Hungarian automotive industry: week 4
Last week saw a new model launch at Mercedes Kecskemét, changes in the management of top Hungarian suppliers and OEMs expressing their concerns regarding the Electronic Trade and Transport Control System (EKÁER). The forint declined against the euro, while Debrecen University showcased a new motor for its electric waste collector. The government signed a partnership agreement with a French automotive supplier and Hungary could welcome another South Korean company. Contrary to recent trends, fuel prices increased last week.
Manufacturers
The first Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake rolled off the production line at Mercedes-Benz Kecskemét, the Hungarian subsidiary of the German premium car maker. The model is manufactured exclusively in Hungary.
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| Mercedes-Benz Kecskemét launches production of new CLA Shooting Brake |
The Electronic Trade and Transport System (EKÁER) has been causing a big stir in Hungary's industry. This time, the CEO of Audi Hungaria shared his professional opinion regarding the proposed system. Thomas Faustmann told autopro.hu: the system is not supporting but in fact hindering competitiveness in the country.
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| EKÁER: Audi's Faustmann joins the long line of critiques. |
Opel, the fourth OEM in Hungary, also reported on good news last week: the manufacturer closed an exceptional year in Hungary in 2014. Last year, the plant launched the production of its third – small-sized petrol – engine family, while 2015 is set to bring new engine variants, growing production volumes and an increase in the Szentgotthárd-based engine plant's workforce.
Suppliers
Bosch was chosen as the Supplier of the Month in December 2014. The acknowledgement was handed over in January by Minister of National Economy Mihály Varga.
Alcoa Hungary appointed a new CEO last week. István Katus also became regional director at the company's Hungarian subsidiary.
Last week, Knorr-Bremse announced that István Lepsényi will be replaced by Attila Bíró as CEO at the company's Hungarian subsidiary.
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| Attila Bíró to replace István Lepsényi as CEO at Knorr-Bremse Hungary |
Last week we reported on domestic tyre sales reaching pre-crisis levels. In 2014, tyre sales increased by 11.5 percent from the previous year.
France-based Le Bélier announced last week to carry out a HUF 8 billion investment in Ajka. The company made the announcement after signing a strategic partnership agreement with the Hungarian government.
It was reported last week that South Korean electronics manufacturer Daejung is considering building a 4,700-square-metre plant near Páty, Hungary.
Service providers
Last week it was announced that by the end of 2020, a freeway will lead to Szolnok from Budapest via the M5, 405 and M4.
The National Bank of Hungary announced last week that it had established an innovation knowledge hub within the scopes of its Pallas Athéné programme.
After months of steady decline, fuel prices showed an increase last week. The slight increase in oil prices is probably connected to the death of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, analysts say.
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| Le Bélier to invest HUF 8 bln in Ajka, Hungary |
The Electronic Trade and Transport Control System (EKÁER) is still dominating the news in the auto industry. In addition to a number of OEMs and suppliers, the German-Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DUIHK) also expressed its concerns regarding the system in its current form.
It seems, though, that it's not al in vain, as decision makers are reconsidering some aspects of the transport control system. The government, admitting their mistakes, have made modifications to the system and postponed its launch by an entire month.
Last week, a solar panel park was inaugurated in Berettyóújfalu. The facility is capable of producing 680MW/h electricity every year, which can satisfy the electricity needs of 240 households.
Education
The robot car competition of the Department of Automation and Applied Informatics of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics was won by Team ZserNyák.
The town of Szombathely is working hard to introduce a dual mechanical engineering training course.
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| Waste collection vehicle developed by the University of Debrecen gets new electric motor |
The University of Debrecen announced that its electric waste collection vehicle, developed with the involvement of several students from the university, will receive a new electric motor. The vehicle is currently taking a break from test operation to be fitted with a new, more powerful electric motor.
The University of Kaposvár has announced to launch engineer training: the two-year preparatory phase involved the College of Dunaújváros, the Somogy County Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SKIK) and a number of companies.
