Extended production shutdowns since last Christmas were to create the right conditions for this conversion.Continue reading
Mercedes-Benz’s Kecskemét (Central Hungary) plant has changed from three to two shifts daily operation starting in July due to transitioning to electric vehicle production, reports Világgazdaság.
This move is intended to adapt production lines to new platforms and future models. While the company’s 4,500 permanent staff are not expected to be directly impacted, around 100 temporary workers were recently laid off due to reduced work. No official request has been received from the employer to the Trade Union, which is only aware of the redundancies affecting temporary workers at the Mercedes-Benz factory.
Some of the workforce will undergo training until production is fully restored. The Trade Union of Engineers and Technicians confirmed that permanent employees are not affected and noted that the company is also investing in staff training, including sending workers to Germany.
The situation reflects broader challenges in the automotive industry, where global shifts to electric vehicles are causing disruptions.
The South Korean-owned SK’s plant also faced significant layoffs due to decreased battery demand but is now recruiting 200 new Hungarian workers. The automotive sector is struggling worldwide, with delays in electric vehicle production and declining car sales exacerbated by the withdrawal of state subsidies in Germany. ZF, a major automotive supplier, is cutting 14,000 jobs in Germany, though Hungarian facilities are not directly impacted.
Via Világgazdaság; Featured Image: Facebook / Mercedes-Benz Gyár Kecskemét