Mercedes-Benz is to implement projects totalling HUF 600bn (EUR 1.9bn) in the near future in Hungary, Minister for National Economy Mihály Varga said, following a meeting with Daimler Bus CEO Hartmut Schick and Mercedes-Benz Hungary CEO Jörg Schmidt. In addition, the Minister pointed out, the company is assuming a leading role in bolstering the domestic bus manufacturing sector and the promotion of electric cars in Hungary.

Mercedes has proven its long-term commitment also through launching a low-rent housing programme, having joined Hungary’s dual training system and research development programmes, the Minister said. The Hungarian Government is to begin large-scale energy supply and road development projects in the Kecskemét region in order to provide flawless energy supply and further improve the transport route between the plant and motorway M5, Mihály Varga stressed. Daimler and Hungary are also forging closer partnership regarding education and research, as the Cabinet has doubled allocations for R&D for the period 2014-2020. The Minister called the recently announced cooperation between ITK Holding Plc and EvoBus Hungária Ltd exemplary; as a result of this, bodyworks for buses and coaches for local and regional transport, developed by Hungary, will be built onto Mercedes chassis in Debrecen.