The foundation stone has been laid for the BMW Group’s new plant in Debrecen, Hungary. The €1 billion investment is expected to allow the yearly production of 150,000 cars of the fully electric Neue Klasse.
“Plant Debrecen will set new standards in highly innovative vehicle manufacturing,” said BMW AG Board Member for Production Milan Nedeljković at the foundation stone-laying ceremony. “This plant is state-of-the-art in terms of flexibility, sustainability, and digitalization in the entire automotive industry.”
Nedeljković added that the new plant will play a key role in the transformation to electric mobility for both the BMW Group and its production network.
Presenting the company’s plans, the BMW board member also underscored that social responsibility is highly valued in the company and that the current BMW plant will play a key role in the transition to electric cars. It will be the first completely carbon-free car factory in the world.
Hans-Peter Kemser, head of BMW’s Debrecen plant, said at the event that the infrastructure is now in place so that the actual construction can begin. The Debrecen plant is an important milestone in the life of the group, as it will be the first plant to exclusively produce a new class of cars, i.e. electric cars. Building a factory is a real team effort, and BMW’s expertise and the culture of the region will contribute to its success.
“Through the hard work of recent years, we have succeeded in creating the most competitive investment environment in Europe in Hungary, based on political stability, an excellent Hungarian workforce, and the lowest taxes on labor in Europe,” said Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó in his speech.
Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony of the BMW Group’s Debrecen plant in Debrecen, Hungary, on 1 June 2022. Photo: Zsolt Czeglédi/MTI
“The success of Hungary’s economic policy is clearly shown by BMW’s investment of around one billion euros, which will create Hungary’s leading position in the new electric age of the automotive industry, and help the economy grow in the long run,” he added.
“As BMW ‘s new plant in Debrecen reinterprets car manufacturing, we will redefine Debrecen and the eastern region of Hungary with the arrival of BMW. Following the 2018 announcement, the city is characterized by unprecedented dynamism and development. It became tangible for everyone in Debrecen how important it was for the company’s leaders to choose Debrecen,” said Dr László Papp, the Mayor of Debrecen, at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“The plant under construction here marks the beginning of a new era, both for BMW’s global network and for the entire automotive industry. New production processes, new technology, and a revolutionary new vehicle. All this increases the value of the Debrecen plant, and with it, Debrecen,” the mayor emphasized.
Featured photo by Zsolt Czeglédi/MTI
