Mercedes breaks ground for second plant in Hungary

German carmaker Mercedes-Benz laid the cornerstone of a 1 billion euro plant at its base in Kecskemét, in central Hungary, on Tuesday.

The new plant, Mercedes’ second in Hungary, will create 2,500 jobs. It is being built on an area of 382,000sqm and will have a press shop, a body-in-white shop, a paint shop and an assembly.

Production at the plant is expected to start in 2020.

It will be a “Full-Flex Plant”, one in which “several vehicle architectures from compact models to rear-wheel drive sedans and various drive forms, including electric vehicles, can be flexibly produced on one line,” said Markus Schafer, Member of the Divisional Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Manufacturing and Supply Chain.

Photo: MTI

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said prior to the ceremony that the new plant will make use of cutting-edge technology.

He noted that there are about 6,000 German businesses in Hungary employing some 300,000 people.

The ceremony was also attended by Mayor of Kecskemét Claudia Pataki Szemerey, and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Christian Wolff.

Featured image: MTI

Source: MTI