BUDAPEST, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- German premium automaker Mercedes-Benz on Monday started series production of the all-electric version of its GLB model at its manufacturing plant in Kecskemet, central Hungary, according to Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto.
Szijjarto made the remarks at a ceremony marking the start of production, saying the new production line represents a further expansion of Mercedes-Benz's manufacturing presence in Hungary and supports the development of the country's automotive industry.
The minister said the Kecskemet facility is the second-largest plant within the Mercedes-Benz Group and the largest automotive factory in Hungary. Szijjarto also said research and development activities at the plant are being strengthened, with Hungarian engineers increasingly involved in prototype development. The factory currently employs about 4,500 people, making it the largest employer in the region.
According to official data, Hungary has attracted 452 automotive-related investments over the past 11 years, with a total value of about 6,800 billion forints (20.4 billion U.S. dollars), creating approximately 65,000 jobs. (1 Hungarian forint = 0.0030 U.S. dollar)
