Hungary is strengthening its role in the automotive industry and, with the new Mercedes-Benz research and development center, is gaining greater international attention. The company is thus sending a clear signal in support of electromobility, dynamic investment, and the expansion of its local production facilities. This initiative serves as a catalyst for the entire automotive sector, as the project combines development, technological innovation, and industrial strength in a compact area. (ungarnheute: 13.11.25)
Research and Development Center as a Strategic Lever
The government is supporting the project with several billion forints, and the capital investment will also create additional space for innovation. The new center will not only strengthen electromobility but also the regional automotive industry, as prototype testing will begin early and valuable expertise will remain within the country. At the same time, the production site will gain in importance because the connection between the manufacturing center and research will be strengthened.
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó underscored the significance of the decision, stating, “This is a tremendous recognition of the expertise of Hungarian engineers.” He also emphasized that Hungarian specialists are involved in key tests and that “Mercedes will implement everything developed here for the new electric vehicles.” These words reflect the ambition to establish Hungary as a long-term leader in e-mobility.
Dynamics in the Automotive Industry
German-Hungarian cooperation is gaining further momentum, as numerous German companies are already driving growth through substantial capital projects. This is creating new opportunities for local businesses, while the automotive industry in Bács-Kiskun County has experienced significant growth. The region is also benefiting from the production site’s expansion of capacity, thus creating more scope for electromobility.
At the same time, global competition for investments in alternative drive systems is intensifying. “The countries that can attract these new investments in the automotive industry will be the pioneers of this new era,” the Minister emphasized. Hungary is approaching this goal, as the country will soon reach the milestone of one million cars produced annually. The manufacturing center in Kecskemét plays a central role in this.
Innovation as a Model for the Future
The government is realigning its economic strategy, with research and innovation set to play a dominant role in the future. The alliance with Mercedes serves as a key component of this policy. The research and development center promotes modernization and simultaneously lays the foundation for new technologies that will later be incorporated into electric production vehicles.
Mercedes manager Jörg Burzer described the upcoming product offensive with “more than 40 new and revised models.” At the same time, the company is preparing new electric models at several plants, thus strengthening the expansion of electromobility. Kecskemét will assume additional responsibility, as two new model series will be launched there in the coming years.
Growth at the Kecskemét Production Site
Jens Bühler pointed out that more than two million vehicles have already been produced in Kecskemét. Since 2022, over one billion euros have been invested in digital modernization, sustainability, and additional production lines at the manufacturing center. In the future, production of more than 300,000 units per year is expected to be possible. Bühler added: “We have developed many good ideas for production in Kecskemét and exported them to the Mercedes-Benz production network. We intend to further develop these ideas at the R&D center.”
The ongoing expansion of the site includes new body and assembly halls as well as modern battery production lines. This project not only strengthens the automotive industry but also Hungary’s position in electromobility and its role as a reliable production location.