Hungarian economy minister meets heads of Daimler Buses, Mercedes-Benz Hungaria

Budapest, September 8 (MTI) – Economy Minister Mihály Varga reviewed planned investments in Hungary with the heads of Daimler Buses and Mercedes-Benz Hungaria on Thursday, the economy ministry said in a statement.

Germany’s Daimler and its subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Hungaria play a significant role in the strengthening of Hungarian bus production as well as in boosting the use of electric vehicles, Varga said.

The minister noted that the Hungarian unit of EvoBus, Daimler’s busmaking business, had recently agreed to deliver frames to Hungarian-owned ITK Holding for a low-floor bus it has developed.

Daimler announced in summer that it will build a 313 billion forint (EUR 1bn) car plant for Mercedes next to its existing one in Kecskemét, central Hungary. The factory is expected to create 2,500 jobs. A 185 billion forint expansion will allow the production of new generation compact cars, while an 80 billion forint new chassis plant will also be built as well as a 4 billion forint logistics base.

Varga said Mercedes has long-term plans in Hungary, seen from its launch of a housing programme and participation in Hungary’s dual vocational training system and R+D developments.

The Hungarian government is starting energy and road upgrades in Kecskemét and plans to improve the transport link between the plant and the M5 motorway.

Daimler wants to strengthen cooperation with Hungary on education and R+D and the Hungarian government has doubled funding for the latter for the 2014-2020 financial period, which will help meet this aim, the statement said.

Source: MTI