Hungarian automotive industry: week 16

Manufacturers

Magyar Suzuki Corporation appointed a new CEO last week. Takeuchi Naoyuki took over as executive director on April 14. Former director Oura Ryoichi returned to his original field of expertise, and he now fills in the position of director responsible for production.

Takeuchi Naoyuki, new CEO at Magyar Suzuki Corporation

Following an expansion project in 2014, the Győr-Pér Airport is now operating at full capacity. Airport safety has been improved thanks to a EUR 6.69 million investment, which included the lengthening of the runway and installation of a new landing and lighting system. Last year, 33,000 passengers travelled between Audi's Győr and Ingolstadt-based locations.

Suppliers

Last week, Robert Bosch Elektronika Kft. inaugurated a HUF 170 billion (EUR 510 million) training centre in Hatvan.

Last week, LuK Savaria celebrated the 75 millionth clutch manufactured at its Szombathely plant. Celebrating major milestones has been a tradition at the company for years.

Bosch hands over new training centre in Hatvan

Bosal Hungary Kft. has signed an agreement with Goodman Kecskemét Logistics Centre on leasing a 7,700-square-metre logistics facility at the site.

Electronic fan systems manufacture Papst Hungary Kft. has announced a EUR 4.5 million capacity expansion in Vecsés to build a new production hall and create 300 new jobs.

It was announced last week that tyre manufacturer Apollo Tyres would receive a vocational training aid valued at HUF 600 million (EUR 2 million). One of the conditions of the support is that the company must employ its trainees for at least one year after the training period has finished. Apollo Tyres has agreed to employ 70 percent of the participants for at least one and a half years.

LuK Savaria celebrates 75 millionth clutch product manufactured at Szombathely plant

The automotive interiors business of Magna has been bought by Spain-based automotive supplier Grupo Antolin. As a result, the Spanish group has also acquired the Canadian giant's Helvécia and Esztergom-based factories. The acquisition of the Hungarian subsidiaries has been confirmed by the press department of the Canadian parent.

Last week, Japanese audio and hi-fi systems manufacturer Alpine signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Hungarian government.

Last week, Emerson Process Management Hungary handed over a new, 25,000-square-metre plant in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. Fisher, the company's valve systems manufacturing division, has moved in to a facility previously owned by Philips with an over HUF 3 billion investment.

Education

International Logistics is now a course offered at the College of Kecskemét. A Bremen-based college and German companies have taken part in drafting the curriculum for the new course.

The teams are already preparing for the 8th International AVENTICS Pneumobil Competition, a student competition with alternative drive vehicles to be held on May 8–9, 2015. The event, to be held in Eger, northeast Hungary, will line up vehicles powered by compressed air, fully developed and built by student teams from 26 domestic and international universities.

Alpine signs strategic partnership agreement with Hungarian government

Mercedes-Benz Dual Education Centre, the Technical Vocational School of Kecskemét and the Gáspár András Vocational School and Secondary School will hold a student competition between April 13–15, 2015, called Excellent Student of the Trade (Szakma Kiváló Tanulója).

Economy

It was reported last week that in March, EKÁER (Electronic Trade and Transport Control System) has produced HUF 1.5 billion in tax proceeds.

Minister for National Economy János Lázár gave an interview last week regarding Tata's plans to build a Jaguar plant in the region. The politician suggested Zalaegerszeg as a possible location of the new factory. His reasoning was the new M9 highway road, which will provide excellent connection for the town in southwest Hungary.

The output of Hungary's industrial production continues to grow, and Hungary has become one of Europe's best developing countries in recent years, said the Ministry for National Economy (NGM) in a statement as a reaction to the latest data published by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH).

Arabian Sherbiny has built a HUF 300 million (EUR 1 million) engineering and innovation centre in Gödöllő. The facility was built with a nearly USD 1 billion investment by Saudi industrial and trade firm Sherbiny, creating 50 new jobs in the region.

HUF vs EUR - week 16. Source: Portfolio

In the second half of last week, the forint dropped significantly against the euro, although staying near the 300 barrier. The trend changed by the end of the week and on Friday, when the Hungarian currency saw a slight improvement.