[farishat]

Awesome, the most stable far right country on the planet.

[drivethemachine]

Congrats BMW - smart move.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Regarding the topic of the thread, this new factory won't be any less capable of producing traditional ICE vehicles than any other BMW factory. The point of the press release was really that it will help lower BMW's operational costs in the region.

Onward to Eastern Europe!

Serious question - does Hungary have much in terms of a car manufacturing footprint?

The “profit at all costs” mentality will catch up with them at some point.

[drivethemachine]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Serious question - does Hungary have much in terms of a car manufacturing footprint?

Yes.

Suzuki has had a giant plant since the 90's that's been manufacturing certain models for most of Europe and the world.

Most Audi engines are made in the country. (not sure what percentage but an Audi assembled in Germany will most likely have an TFSI engine built in Hungary)

They also have part manufacturers and suppliers. Honda uses a lot of Hungary built parts.
Bosch also has R&D and production facilities (radar tech).

Mercedes-Benz already builds the B-class and CLA models in Hungary.

I also believe that in recent years the country has really figured out a solid blueprint for setting up manufacturing presence for just about any heavy industry. Not just assembly workers but actual engineering.

Things are looking good.

[sevenn]

Originally Posted by drivethemachine

Yes.

Suzuki has had a giant plant since the 90's that's been manufacturing certain models for most of Europe and the world.

Most Audi engines are made in the country. (not sure what percentage but an Audi assembled in Germany will most likely have an TFSI engine built in Hungary)

They also have part manufacturers and suppliers. Honda uses a lot of Hungary built parts.
Bosch also has R&D and production facilities (radar tech).

Mercedes-Benz already builds the B-class and CLA models in Hungary.

I also believe that in recent years the country has really figured out a solid blueprint for setting up manufacturing presence for just about any heavy industry. Not just assembly workers but actual engineering.

Things are looking good.

Last year, 472,000 cars were manufactured at Mercedes (Kecskemét), Audi (Győr), Suzuki (Esztergom) and Opel (Szentgotthárd) factory. This is 2.8 percent of the 19 million cars manufactured in the EU.

Soon 40% of total Hungarian exports will be generated by automotive production.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by farishat

Awesome, the most stable far right country on the planet.

Since when is a welfare state with a representative multi-party parliament, a (relatively) independent judiciary, a constitution, and EU membership since 2004 far-right?

Newsflash: The Soviet era ended 25 years ago.

#PoliticalContinuum101

[Costello1991]

Originally Posted by drew_larson

I dont mind the hybrids but im not fully sold on the full electrics. Unless they start ramping up the hp and torque figures to a competitive level

Tesla's are the fastest cars on the street. Where have you been ?

[Delta0311]

Very nice, congrats to the Hungarians.

[drew_larson]

Originally Posted by Costello1991

Tesla's are the fastest cars on the street. Where have you been ?

Not really. M5 has same 0-60 as a tesla and multiple other cars have equal or greater 0-60, quicker lap times, or higher top end speed but if bmw wants to go full electric they better become as competitive as a tesla within hp and torque

[drew_larson]

Originally Posted by Railgun

So a Tesla isn't quick enough for you?

I dont need nor want a tesla.

[drew_larson]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Electric motors make full torque from zero RPM, and they are also very compact. Some of the most powerful vehicles on the market are electric.

If what you mean to say is that you want an EV to cost the same as an ICE powered vehicle with similar performance, that will happen sometime next decade. Although it is already beginning to happen with some EV models today.

Regarding the topic of the thread, this new factory won't be any less capable of producing traditional ICE vehicles than any other BMW factory. The point of the press release was really that it will help lower BMW's operational costs in the region.

Exactly, someone who understands

[evanevery]

Nice move for Hungary!

...nice to have alternate places to build the X-Series when they shut down the Spartanburg plant because of reduced U.S. Car Exports due to trade retaliation!

No one exports more cars from the U.S. than BMW. Ironic, isn't it? We tax the German cars coming in and China Taxes them on the way out...

Make America Stupid Again!

[drivethemachine]

Look what I just found.
The steering rack in my G30 was made in Hungary:

[sevenn]

Originally Posted by drivethemachine

Look what I just found.
The steering rack in my G30 was made in Hungary:

You can find many other parts in the car that Bosch produced in Hungary, mostly sensors and electrical control units.