce competition with many other countries in play.
 |
| Tesla Model 3 unveiled |
Suppliers
A BorgWarner investment will create 600 new jobs in Oroszlány. The automotive supplier is investing HUF 15.5 billion in Komárom-Esztergom county.
Mitsuba has announced a HUF 4.3 billion investment in Salgótarján. The automotive supplier will double its production capacity with a €13.5 million investment, creating 150 new jobs in Nógrád county by December 2017.
 |
| BorgWarner announces state-subsidized investment |
Soon after the we had reported on the agreement at Audi Hungaria, Autoliv also announced that the management had successfully reached an agreement with the Hungarian Metalworkers' Federation (Vasas), the representative of the company's employees, and the strike was called off.
Hungary's first community higher education centre has been opened in Hatvan, to launch an electrical engineering and international economics BSc course in September with the cooperation of Bosch.
 |
Nemak Győr Alumíniumöntöde Kft. has seen a major development, currently employing over 1,200 people. The cylinder head manufacturer needs highly trained employees, which is why the company boasts a separate department for social responsibilities and dual education.
Krzysztof Zylinski has been appointed CEO at France-based Schneider Electric's Zalaegerszeg plant, a manufacturer of miniature circuit breakers and accessories.
Service providers
The Hungarian Trade Union Federation has launched a signature collecting campaign to fight for better working conditions in the transport sector. The initiative is in line with similar efforts coming from the rest of Europe.
Jörg Schmidt has been appointed as the new chief-executive of Mercedes-Benz Hungária Kft. and EvoBus Hungária Kft.
 |
| Jörg Schmidt appointed CEO at Mercedes-Benz Kecskemét |
The Hungarian Leasing Association and the Hungarian Association of Automobile Dealers (GÉMOSZ) proposed a plan to ban the import of used cars that are more than eight years old to Hungary as part of an effort to push down the average age of the domestic vehicle fleet.
Education
Changes have been introduced to the dual education system. Participating companies can now deduct trainer salaries from their vocational training contributions.
Dynamic development doesn't stop at Kecskemét College. Material engineering, vehicle engineering, technical manager courses maintain their popularity, while mechanical engineering and IT engineering courses are becoming more and more sought after.
Economy
The automotive sector still seems to offer the most attractive career path in Hungary, but the service industry is not at all far behind. Ranstad has handed out the Ranstad Award to the most attractive employers in Hungary for the third time. In first place, we find Győr-based Audi Hungaria. followed by the Mercedes-Benz Kecskemét plant in secod place. Read the full list of awardees here.
 |
| Audi Hungaria ranks top company at Ranstad Award 2016 |
The latest data from the Central Statistical Office (KSH) shows that the volume of Hungary's industrial output fell by 0.8 percent in February compared to the previous month and increased by 6.3 percent year-on-year from 2015.
