Hungarian automotive industry: week 20 2020
Fotó: MTI
The 20th week in 2020 revealed that although no automotive-specific crisis-management measures are expected, several support schemed will be available for businesses to help revive the auto industry. Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs confirmed BMW’s commitment to Debrecen project. Let's recap what the 20th week this year brought in the region's automotive industry. Clicking on the highlighted items will open up the full stories.
Production finally resumed last week at Opel’s Szentgotthárd plant with the restart of the three-cylinder PureTech petrol engine line. Opel was the last Hungarian OEM unit after Audi, Mercedes and Suzuki to resume production after the Covid-induced stoppages. Opel originally halted production in Hungary on March 23rd, along with other vehicle manufacturers.
The management of Magyar Suzuki Corporation is committed to awarding employee performance even in difficult times such as the current pandemic. In spite of the current economic situation, the company has decided in accordance with the Suzuki Workers’ Council to pay out employee bonuses in June to award their joint successes and effort in the year 2019.
Although the construction in Debrecen has been postponed by a year, both parties are engaged to performing their commitments, the contract on the construction of the new plant will take effect at the end of June 2020 without amendments.
A design and construction contract on the construction of a new road section and connecting utilities, which will allow the expansion of the Nagykanizsa Industrial Park by another 160-170 hectares, was signed last week. The total net costs of the investment amount to HUF 1.7 billion.
A pioneer achievement in the railway sector, Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems Budapest have unveiled their first product made with 3D metal printing technology. The brake control panel for railways applications, designed by Hungarian engineers, is innovative both in its design and dimensions, while being 90 percent lighter than its forged aluminium predecessor.
In 2020, Jungheinrich has received the “Best Brand in Logistics” award in the category of “Warehousing technology and commissioning” for the fourth consecutive year.
Škoda has reported on a one-quarter drop in car sales in Q1 2020 compared to the first quarter in 2019, while Aston Martin has also reported on significant losses.
Rába Járműipari Holding Nyrt. has reported on a 19.5 percent drop in its consolidated turnover in the first three months of the year to HUF 11.8 billion, and registered a HUF 119.6 million loss (down 112.9 percent) compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
Audi has found an innovative way to unveil the new-generation A3 model by performing the presentation on a completely virtual platform.
Minister of state László György said at an online conference held by the Association of Hungarian Vehicle Component Manufacturers (MAJOSZ) that although no automotive-specific crisis-management measures are expected by the government, the Economy Protection Action Plan includes several schemes aiming to support automotive players of the industry.
The first round of applications for funds regrouped to the Economy Protection Action Plan will open on May 29th.
The Covid-19 pandemic is taking its toll on the Hungarian economy. Although according to non-adjusted data, Hungary’s GDP has increased by 2.2 percent, this will still result in the country's worst economic performance yet since 2016.
