Hungarian automotive industry: week 42 2021
Fotó: Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Kft.
Mercedes-Benz Kecskemét launches serial production of its first all-electric model, Airbus sets production launch target at Gyula helicopter plant, Hungarian Hydrogen Association established. Let’s recap what last week brought in Hungary’s automotive sector. Clicking on the highlighted items will open the full stories.
The first unit of the EQB SUV, the first all-electric Mercedes-Benz model to be mass manufactured in Hungary, rolled off the production line in Kecskemét last week. The new model is manufactured on previously existing production lines; pre-production tests were concluded in less than a year.
Airbus Helicopters Hungary Kft. is planning to launch production at its Gyula plant in July 2022. Hiring is already underway, the company has already contracted 25 engineers.
Škoda Auto halted production at three of its Czech plants for two weeks, while VW’s central plant in Wolfsburg has been experiencing its weakest year in terms of production volumes since 1958.
Despite the challenges due to the shortage of semiconductors, in the third quarter the German manufacturing giant sold nearly twice as many chip-reliant electric cars as in the same period last year.
Opel avoids dieselgate repercussions with hefty fine. The company will pay a €64.8 million fine in Germany to escape charges of manipulating the underreporting of harmful emissions produced by its diesel engines.
OEMs are not the only ones suffering from the chip shortage. Suppliers are affected just the same due to sudden and unpredictable order cancellations. France-based Novares seeking damages from car makers at a value of €10 million.
The decline of car production volumes is also boosting used car prices. The prices of used cars is on the rise, certain models are selling for up to 15 percent higher than in January this year, according to data published by Das WeltAuto.
The Hungarian Hydrogen Association has been formed. The formation of the association is in line with the country’s 2050 decarbonization targets and economic recovery.
