Hungarian automotive industry: week 28 2018 edition
No answers but even more questions surrounding the changes in fringe benefits. Let’s recap what week 28 brought in Hungary’s automotive sector.
It was announced in early-June that Daimler will begin the expansion of its Kecskemét plant with a HUF 1 billion investment. We interviewed CEO Christian Wolff about the challenges of hiring an additional 2,500 staffers.
Bosch is building a new research and development centre in Budapest in two stages, on a base area of 90,000 square metres. The new R&D centre will be dedicated to autonomous driving and electric mobility. The new facility will employ 1,800 people.
Taking effect in July, László Tisza-Kiss has been appointed as CEO at AGC Glass Hungary Kft., replacing former plant director Zoltán Papp. The new CEO told us that growing demands have necessitated a substantial investment: the company will install advanced production equipment after receiving new orders from Czech car manufacturing plants.
László Kordás, chairman of the Hungarian Trade Union Federation (MSZASZSZ), was about to talk to a legislative committee about cafeteria-related issues, but was never given the opportunity to speak. The chairman says it would be crucial to clarify changes because uncertainty can easily lead to strikes.
In white-collar automotive positions, the so-called cafeteria benefits vary depending on the companies, with annual payouts ranging between HUF 180,000 and 600,000, Virág Morvai, head of Hays Hungary’s engineering division, told us.
Both national bus company Volánbusz Zrt. and Budapest transport company BKV have said they will withdraw from their contracts with Ikarus Egyedi due to failed deliveries. The parties signed agreements on a total delivery of 210 buses. Ikarus Egyedi Kft. filed for bankruptcy protection last week.
In turn, Székesfehérvár-based Ikarus Járműtechnika Kft. has announced to build 100 purpose-built buses for the Hungarian Defence Forces.
Constructions began for the expansion of road 54 between the M5 motorway and road 5: the expansion will improve the accessibility of Kecskemét and companies located at the town’s business park, including Mercedes-Benz and its suppliers.
Hungary’s first car sharing service, GreenGo, has a new competitor in Mol. Last week we interviewed GreenGo CEO Bálint Michaletzky.
By 2020, the Hungarian government has plans to allocate 1.8 percent of the national GDP to research and development, with the aim to make it worthwhile for smaller companies to employ development engineers.
Waberer’s has announced to purchase 100 new Renault Trucks haul tractors.
Győr-based SZEnergy university team had to face a number of challenges at this year’s Shell Eco-marathon. In the last minutes before the start of the race, the vehicle developed a drivetrain issue, team leader Zoltán Pusztai told us last week.
The Zalaegerszeg test track will host this year’s Formula Student East event between July 18th and 22nd. The event’s 60-strong entry list will feature 30 internal combustion vehicles, 20 EVs and 10 autonomous vehicles, including one built by the team from Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
