All entries related to Hungary, newest first. tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:en:en/countries/hungary 2026-10-22T06:00:00Z Eurotrack tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:1202d7c4:en 2026-10-22T06:00:00Z

According to the LIMÉSZ union group, several Hungarian employees at the Iváncsa battery plant were dismissed without warning on 21 October 2026, and staff expect further cuts. The company told news agency MTI that adapting the plant to current business conditions required difficult but unavoidable headcount decisions; it gives no figures. The union is asking for the scale and reasons and points out that a collective redundancy would have to follow the legal requirements (Portfolio, 22 Oct 2026). Update (28 October 2026): after Iváncsa, SK On Hungary has also started layoffs at its Komárom plant; according to the Liga union federation, several Hungarian and at least 20 Ukrainian workers lost their jobs there. The company speaks of difficult but unavoidable staffing decisions due to business conditions but gives no overall figure (444.hu, 28 October 2026). — Sources: https://www.portfolio.hu/gazdasag/20261022/megerositette-az-akkugyar-tobb-dolgozot-elbocsatottak-871636 · https://444.hu/2026/10/28/az-ivancsai-utan-most-a-komaromi-akkugyarban-is-elbocsatasok-kezdodtek

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:cb0210b2:en 2026-10-20T06:00:00Z

According to Világgazdaság, the Pécs city assembly voted in closed session on 20 October 2026, at the request of an unnamed international company, to lease a municipal office building (2,139 m²) for more than ten years; the agreement took effect on 21 October 2026. A business services centre is to open there with initially 230 jobs (later up to 300), with hiring planned from next autumn; the company funds the refit of nearly HUF 460m. The investor is not named; single-source report (Világgazdaság, 22 Oct 2026). — Source: https://www.vg.hu/vilaggazdasag-magyar-gazdasag/2026/10/pecs-beruhazas-onkormanyzat-epulet-egyetemista-kapitany

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:f9ee53ed:en 2026-10-20T06:00:00Z

Cuts hit unfavourable concession contracts (HUF 246bn) and business subsidies (HUF 170bn); higher levies on large companies, tobacco, retail, insurers and advertising come on top, plus the planned wealth tax. Fitch keeps Hungary at BBB (outlook negative) and expects a 2027 deficit of 5.4% (Daily News Hungary, 20 and 23 Oct 2026). — Source: https://dailynewshungary.com/hungary-cut-eur-4-billion-gov-spendings-2027/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:506289e4:en 2026-10-14T06:00:00Z

MOL has expanded the Szarvas biogas plant it acquired in 2023 with an upgrading unit that purifies biogas into grid-quality biomethane; it is the group's first biomethane plant and the third in Hungary. About 7m m³ of gas a year corresponds to the consumption of roughly 8,500 households; the plant processes over 40,000 t of meat-industry waste, 53,000 t of livestock residues and about 18,000 t of agricultural substrate a year. The technology came from Italy's Gruppo AB; the report gives no investment figure (economica.net, 14 Oct 2026). — Source: https://www.economica.net/mol-a-inaugurat-in-ungaria-prima-sa-unitate-de-productie-a-biometanului_985611.html

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:e37ea1f9:en 2026-10-13T06:00:00Z

€6.3bn had been frozen in 2022; a further €1bn was lost at the end of both 2024 and 2025. The Commission pointed to the strengthened Integrity Authority and asset declarations; universities run by KEKVA foundations can rejoin Erasmus+ at the earliest in the spring semester (Daily News Hungary, 13 Oct 2026). — Source: https://dailynewshungary.com/hungary-unlock-4-2-billion-eu-funds/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:927cc642:en 2026-10-09T06:00:00Z

On 9 October 2026 the government decided to give transport firms a fuel excise rebate of 25 forints per litre until the end of the year; like farmers they can reclaim the amount, at a budget cost of about HUF 6.3bn. The MFFE hauliers' association calls it helpful but insufficient and had asked for 128 forints per litre plus a 10% toll refund (vg.hu, 9 Oct 2026). — Source: https://www.vg.hu/vilaggazdasag-magyar-gazdasag/2026/10/jovedekiado-konnyites-vitezy-dizeltamogatas-kamionosok

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:2d02fe2c:en 2026-10-06T06:00:00Z

Government leader Péter Magyar announced on 06.10.2026 that Hungary will introduce a wealth tax on 01.01.2027: 1% on wealth above HUF 1bn and 1.5% on the part above HUF 100bn, based on net wealth per head of household; according to the impact assessment the government expects HUF 800bn over four years. The simplified small-business tax KATA is also to be reopened to more self-employed people, including side businesses: the monthly flat charge rises to HUF 100,000 for a main occupation (HUF 50,000 for a side business), the turnover cap from HUF 18m to HUF 22m, and revenue from business customers above HUF 8m will face an extra 15%. Both drafts go out for public consultation (Portfolio.hu, 06.10.2026; second source: 444.hu, 06.10.2026). — Sources: https://www.portfolio.hu/gazdasag/20261006/magyar-peter-bejelentette-modositjak-a-vagyonado-terveket-867748 · https://444.hu/2026/10/06/magyar-peter-adozas-kata-vagyonado · https://www.portfolio.hu/gazdasag/20261006/oriasi-valtozasokat-jelentett-be-magyar-peter-a-kata-kapcsan-867754

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:d5b703bd:en 2026-09-22T06:00:00Z

Milestone: on 22 Sept 2026 CATL began trial production on the first two lines of its new cell-manufacturing building in Debrecen, after receiving the occupancy permit in August 2026 and remedying deficiencies found by the authorities (including elevated nickel exposure among nine workers); series production will only follow after the ramp-in phase. Announced in 2022, the plant is to reach 100 GWh of annual capacity at full build-out, making it CATL's largest site outside China; module assembly has been running there since autumn 2024 (around 537,000 modules). The sources give neither the investment sum nor headcount (Portfolio.hu and Világgazdaság, 22 Sept 2026). Update (06.10.2026): State Secretary Zsolt Tárkányi of the transport and investment ministry published excerpts of the non-binding letter of intent signed with the previous government in 2022: it lists a planned investment value of €7.3bn and annual capacity of 100 GWh and holds out, among other things, an 80% corporate tax reduction for up to 13 years and possible cash grants (Portfolio.hu, 06.10.2026). — Sources: https://www.portfolio.hu/uzlet/20260922/merfoldkohoz-erkezett-a-catl-megkezdodik-a-tesztuzem-debrecenben-864380 · https://www.portfolio.hu/uzlet/20261006/komoly-kedvezmenyeket-igert-a-kormany-a-catl-debreceni-beruhazasahoz-867732

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:1118f8ea:en 2026-09-18T06:00:00Z

The concession remains in force for now; MKIF has reserved its rights and claims, and the European Commission is running an infringement procedure. HUF 870bn has been paid and another HUF 1,986bn falls due by 2030 (Daily News Hungary, 18/19 Sep 2026). — Source: https://dailynewshungary.com/peter-magyar-meszaros-motorway-concession/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:41e1efb8:en 2026-09-17T06:00:00Z

Hungarian drone maker ABZ Innovation opened its new global manufacturing centre in Szentendre on 17.09.2026 — according to the city, one of Europe's largest facilities built specifically for civilian drones. The plant is about four times the size of the company's previous site; ABZ aims to triple production in 2026 and expand capacity further in 2027. About half the workforce comes from Szentendre and the surrounding area, and no new-jobs figure was given; the company's drones are used in over 40 countries (City of Szentendre, 18.09.2026). — Source: https://szentendre.hu/szentendren-nyitott-globalis-gyarto-kozpontot-a-polgari-felhasznalasu-dronokat-keszito-abz-innovation/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:59a885f5:en 2026-09-15T06:00:00Z

Hankook has completed the fourth expansion phase at its Rácalmás plant (Fejér county): €540 million (around HUF 200 billion) has funded some 66,000 m² of new production and ancillary buildings since 2024, plus a truck and bus tyre line starting up in October 2026. The line has annual capacity of over 800,000 tyres and creates more than 450 jobs in the region. Since 2007 the South Korean group has invested around €856 million at the site across three earlier phases (Infostart/MTI, 15.09.2026). — Source: https://infostart.hu/gazdasag/2026/09/15/tobb-mint-felmilliard-eurobol-bovitett-idehaza-a-hankook

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:77773a26:en 2026-09-14T06:00:00Z

Sanofi is handing 20 older medicines to Greifswald-based specialist Cheplapharm, including the anticoagulant Lovenox/Clexane outside the US, together with three plants: Csanyikvölgy near Miskolc in Hungary with about 400 staff, Jurong in Singapore with about 100 and Ploërmel in France with about 65. In return Sanofi receives a 26.4% stake in Cheplapharm; further financial details are still to come. Staff transfer with their existing contracts and collective agreements, and according to Világgazdaság with a three-year employment guarantee at Miskolc — no job cuts or closures are planned. The products start moving across in the first quarter of 2027, with the plants following after employee consultation and regulatory approvals; everything is due to be completed by the third quarter of 2027 (Bionity, 16 Sep 2026; announced on 14 Sep 2026 according to Világgazdaság, 1 Oct 2026). — Sources: https://www.bionity.com/en/news/1189829/sanofi-is-transferring-20-established-medicines-and-three-manufacturing-sites-to-cheplapharm.html · https://www.vg.hu/vilaggazdasag-magyar-gazdasag/2026/10/sanofi-gyar-eladas-miskolc-dolgozok-munka-nemet-francia

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:e721a325:en 2026-09-07T06:00:00Z

German automotive supplier WKW Group informed employees on 07.09.2026 that its Győr plant (decorative trim for Audi, Mercedes, Jaguar, Porsche) will close by 31.12.2026 without a legal successor; the company states 470 employees are affected (other outlets report up to 585), citing lost customer orders amid the automotive downturn (Telex, 08.09.2026; Index.hu, 08.09.2026). — Source: https://telex.hu/gazdasag/2026/09/08/bezar-a-gyori-wkw-460-dolgozot-kuldenek-el

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:ead8c085:en 2026-09-01T06:00:00Z

Passenger trains have run between Tiszaújváros and Miskolc again since 1 September 2026, three years after the service was ended on the decision of the then transport minister János Lázár (announced by Minister Dávid Vitézy on 17 August 2026). Ten train pairs run daily in 33 to 38 minutes, tailored to commuters in the morning and every two hours during the day, calling at Sajószöged, Hejőkeresztúr and Nyékládháza with connections to InterCity trains at Miskolc; BDVmot railcars are used, and a coordinated bus line links the station, which lies away from the town, to the centre. The electrified line carries considerable freight, the petrochemical town of Tiszaújváros has about 14,000 inhabitants, and neither report gives any costs. (LOK Report, 19 Sep 2026) — Sources: https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/ungarn/ungarn-reaktivierungen-komlo-und-tiszaujvaros.html · https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/ungarn/ungarn-zum-1-september-fahren-wieder-zuege-nach-tiszaujvaros.html · https://www.mavcsoport.hu/sites/default/files/upload/page/89_ix.1-tol.pdf

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:a27287c9:en 2026-08-26T06:00:00Z

Hungary's last traditional enamelware factory (founded 1909, known for red enamel cookware) entered liquidation as reported on 26.08.2026; around 150 employees are affected after wages had partly or fully gone unpaid (Telex, 26.08.2026). — Source: https://telex.hu/gazdasag/2026/08/26/bonyhadi-zomancgyar-bezaras

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:ed357849:en 2026-08-05T06:00:00Z

The plant near Szolnok reported insolvency on 5 August 2026 and production has stopped. VG.hu puts the number of affected employees at about 400, other reports at up to roughly 480; the cause is the situation of the Accell group. Accell was the largest local business-tax payer and the mayor asked local firms to hire laid-off workers (VG.hu, 6 Aug 2026). — Source: https://www.vg.hu/vilaggazdasag-magyar-gazdasag/2026/08/szolnok-csodbe-ment-egy-ujabb-magyarorszagi-oriasgya

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:670d6264:en 2026-08-01T06:00:00Z

Passenger trains have run again on the Dombóvár–Komló line (line 47) since 1 August 2026; services had been suspended in 2023, and before the reopening the track alignment was corrected over more than 18 km and the fastenings of the concrete sleepers repaired at 6,500 points (announced on 22 July 2026). Class Bz railcars run as line S447 every two hours outside the early-morning and evening hours, taking 42 minutes, 8 minutes faster than the former replacement buses, with a change at Dombóvár to the Mecsek InterCity trains. Transport Minister Dávid Vitézy had named the line among his first projects at his appointment, which Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced on 24 April 2026; several thousand people gathered in Komló for the reopening, where a steam train arrived. (LOK Report, 2 Aug 2026) — Sources: https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/ungarn/ungarn-dombovar-komlo-mit-dampfzug-eroeffnet.html · https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/ungarn/ungarn-eroeffnung-dombovar-komlo-morgen-mit-dampflok.html · https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/ungarn/ungarn-der-zugverkehr-auf-der-strecke-dombovar-komlo-wird-wieder-aufgenommen.html · https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/ungarn/ungarn-david-vitezy-soll-minister-fuer-verkehr-und-investitionen-werden-ende-der-eisenbahnzerstoerung-unter-seinem-vorgaenger.html

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:c0e86032:en 2026-07-31T06:00:00Z

Hungarian real estate group Appeninn closed its acquisition of Dekada S.A.'s Polish retail portfolio on Friday 31 July 2026: seven retail parks (Brodnica, Ciechanów, Grójec, Kraków, Myślenice, Olsztyn, Nowy Targ) and four shopping centres (Malbork, Sieradz, Skierniewice, Żyrardów) totalling around 53,000 sqm of leasable space and over €10 million in annual gross rent. Tenants include Biedronka, Rossmann, Empik, JYSK, Castorama and Action. The purchase was funded from own resources plus a loan from Austria's Erste Group Bank AG; the price was not disclosed but exceeds €100 million according to the company. Appeninn's Polish property portfolio thereby rises above €170 million. — Source: https://www.portfolio.hu/ingatlan/20260731/tobb-mint-100-millio-euros-ingatlanpiaci-tranzakciot-zart-az-appeninn-853434

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:6e5cc4bf:en 2026-07-31T06:00:00Z

Hungary's MOL is acquiring from Shell the company BG Cyprus, which holds 35% of the non-operated Aphrodite gas field; the price is up to USD 720m including milestone-linked payments. The field holds about 104 bcm of gas; Chevron operates it (35%) and NewMed holds 30%. A final investment decision is planned for 2027 and first gas for 2031 via a 250 km pipeline to Egypt. Closing is expected in early 2027 and needs regulatory approvals (World Oil, 31 Jul 2026). — Source: https://www.worldoil.com/news/2026/7/31/shell-sells-aphrodite-gas-field-stake-to-mol-in-deal-worth-up-to-720-million/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:a8376375:en 2026-07-29T06:00:00Z

On 29 July 2026 Hungary's competition authority GVH cleared, without conditions, Vajda-Papír Kft.'s acquisition of Sofidel Hungary Kft.'s private-label household paper manufacturing business and parts of its distribution operations at the Lábatlan site; the authority found the deal would not significantly reduce competition in the markets concerned. Vajda-Papír is Hungary's leading family-owned tissue paper manufacturer with more than 700 employees across three Hungarian sites and one in Norway. The transaction value was not disclosed. — Source: https://www.portfolio.hu/uzlet/20260729/zold-utat-adott-a-versenyhivatal-a-vajda-papir-legujabb-felvasarlasanak-852870

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:e4b762a5:en 2026-07-27T06:00:00Z

GE Vernova is modernising its gas turbine plant in Veresegyház for USD 24.5m — including robotic welding cells and a thermal barrier coating facility — and is adding a solar park and an energy storage unit at the site. More than 80 new skilled workers (CNC turners, welders, fitters, assembly technicians) are to be hired. The site is regarded as the group's largest gas turbine manufacturing base outside the United States. So far reported by a single source (Pénzcentrum). — Source: https://www.penzcentrum.hu/vallalkozas/20260727/elkepeszto-fejlesztest-jelentett-be-az-amerikai-vallalat-a-magyarorszagi-gyaraban-rengeteg-uj-dolgozot-is-felvesznek-1202950

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:c863bb84:en 2026-07-27T06:00:00Z

Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced the measures on 27 July 2026 in an extraordinary session of parliament, presenting them as part of the relief policy of his government's first roughly 70 days. At 27%, Hungary has the highest standard VAT rate in the EU. Second source: 10perc.hu, 28 July 2026. — Source: https://www.portfolio.hu/gazdasag/20260727/magyar-peter-ujabb-afacsokkentesrol-beszel-852260

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:d64fe853:en 2026-07-25T06:00:00Z

Following a meeting with Suzuki CEO Toshihiro Suzuki, Hungarian economy minister István Kapitány announced a HUF 76bn development of the Esztergom plant. The plant is to build electric vehicles and battery packs in future. Magyar Suzuki currently employs around 2,800 people and produced some 108,000 vehicles in 2025. The meeting took place on 24 July; broad media coverage began on 25 July. Second source: Világgazdaság (vg.hu). — Source: https://www.penzcentrum.hu/gazdasag/20260725/elkepeszto-bejelentest-tett-a-suzuki-gigaszi-76-milliardos-gyarfejlesztes-indul-esztergomban-1202862

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:22ba45ca:en 2026-07-22T06:00:00Z

Hungary's government launched the Baross Gábor Railway Development Plan on 22 July 2026, a ten-year programme that is meant to modernise rail transport with HUF 3,550 billion (about EUR 9.8 billion), mostly from EU funds. The total comprises HUF 1,800 billion of secured grants, HUF 950 billion of commitments for project starts in the 2028–2034 EU cycle, an EIB loan of HUF 400 billion and a further HUF 400 billion from concession-based sources. It provides for 35 new InterCity trains, 42 suburban trains for the HÉV lines to Szentendre, Csepel and Ráckeve, a complete renovation of the worst-maintained section of the Budapest–Miskolc line, the modernisation of Budapest–Szeged for 160 km/h and the reopening of closed branch lines. (LOK Report, 28 Jul 2026) — Sources: https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/ungarn/ungarn-die-regierung-laeutet-eine-neue-aera-in-der-geschichte-der-ungarischen-eisenbahn-ein.html · https://cdn.kormany.hu/uploads/sheets/4/48/48b/48bfe969a5eda99733c11b4958e5322.pdf

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:979dc1da:en 2026-07-21T06:00:00Z

ISD Power, the energy and heat supplier of the insolvent Dunai Vasmű (Dunaferr) steelworks in Dunaújváros, announced on 21 July 2026 that it will lay off 150 of its roughly 300 employees. Unions warn that the reduced maintenance crew cannot keep the plant halls heated in winter — impending frost damage would further worsen the already poor prospects of selling the works. State funding for preserving the plant fell from HUF 1bn to 821m between May and July 2026; the main Dunarolling operation had already shrunk from 2,150 to 150 employees by the end of 2025. Second source: Világgazdaság (vg.hu). Follow-up 24 July 2026: the insolvency administrator has withdrawn the collective redundancy. According to Zoltán Magyar, head of the Dunaferr DV Vasas union federation, he and the works council were informed only verbally and without any reasons given; he suspects a link to renewed public attention on the steelworks' situation. The 150 jobs are therefore not being cut for now, though a fresh announcement cannot be ruled out (source: 444.hu citing Telex, 24 July 2026). Update (24 July 2026): The ISD Power liquidator withdrew the announced collective redundancy of 150 workers; the jobs remain for now, though a new attempt cannot be ruled out. (Világgazdaság, 24 July 2026) — Sources: https://www.portfolio.hu/gazdasag/20260721/vegleg-elpusztulhat-a-legendas-magyar-gyar-jon-a-fagy-ami-mindent-tonkretehet-850970 · https://www.vg.hu/cegvilag/2026/07/dunai-vasmu-isd-power-letszamleepites-szakszervezet

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:a35419f1:en 2026-07-20T06:00:00Z

On 20 July 2026 Hungary's OTP Bank signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Luminor Holding from a consortium of Blackstone-managed private equity funds (majority) and DNB Bank. Luminor is the third-largest financial services provider in the Baltics (Latvia's fourth-largest bank by total assets); for 2025 it reported net profit of €158m, a return on equity of 8.6% and a CET1 ratio of 20.2%. The purchase price was not disclosed. Completion is subject to regulatory approvals (Estonian financial supervisor, ECB, Latvian central bank). Second source: BNN. — Source: https://www.baltictimes.com/otp_bank_to_acquire_luminor__opening_a_new_chapter_in_baltic_financial_markets/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:eb5bf420:en 2026-07-17T06:00:00Z

The Hungarian government has stripped Chinese group KunlunChem's planned battery-electrolyte plant near Szolnok/Abony of its priority-investment status (reported on 17 July). This removes fast-track procedural advantages; according to Portfolio.hu no formal environmental permitting procedure had been initiated so far — a setback for another battery-supply project in Hungary. — Source: https://www.portfolio.hu/uzlet/20260717/mar-nem-kiemelt-beruhazas-a-szolnoki-elektrolitgyar-sikerult-megfurni-a-beruhazast-850342

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:1d8ef5f5:en 2026-07-17T06:00:00Z

By the end of 2026 Nestlé is ending production of hollow chocolate figures (seasonal confectionery) at its Diósgyőr (Miskolc) site — according to the company due to a sharp fall in demand; the affected line accounts for under 0.4% of Hungarian manufacturing. This is not a full plant closure; Nestlé is seeking a buyer to preserve confectionery production and jobs at the site. The number of affected employees was not stated (second source: economx.hu). Update (19.10.2026): Nestlé Hungária agreed on 11.09.2026 to sell the plant to Hungary's Vimpex Group; Vimpex commits to continuing confectionery production without interruption from early 2027 and will keep at least a third of the roughly 220 employees, while up to 140 leaving staff get a severance package (Hungary Today, 14.09.2026). The closure of the site has therefore been averted. — Source: https://index.hu/belfold/2026/07/17/nestle-diosgyor-gyar-bezaras-miskolc-csokolade-edesseggyartas/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:05e10f21:en 2026-07-13T06:00:00Z

Mercedes-Benz has inaugurated the roughly €1 bn plant expansion in Kecskemét — doubling the plant area from 200 to 440 hectares, now the largest Mercedes plant in Europe. At the same time, series production of the all-electric C-Class began; the workforce is set to grow from around 5,000 to 9,000–10,000 employees. Update (14 July 2026): Mercedes-Benz has inaugurated the expansion of its Kecskemét plant and started production of the all-electric C-Class there. (electrive, 14 July 2026) — Source: https://www.electrive.com/2026/07/14/mercedes-celebrates-plant-expansion-in-hungary-and-the-production-launch-of-the-electric-c-class/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:c384bd6e:en 2026-07-10T06:00:00Z

The Magyar government filed the request in May. The EPPO starts operating 20 days after the Council appoints Hungary's European Prosecutor; an office is to open in Budapest (Eunews, 10 Jul 2026). — Source: https://www.eunews.it/en/2026/07/10/hungary-joins-eppo-von-der-leyen-welcome-to-the-european-public-prosecutors-office/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:a8b4e16f:en 2026-04-22T06:00:00Z

About 600 employees are affected; the company cites stagnant demand, price pressure and cost constraints and promises a benefits package and help finding jobs. The Nyíregyháza plant had already been closed earlier (Daily News Hungary, 22 Apr 2026). — Source: https://dailynewshungary.com/historic-hungarian-electrolux-ceases-work/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:bfec34b2:en 2026-02-27T06:00:00Z

Regular freight services have run on the Budapest–Belgrade line since 27 February 2026; the first train to run as far as Novi Sad was a Rail Cargo Hungaria freight train from BorsodChem. The Hungarian section Budapest–Kelebia (166 of 350 km) is double-track and electrified, which lets trains from Serbia bypass the congested Ferencváros junction and reach the BILK terminal directly. Without the Chinese ETCS Level 2 system, the line was limited in March to 100 km/h and one freight train per direction at a time; shortly before 13 August 2026 the supplier reported the system complete, and the tests between Budapest and Kelebia were due to finish within two weeks. Passenger services, originally planned by 15 March 2026, could start in autumn 2026 according to the transport ministers of Hungary and Serbia, provided the safety checks and a simulation run after 24 August 2026 are passed. (LOK Report, 13 Aug 2026) Update (26 Oct 2026): According to transport minister Dávid Vitézy, the load tests and ETCS trials on the Hungarian section are complete; regulatory approvals were expected for mid-October, so domestic service can start in the second half of October. International service at 160 km/h is planned for the timetable change on 13 December 2026, after about two more months of track-adjustment work. MÁV has published two EC train pairs Vienna–Budapest–Belgrade (journey time around 6 h 40), and Serbia initially plans eight train pairs (LOK Report). — Sources: https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/ungarn/ungarn-serbien-der-personenverkehr-budapest-kelebia-beograd-koennte-im-herbst-aufgenommen-werden.html · https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/ungarn/serbien-ungarn-hochgeschwindigkeitsverkehr-budapest-beograd-koennte-zum-fahrplanwechsel-starten.html · https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/ungarn/65746-ungarn-erster-gueterzug-der-rch-auf-der-linie-budapest-belgrad-abgewickelt.html · https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/ungarn/64450-serbien-ungarn-beograd-budapest-startet-ende-februar.html

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:18916295:en 2026-02-02T06:00:00Z

BYD has started trial production at its first European passenger car plant in Szeged; series start in Q2 2026. The first model is the Dolphin Surf, with planned capacity of initially around 150,000 and a maximum of up to 300,000 vehicles per year. — Source: https://www.electrive.com/2026/02/02/byd-begins-trial-production-of-passenger-cars-in-hungary/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:d91d0010:en 2026-01-19T06:00:00Z

MOL signed binding heads of agreement on 19 January 2026; the Pančevo refinery, with 4.8 million tonnes of annual capacity, restarted after a shutdown caused by US sanctions. Serbia and MOL signed a shareholders' agreement on 16 June 2026 that applies only if the purchase closes and the US (OFAC) agrees. The OFAC licence for the negotiations runs until 30 October 2026; unconfirmed reports speak of stalling talks, and a purchase agreement has not been publicly confirmed (OGJ, 20 Jan 2026; European Western Balkans, 1 Oct 2026). — Sources: https://ogj.com/general-interest/news/55344522/mol-agrees-to-acquire-majority-ownership-of-serbian-nis-as-pancevo-refinery-begins-start-up-activities · https://balkangreenenergynews.com/serbia-mol-sign-shareholders-agreement-on-oil-company-nis-management/ · https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2026/10/01/mol-receives-a-new-license-extension-to-continue-talks-on-acquisition-of-russian-stake-in-nis/

tag:eurotrack.ai,2026:8d99cf68:en 2025-11-05T06:00:00Z

Wiener Stadtwerke is selling Wiener Lokalbahnen Cargo (WLC), a rail operator in intermodal and conventional freight, to CER Cargo Group, which is based in Budapest and emerged as best bidder from an open tender launched in May 2025. The report gives no purchase price; the change of ownership is due to close by the end of 2025. CER Cargo, which has subsidiaries in several southern, eastern and central European countries, wants to use WLC to expand its interoperable services in Austria and Germany. (LOK Report, 5 Nov 2025) Update (30.12.2025): The acquisition closed on 23 Dec 2025; the former WLC has since been renamed CER Cargo Traction GmbH, with Lars Rose and Anton Forstner as managing directors (Österreichische Verkehrszeitung, 30 Dec 2025). — Sources: https://www.lok-report.de/news/europa/oesterreich/62825-oesterreich-wiener-lokalbahnen-cargo-wlc-erhaelt-mit-cer-cargo-group-neuen-eigentuemer.html · https://oevz.com/kauf-von-wlc-ist-jetzt-in-trockenen-tuechern/