Several major car manufacturers operate in Hungary.
On September 26, 2025, BMW officially opened its new factory in Debrecen. In this city in eastern Hungary, the company will begin serial production of its latest model, the Neue Klasse iX3.
Hans-Peter Kemser, President and CEO of BMW Manufacturing Hungary Kft., recalled at the opening ceremony that when BMW decided to build a new factory in Europe, they found the perfect location in Debrecen: strong and committed partners, reliable suppliers, and modern infrastructure.
For the first time in BMW’s history, the entire plant was designed in a virtual environment before being built exactly as it appears today.
“All innovation and high-tech come together in Debrecen,” Kemser emphasized, highlighting that the plant is not connected to the public electricity grid — instead, the largest solar power plant in Hungary was built to supply its energy needs. “This is not just a factory; it’s a cornerstone of progress,” he said, noting that the plant provides livelihoods for more than 2,000 people, with another 1,000 connected indirectly.
Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW Group, stated that the construction of the Debrecen plant opens a new chapter in BMW’s history.
“We have become part of Debrecen, part of Hungarian society,” he added, pointing out that the Debrecen plant is a symbol of BMW and its most modern factory, built with sustainability in mind.
The brand-new factory will produce a brand-new model: the Neue Klasse iX3, which Zipse described as efficient, sustainable, and digital. He added that the iX3 is the first step in a new generation of vehicles.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also attended and spoke at the event, recalling that when he and Chancellor Helmut Kohl agreed on cooperation between Hungarian and German industry in 1998, this is exactly what they had envisioned.
The decision to build the plant in Debrecen was made seven years ago, and the foundation stone was laid four years ago. Production will be ramped up gradually, and the plant’s maximum annual capacity will be 150,000 cars.
The Debrecen factory is likely the most modern car plant in Hungary, but it is neither the first nor the largest:
- Audi Győr produced 180,000 cars last year and operates the largest engine factory in the world.
- Mercedes-Benz Kecskemét produced 146,000 cars in 2024, with a major capacity expansion planned for next year that could more than double production.
- Suzuki Esztergom produced 111,000 cars last year.
- BYD is building a new factory in Szeged, with a planned capacity of 300,000 cars per year.
(Sources: MTI, Hirado.hu, Portfolio.hu)
