Automotive industry 2026
Program
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There is fierce competition for new technologies in the automotive industry between Europe and China, and Europe and the US. The industry has been facing serious challenges for years, with the forced transition to electromobility and the rather strict European Union rules, all of which are challenging traditional car manufacturers. What are the biggest challenges that will also fundamentally affect domestic operations in the coming years?
Although domestic car and engine manufacturers expect production stability to have improved by 2025, maintaining competitiveness remains a key issue. The European market is stagnating, and Hungarian plants are continuously improving to adapt to global trends. Electrification, digitalisation and labour market challenges are bringing significant changes, competition from China is intensifying - how can European manufacturers maintain their own positions, even in cooperation with Asian investors?
The Hungarian automotive industry's key customers, major companies, trends, investments, crisis management, competitiveness and development trends
What strategies are Hungarian manufacturers and suppliers using to maintain their position in an increasingly competitive market? How can they better cooperate with new companies setting up in Hungary in the coming period?
Super-advanced technologies can only be useful if workers are prepared to use them. But how can we combine available new technologies with existing human resources to achieve better business results?
And from 2026, no more secrecy, pay parity will be mandatory - what does this mean in practice?
In an environment of labour shortages, pay is no longer just an HR issue, but a business competitiveness factor. This presentation will show how pay parity can help reduce turnover, speed up recruitment and stabilise key competencies. How to avoid "wage spirals" and a sense of internal injustice, while preparing managers to communicate openly about pay without conflict.
In spite of the relaxed EU-level regulation, environmental and sustainability issues, such as ESG, continue to pose very serious challenges for both Hungarian and European automotive companies. Is it a choice between greening production and cost efficiency?
Who is adapting its energy procurement and use strategy to the new challenges? Jellyfish Pond programme for renewable energy production and storage
Super-advanced technologies can only be useful if workers are prepared to use them. But how can we combine available new technologies with existing human resources to achieve better business results?
And from 2026, no more secrecy, pay parity will be mandatory - what does this mean in practice?
In an environment of labour shortages, pay is no longer just an HR issue, but a business competitiveness factor. This presentation will show how pay parity can help reduce turnover, speed up recruitment and stabilise key competencies. How to avoid "wage spirals" and a sense of internal injustice, while preparing managers to communicate openly about pay without conflict.
In spite of the relaxed EU-level regulation, environmental and sustainability issues, such as ESG, continue to pose very serious challenges for both Hungarian and European automotive companies. Is it a choice between greening production and cost efficiency?
Who is adapting its energy procurement and use strategy to the new challenges? Jellyfish Pond programme for renewable energy production and storage
The AI revolution is only just beginning: the first enterprise GenAI solutions and tools to support work and internal processes are ready and performing in real life. Almost everyone has done the mandatory homework, but the work and the real AI transformation is just beginning. In a full session, we'll look at how AI could change the automotive industry.
In cooperation with our hosts, we offer our participants a unique opportunity for targeted business networking! Those with a valid conference registration can sign up for a 15-minute one-on-one business networking/introductory session with specific conference speakers in a private meeting room at specific times.
Speakers who are welcome to join you for an in-person discussion:
Brozman Zsuzsanna, HR Director, Starters E-Components Generators Automotive Hungary Kft. (S.E.G.A. Hungary Kft.)
Jenő Csanaki, Production Director, Opel Szentgotthárd Kft.
Zoltán Dapsy, Factory Manager, AUMOVIO Hungary Kft.
Ana Dedéné Novotni, Vice President, Hajdu Group
Csaba Göntér, Services Business Unit Director, thyssenkrupp Materials Zrt.
Gábor Koós, Project Manager, Siemens Zrt.
Gábor Krasznay, Vice President for Automotive Electronics Development at Bosch in Hungary, Robert Bosch Kft.
Dávid Schnaider, Director of Business Development, Videoton Holding Zrt.
dr. Zoltán Varga, Chief Operating Officer - HR, Corporate Services, Legal and Compliance, Magyar Suzuki
Charles Wassen, General Manager, Country Operations Lead, Dana Hungary Kft. - IN ENGLISH
Wolf Gábor, Managing Director, Emika Zrt.
Application procedure and conditions:
Your registration is welcome by e-mail to toth@portfolio.hu (Kata Tóth, Conference Project Manager, Portfolio).Your registration material will be treated confidentially
- Please indicate in your letter in the IMPORTANT LIST the speakers from the list you would like to meet. More than one speaker may be selected, but each applicant will probably be invited to ONE or TWO meetings, based on priority and speaker preferences
By emailing us, you may be able to choose from more than one speaker.
- For each speaker selected, please write in at least one or two sentences, up to a maximum of 5, why you would like to meet that person, what would be the main purpose of the meeting
- If more people apply for a speaker than the time available, the right to choose is always reserved for the speaker. If you are not included in the list of your first choice, we will consider other speakers in order of priority.
- If you agree, we will share your contact details with the speakers you have selected, regardless of the meeting arranged. You will then have the opportunity to contact them even after the event
- Details of the meeting (venue, time) will be communicated to both parties by e-mail in all cases.
Join us as soon as possible - take part in the organised networking, take advantage of new business opportunities to improve your competitiveness!
Following the successful integration of Schaeffler and Vitesco Technologies on 1 October 2024, the Debrecen E-Mobility factory, now part of the Schaeffler Group, specialises in producing automotive electronics. Located in the Southern Industrial Park, the factory employs 1,200 people who work tirelessly to produce high-quality, state-of-the-art power electronics solutions, including gearbox control units, starter generators, voltage converters, and actuators. These products are manufactured using 62 different production technologies and help keep Europe's most established car manufacturers' passenger cars on the road. Visitors will gain an insight into the company's technological diversity on the tour.
All slots are full.
SEMCORP Hungary combines the expertise and innovation of SEMCORP Advanced Materials Group with a strategic European location. Our proximity to key markets enables us to effectively meet the growing needs of the electromobility sector in the region. Our cutting-edge facility in Hungary boasts exceptional manufacturing capacity and adheres to the highest quality and sustainability standards. SEMCORP has attracted cooperative new energy lithium battery and packaging companies from all over the world thanks to the outstanding quality, high efficiency and stability of our products.
Thyssenkrupp is a global industrial and technology company with a presence in nearly 80 countries and more than 200 years of industrial experience, contributing to the mobility solutions of the future. The Debrecen plant began operations in 2017, where we manufacture vehicle suspension components, primarily springs and stabilizers, using state-of-the-art technology. Nearly 300 employees work to produce reliable, high-quality products for the world's leading car manufacturers. During the factory tour, participants will gain insight into modern automotive manufacturing processes and the technology used to produce suspension systems.
The company's main activity is the production of sheet metal components and sub-assemblies for passenger and commercial vehicles, including various body panels, cooling unit components, alternator and starter parts, sunroof components and seat components, as well as exhaust system sheet metal components. The company also simulates pressed and deep drawn parts and designs, manufactures and maintains the necessary sheet metal forming tools and inspection equipment.
Please note that you may cancel your visit up to 24 hours before the scheduled time if it is not possible to carry out the visit at the specified time. The company cannot be held liable for any costs or damages incurred by cancellation. Thank you for your understanding!"
Departure times for the tours are 9:00 and 11:00, therefore TWO LOCATIONS ARE OPTIONAL!
Currently available locations:
Schaeffler Debrecen E-Mobility Factory
Schaeffler Motion Technologies Debrecen Kft.
Following the successful integration of Schaeffler and Vitesco Technologies on October 1, 2024, the Debrecen E-Mobility factory, now part of the Schaeffler Group, specializes in the production of automotive electronics products. Located in the Southern Industrial Park, 1,200 employees work day in, day out to produce high-quality, state-of-the-art power electronics solutions such as gearbox control units, starter generators, voltage converters and actuators. The products, manufactured using 62 different production technologies, help to keep Europe's most established car manufacturer's passenger cars moving. The visit will give visitors an insight into the company's technological diversity.
MWS: separator base film production unit
SEMCORP Hungary combines the expertise and innovation of SEMCORP Advanced Materials Group with a strategic European location. This proximity to key markets allows us to effectively meet the growing needs of the electromobility sector in the region. Our state-of-the-art facility in Hungary provides outstanding manufacturing capacity while adhering to the highest quality standards and sustainability practices. With its outstanding quality, high efficiency and high stability, SEMCORP has attracted cooperative new energy lithium battery companies and packaging companies from all over the world.
Our products: lithium-ion battery separator film, aluminium plastic film mainly used in the electronics and entertainment industry (e.g. smart watch, telephone), Bopp film, packaging boxes
Thyssenkrupp Springs & Stabilizers Ltd.
Thyssenkrupp is a global industrial and technology company with a presence in nearly 80 countries and more than 200 years of industrial experience, contributing to the mobility solutions of the future. The Debrecen plant began operations in 2017, where we manufacture vehicle suspension components, primarily springs and stabilizers, using state-of-the-art technology. Nearly 300 employees work to produce reliable, high-quality products for the world's leading car manufacturers. During the factory tour, participants will gain insight into modern automotive manufacturing processes and the technology used to produce suspension systems.
HAJDU Autotechnika Ipari Zrt.A factory visit to HAJDU Autotechnika Zrt. will give participants an insight into the company's automotive activities and ongoing technological developments. The programme will include a tour of the production and tooling facilities equipped with modern machinery.
The main activity of the company is the production of sheet metal components and sub-assemblies for passenger and commercial vehicles, such as various body panels, cooling unit components, alternator and starter parts, sunroof components, seat components, exhaust system sheet metal components. Simulation of pressed and deep drawn parts, and design, manufacture and maintenance of the necessary sheet metal forming tools and inspection equipment.
"Please note that you may cancel your visit, up to 24 hours before the scheduled time, if it is not possible to carry out the visit at the time specified. The company cannot be held liable for any costs or damages incurred by cancellation. Thank you for your understanding!"
Please be informed that during the factory visit, the venues are entitled to determine and, if necessary, limit the number of participants for business, organisational and/or security reasons. In some cases, participation may require the signing of a liability and/or confidentiality agreement on site and the taking of photographs or videos may not be permitted.
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