Hungarian automotive industry: week 6 2018 edition
Five suppliers announce new investments, Mercedes-Benz unveils new model from Kecskemét, Zalaegerszeg test track to host student competition. Let´s recap what the sixth week this year brought in Hungary´s automotive industry.
Manufacturers
On February 2nd, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the fourth-generation A-Class, the first of the brand’s models to receive self-driving features and new petrol and diesel engines. Order books open in March, while the first cars will be delivered to customers later in the spring.
The German car maker will start producing the new model in five locations on three different continents in 2018.
Suppliers
Suppliers have spent HUF 55 billion in Hungary in just three months – way over the national average.
Jászberény-based Ferro-Press Kft. opened a a new warehouse last week. The company has invested HUF 2 billion and announced plans to add more robots to the production line.
Germany-based MooWa Assembling Kft., a company engaged in the assembly of computer cables and connectors, has inaugurated its new, 3,200sqm production hall at Tata Business Park.
Mór-based VW supplier has invested in soldering and tube bending equipment. FHL Björn Hungary Kft., a Mór-based manufacturer of metal tubes for automotive applications, has carried out a nearly HUF 1 billion investment and reported on increasing revenues.
Nagymányok-based PeMaC Kábeltechnika Kft. will invest HUF 300 million in new injection moulding equipment.
Turkey-based Metyx has announced a major investment at its Kaposvár unit: the manufacturer of glass and carbon fibre base materials and composite products will double its headcount at the capital of Somogy County.
Interviews
The automotive plastic parts manufactured in Kőszárhegy, Fejér County, are fitted in nearly all cars produced around the world, mostly in the form of connectors and sound system components. Simon Műanyagfeldolgozó was established as a one-man business in 1985. The founder and owner has transferred ownership to his two children at the end of January. Last week, we interviewed plant director Péter Simon about the generational shift.
We also interviewed Tamás Perecz, CEO of the Hungarian subsidiary of Beckhoff Automation, about last year’s results and the company’s plans for 2018. According to Perecz, production could be further boosted by cloud-based applications.
Barna Hanula has spent more than 20 years in vehicle development, most of it in Germany. He had good insight into what makes an engineer successful on an international level. Since his return in 2011, he has been teaching at Széchenyi István University, and since 2015, he has been dean at the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Vehicle Engineering. Hanula says Hungarians make good engineers, but they are not as capable of representing their interests as their German colleagues.
In 2018, the Hungarian-held Eastern European leg of the competition of single-seater formula cars will be interesting for multiple reasons. For the first time in its history, the event’s venue is the new test track in Zalaegerszeg. We interviewed Tamás Csütörtöki, head organiser of FS East.
Wages
According to Béla Balogh, the president of Vasas Trade Union, Hungarian employers have a lot to be concerned about as a result of recent strikes in Germany. With a series of strikes, workers at IG Metall have managed to achieve the introduction of the 28-hour working week. In addition, workers received a wage increase and further benefits.
The minimum wage of people in full employment increased according to a new government regulation taking effect on 1 January 2018.
(Photo credit: FHL Björn)
