Economic Development Minister Márton Nagy received the leaders of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary in his office on Monday. Christian Wolff, the company’s CEO, financial director Karsten Twele, and communications and external relations manager Sándor Dávid were the ones present at the meeting, according to the Ministry of Economic Development (GFM).
The parties discussed economic processes and reviewed the state and competitiveness of the automotive industry. The ministry emphasised that automotive manufacturing, along with battery manufacturing, is one of the pillars of Hungary’s economic performance, and is considered a strategic sector in the new industrial strategy currently under development. Mercedes is one of the world’s most successful automotive companies, with a presence on five continents. Last year, the Mercedes-Benz Group turned over €150 billion and employed nearly 170,000 people.
Mercedes has been present in Hungary for nearly 15 years, producing around 135,000 vehicles annually, with annual revenue exceeding €3 billion euros and a workforce of nearly 5,000 employees.
Minister Nagy highlighted the need to prevent recession in the face of economic conditions caused by the war and sanctions. Support must be provided in order to protect Hungary’s automotive industry and preserve jobs, he stressed. Investment and the inflow of operating capital must be increased. The parties also agreed that economic cooperation must be strengthened, while innovation and development must be encouraged as well, according to the GFM statement.
The Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Kft. plant in Kecskemét is one of the most modern and technologically advanced facilities in the region. It plays a vital role in the company’s global supply chain, producing a range of models including the A-Class, B-Class, CLA, and CLA Shooting Brake.
Mercedes-Benz is committed to developing and maintaining its presence in Hungary and has stated that it will continue to invest in the Kecskemét plant to ensure its competitiveness in the global market. The company has also emphasised its commitment to sustainability and has implemented a number of measures at the plant to reduce its environmental impact.
