Hungarian automotive industry: week 16 2018 edition
Audi Hungaria made headlines last week in Germany with the alleged drop of production for the Audi TT. The Győr-based Audi plant is denying the claims. Let’s recap what last week brought in Hungary’s automotive sector.
Interview
There are nearly 100 Hungarian suppliers involved in the production of Credo buses, with Kravtex-Kühne planning to increase the number of local SMEs in their supply chain. Marketing and communications director Attila Tormássy said he considers the last two years a turning point in Hungarian bus manufacturing. According to Tormássy, players in the bus industry have finally begun on their growth course.
The plastics industry employs approximately 60,000 people at 700 businesses in Hungary. According to Gábor Farkass, member of the Hungarian Plastics Industry Association (MMSz), the segment can sometimes experience fluctuation as high as 30 percent, which is why the development of vocational training is just as important as resolving the wage situation.
The groundbreaking ceremony for ZF’s new transmission plant in Eger was held last summer. The project is expected to be completed in a few months. CEO Csilla Őszi said the gearboxes manufactured at the new plant will be fitted into the Audi Q5.
Production
Audi have no plans to end the production of the Audi TT sports car, denying news that made headlines in German newspapers. According to a spokesperson from Győr, the misunderstanding could be a result of the fact that the sports car segment is currently experiencing a decline with sales favouring urban utility vehicles (SUV).
Tobroco Machinery Kft. will purchase new machinery and equipment at its Eger plant with a HUF 300 million investment. The parent company is engaged in the assembly of construction and agricultural machinery, with the Eger plant manufacturing welded components at a 5,000sqm production hall.
Tolnatext Bt. has reported on growing revenues in 2017. The company manufactures industrial textiles for applications in the automotive, rubber and construction industries. In 2017, 88 percent of the company’s products were marketed abroad.
Finances
A 12-13 percent wage increase is expected in the private sector this year, with wage talks coming to an end at most workplaces.
Companies will be refunded for any unused SZÉP cards: there are funds amounting to more than HUF 4.3 billion on the cards, while the deadline is ending at the end of May.
Economy
German businesses operating in Hungary are positive and optimistic about the Hungarian economic climate, but are also deeply concerned about the level of corruption.
PwC has made a survey with the involvement of 1,155 managers from 26 countries on the approach of global manufacturers towards Industry 4.0 and digital operation. The survey revealed that two-thirds of the participating companies had no digital strategies.
A German-Hungarian innovation project is calling for applications with a deadline on May 30th.
Education
MÁV Group and the University Dunaújváros have signed a HUF 20 million R&D agreement with an indefinite duration for the technical renovation of HÉV railway units.
LuK Savaria Kuplunggyártó Kft. has carried out a project with the involvement of university students, where participants had to come up with solutions for technical challenges.
