Hungarian automotive industry: week 28
Faustmann leaves Audi Hungaria, NNG, NI and Nemak expand local presence. Let´s recap what happened last week in Hungary´s automotive industry.
Manufacturers
It was announced last week that current CEO of German premium car maker Audi's Hungary-based plant, Thomas Faustmann will leave Audi Hungaria. Effective on October 1, his position will be taken over by current Ingolstadt plant director Peter Kössler, who will be replaced by the CEO at Audi's Neckarsulm location.
 |
| Thomas Faustmann is leaving Audi Hungaria. |
The latter's position will be taken over by Faustmann, thus completing the rotation. The step marks the end of an important and highly successful era at Audi Hungaria.
Suppliers
Last week, NNG inaugurated their new development centre in Szeged. Currently, the facility has 30 employees but the company is planning to increase the location's headcount to 50 in a few months and 200 in the long term.
 |
| Navigation systems developer NNG opens development centre in Szeged |
The University of Szeged (SZTE) and NI Hungary Kft., the Hungarian subsidiary of global market-leading developer of automated systems National Instruments Corporation, have signed a strategic partnership agreement on education and research cooperation.
Service providers
The local government of Komárom has carried out a HUF 600 million infrastructure development project at Komárom Business Park. The expansion will allow more companies to settle at the strategically cruical industrial park.
György Wáberer, president of the Association of Hungarian Road Hauliers, said in an interview last week that Hungary suffers from a significant shortage in lorry drivers. He said the number of new employees in need would supply an entire vehicle plant.
Economy
According to analysts, Hungary's foreign trade is performing well, and in the long run growth dynamics will be depending on export capacities. The automotive sector continues to be the main driver of the industry, analysts say.
According to a telephone survey with the representatives of domestic SMEs released recently, two-third of small companies are expecting growth for the next 1–3 years.
 |
| HUF vs. EUR week 28. Source: portfolio.hu |
Last week, the forint showed a slow weakening tendency, while on Friday it saw a surge probably as a result of the Greek crisis.
