Hungarian automotive industry: week 39 2017 edition
Former board of directors member for engine production to head Audi Hungaria, Kravtex announces further developments, Aventics celebrates 50th anniversary. Let’s recap what the 39th week this year brought in Hungary’s automotive sector.
Manufacturers
With effect as of October 1st, Achim Heinfling replaced Peter Kössler as chairman of the Audi Hungaria board of management, who had been appointed as AUDI AG board of management member responsible for production and logistics.
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| Achim Heinfling |
Kravtex to develop its plant after delivery of 100 new Hungarian-made buses. The company has completed the delivery of 100 new buses to regional transport centres before the original deadline. The 100 brand-new Hungarian-built Credo buses will begin operation in transport centres headquartered in Miskolc and Szolnok and Volánbusz Zrt.
As a result, the number of Credo buses put into operation since the launch of the National Bus Manufacturing Action Plan will now reach 316. However, there’s no time to sit back: the group has announced to carry out an investment project valued at hundreds of millions of forints in the upcoming period.
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Suppliers
Hungarian economic daily Világgazdaság reported last week that Bosch might be looking to sell its passenger car steering column division.
The decision could come in spite of an upwards trend in demand for these components, as the Bosch group is claiming the appearance of new suppliers have pushed down prices significantly. The company says this has further increased pressure on design and manufacture.
Aventics Hungary Kft. celebrates 50th anniversary. The manufacture of pneumatic components in Eger began fifty years ago.
Bicske-based investment foundry Magyarmet Finomöntöde boasts capabilities that are uncommon even in Europe. Last week, we visited the facility and gained an insight into the stages of the production of automotive components.
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Service providers
S&T Hungary has bought Kapsch BusinessCom Hungary. Both companies will now continue operation under the S&T name.
The S&T Group has also acquired Kapsch BusinessCom operations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In the future, the S&T brand will be present in Hungary with two companies: the existing and widely known S&T Consulting Hungary Kft. and S&T Services Kft., the successor of Kapsch BusinessCom Hungary.
In the first half this year, Hungarian companies bought new agricultural machinery at a value of HUF 77 billion, a 40 percent rise year-on-year, the Hungarian Leasing Association reported last week quoting data from the Research Institute of Agricultural Economics, adding that it could also bring further growth in the field of agricultural leases.
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Trend
Working on the implementation of a number of projects related to vehicle communications, the technology director of Hungarian-established Commsignia shares his time between Florida, Detroit and the Silicon Valley. László Virág is engaged in the search for new markets, talks with electronic chip and module manufacturers and the expansion of his company’s global presence simultaneously.
Following a successful debut in seven European cities, the cars launched on a test run on the streets of Florida are now using their vehicle communications software as well. We interviewed Mr. Virág between two international conference calls.
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| László Virág |
Analyses
We cannot exactly say that Hungarian intellectuals in the Hungarian automotive sector with language skills are feeling content in their current positions, be it in production or R&D – this is the conclusion of HR expert Hays Hungary’s most recent survey, conducted with 700 local participants.
Production line
Balassagyarmat-based Delta-Tech Mérnöki Iroda Kft. inaugurated its latest R&D centre at Győr Business Park last week.
The facility has been built with a HUF 713 million investment, supported with a HUF 253 million subsidy from the government’s Economy Development and Innovation Operational Programme.
Education
Starting in September 2018., the University of Pécs (PTE) will launch dual training programmes and specialist courses in collaboration with aircraft manufacturer Magnus Aircraft Zrt., the institution announced last week after signing a cooperation agreement with the company.
