Hungarian automotive industry: week 28

Manufacturers

The Audi Q2 has entered serial production, while Audi’s successful sales result was mainly thanks to the new TT, manufactured in Győr, Hungary, according to a new report on H1 2016 brand sales.

Suppliers

Bosch Hungary completed a €22.6 million technology development project, focusing on new technologies in connection with passenger safety and energy efficiency.

The Videoton group is expecting a 5–10 percent revenue growth in 2016.

Pécs-based Matro Kft. will soon start the construction of a 3,300 sqm production hall. In the next four years, the machine builder will increase its current headcount of 270 by 50–80 people.

Service providers

More and more people are asking the question: why does no one buy Hungarian-made buses? We asked secretary of state István Lepsényi about the practical steps the government is taking to improve the situation of Hungarian bus manufacturers.

In related news, the Hungarian government has established the National Bus Procurement Committee. The committee will promote the development of the Hungarian bus industry and assist the preparation of bus procurements in line with industrial policy objectives

Gimex Hidraulika Kft. has been awarded by the committee of Superbrands for the second year in a row.

According to Das Weltauto, the import volume of used cars has not reached its peak in Hungary, and the country could easily become a scrapyard of used vehicles.

Uber has announced to suspend their activities in Budapest and pull out of Hungary after the government has passed a new regulation that makes their operation nearly impossible.

Education

Autopro is set to organize TechTogether Automotive Hungary again in 2016, where the best-performing teams are awaited by valuable special prizes and a cash prizes.

Industry 4.0 still poses a lot of questions, one thing is certain however: it requires professionals with different skill sets than what the current educational system is capable of offering.

Year after year, university student teams face the problem of having to fill up their membership with newcomers after graduation.

For a team, it’s the same as if a company executive were faced with the problem of losing his most experienced employees every year.

The teams from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics address this issue by involving new members right from the beginning, thus creating a continual knowledge transfer within the group.

Old team members also pay frequent visits even after graduation to provide help and give advice to newcomers.

A dual training centre will be established in Zalaegerszeg, providing students who have not yet found a position at other companies for the duration of their studies with internship positions.

Starting in September 2016, ninth-grade students will now have the opportunity to receive training in sought-after professions such as industrial cutting or welding.