Hungarian automotive industry: week 26
It was announced last week that a new model is coming to the Kecskemét-based Mercedes-plant and Hungarian-made power sources were selected as the engines of the year. An aluminium manufacturer has plans for a HUF 10 billion investment in Hungary, while the merger of Hungarian transport companies could result in 1,000 new vehicles.
Let's see what happened in week 26 this year.
Car manufacturers
It was already hinted in our interview with Thomas Geier, the new director of the Kecskemét Mercedes-Benz, and now it's official: the new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake will be manufactured exclusively at the German car maker's Hungarian plant. This is the third model to be made in Kecskemét and the fifth compact car manufactured by the brand.
Meanwhile, German Manager Magazin reported that Daimler's management will make a decision in two weeks whether the CLA, currently manufactured exclusively at the Kecskemét plant, will also be made in Mexico.
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| The new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake will be made exclusively at the Kecskemét plant |
The Audi Hungaria Engine Startup Center celebrated a topping-out ceremony last week. With the expansion of the engine test centre, the Engine Startup Center's floor area will be expanded by 1,600 square metres. The new complex will house 12 roller brake testers.
The new Audi A3 e-tron, the first premium plug-in hybrid compact, was unveiled in the presence of Audi AG board member Rupert Stadler.
Ford's 3-cylinder engine was again chosen as the engine of the year, although power sources made at the Győr Audi plant and the Szentgotthárd Opel plant were also awarded.
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| Audi A3 e-tron - the first premium plug-in hybrid compact |
Audi announced to introduce both Google's Android Auto and Apple's Car Play systems in their cars so the German premium car maker's customers can choose between the two rivals for themselves.
Due to Japanese supplier Takata's fault, Honda Nissan and Mazda are recalling another 3 million cars. The problem is not unheard of: the faulty parts are airbags manufactured in the U.S.
MÁV Vasjármű Kft. is dancing on thin ice: HUF 1 biliion in debts, sued over embezzlement, although the staff and management remain positive.
Suppliers
Material handler systems manufacturer GSI's new plant in Biatorbágy was handed over last week. The HUF 670 million investment will create 125 new jobs.
Poland-based aluminium manufacturer Alumetal is planning to build a plant in Hungary with a HUF 10 billion investment, CEO Szymon Adamczyk announced last week.
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| We visited the Bosch Group's plant in Hatvan |
We visited the Bosch Group's car electronics manufacturing unit in Hatvan. In an overview we summarized the most important facts about the production plant.
Hungarian companies submitted 166 project proposals within the Horizon 2020 programme, a framework programme with 35 participating countries for the 2014-2020 budget period, said Endre Spaller, president of the Hungarian National Innovation Office.
The merger of Hungarian transport companies could result in 1,000 new buses as the reform of community transportation continues, said Miklós Seszták, Minister of National Development.
The energetics soap opera starring Alstom is nearing its finale: on Sunday an agreement was concluded between the French government and industrial and telecommunications company Bouygues, according to which the French state will buy a 20 percent share in Alstom, announced French Economics Minister Arnaud Montebourg.
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| Automotive Hungary to be held in 2014 |
Automotive Hungary, the country's largest automotive fair will be held on an even larger area this year. Preparations for the second leg of the successful automotive event, considered as the flagship of Hungary's economy, are currently under way.
We announced last week that as a support event for Automotive Hungary our site will hold a conference and competition for university students participating in automotive student competitions. The competition, called Techtogether, will be open for everyone interested in the car industry.
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| Techtogether will gather the best engineering students in Hungary |
The Hungarian Investment Trade Agency claims that its certified supplier database is an "innovation partner search" database. We interviewed advisor Csaba Robotka, who has been working on tasks in connection with the database since the idea was first drafted, about the advantages of registering in the database.
The new CNG station for BKV buses built by Főgáz Zrt. was handed over at the company's site in Budapest. More and more CNG vehicles are being bought by the company.
In the last decades, several car manufacturers have formed close or loose partnerships in order to survive. Is this the time for suppliers to do the same?
Last week we reported that Q1 results show a mixed picture about Southern Asia's car manufacturing industry. In certain countries output decreased significantly, while others saw a a slight growth. The presence of European manufacturers is currently negligible.
Education
According to László Palkovics, Secretary of State for Higher Education, it is possible that we'll soon see the return of 5-year university courses in the field of engineering. It was announced that the Round Table of Higher Education could meet during the summer.
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| László Palkovics, Secretary of State for Higher Education |
Engineer training received a green light in Szombathely after the two thirds of the technical committee accepted the proposed course material.
Economy
According to a financial analysis, large companies are slightly optimistic regarding the next year, and they are more positive regarding their own possibilities than those of the macroeconomic environment.
The forint weakened last week, closing at 310 against the euro from 305 on Monday. Hungary's currency reached its lowest point in the last two months, moving further away from the level of 300 against the euro.
