FM Szijjártó Lauds Mercedes-Benz’s Markus Schäfer for Impact on Hungarian Economy

Budapest: Markus Schäfer, a member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG, has been awarded in recognition of his contributions to Hungary, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced in Budapest on Tuesday.

According to About Hungary, FM Szijjártó emphasized that Markus Schäfer should be regarded as a true friend of Hungary, having made strategic decisions that have significantly benefited the Hungarian economy and its workforce. FM Szijjártó reminisced about Mercedes-Benz’s launch of series production in Hungary in 2012, highlighting the first model produced exclusively in the country for global markets, which came off the production line a year later. He further noted the milestone achieved last October when the two-millionth vehicle was completed at the company’s plant in Kecskemét.

The foreign minister highlighted the evolution of the Kecskemét facility, noting that it has now reached a stage where high-tech internal combustion engine vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric models are prod
uced at the same site. He added that the Kecskemét plant has become Mercedes-Benz’s largest production facility in Europe and second largest globally after China.

FM Szijjártó discussed the significant investments Mercedes-Benz has made in Kecskemét in recent years, which are expected to double the plant’s initial production capacity by early next year. He also mentioned the relocation of high value-added activities, such as prototype development, to Hungary.

The foreign minister pointed out that the Kecskemét plant now employs over 5,000 people directly and has been recognized as Hungary’s most attractive workplace in 2024. The plant has repeatedly been selected as the best factory within the Mercedes group worldwide.

FM Szijjártó stressed that these achievements owe much to committed corporate leaders like Markus Schäfer. He credited Schäfer’s decisions with making the Kecskemét plant Mercedes-Benz’s largest European factory, positioning Hungary as a key player in Europe’s electric automotive transition,
and establishing the core of Mercedes-Benz’s electromobility strategy in Hungary.

FM Szijjártó described the automotive industry’s current transformation as a historic shift reshaping the global economic balance. He asserted that Hungary has clearly positioned itself among the winners of this new era, particularly through its role at the forefront of the automotive-driven technological revolution in Europe.

The award, the Key to the City of Kecskemét, was presented to Markus Schäfer by Klaudia Pataki, Mayor of Kecskemét, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.