István Knezsik, president of Magyar Gépjármű-importőrök Egyesülete (MGE), has helped turn the association into a hands-on industry partner, translating rules into usable guidance and feeding evidence to policymakers. He focuses on renewing Hungary’s aging fleet, giving buyers clearer comparisons, and upskilling dealer and service networks. Knezsik explains how the market is adapting to competing drivetrains and how long-standing ties with Japanese manufacturers and suppliers are strengthening practical solutions and market readiness.
Bridges: How has MGE’s role evolved under your leadership and what are your key priorities for the sector?
Knezsik: I’ve been involved in the presidency’s work for decades and collaborated closely with the last two presidents, so my leadership builds on continuity with a stronger, more proactive stance. Today the importers’ association not only monitors the regulatory environment but also translates it into clear guidance for members and consumers. We invest in consumer education—helping buyers compare modern powertrains and safety technologies—and we provide data-driven input to policymakers to keep rules technology-neutral. My key priorities are: renewing the national vehicle fleet, improving customer information and trust, and supporting the dealer and service network with training so they’re ready for new technologies.
What main trends or challenges define Hungary’s vehicle market today?
The central challenge is uncertainty: no one can definitively say which powertrain will dominate—battery-electric, hybrid, hydrogen, or new generations of highly efficient internal-combustion. That uncertainty makes both selling these vehicles and preparing workshops to repair them more complex. The whole ecosystem—importers, dealers, technicians—is in a continuous innovation and learning cycle, from diagnostics to high-voltage safety. Another structural issue is an aging vehicle fleet; the market would benefit from faster renewal.
How is MGE driving the shift toward electric mobility and cooperation with Japan?
I greatly value Japan’s pragmatic approach to electromobility: on-board electricity generation in hybrid systems can make everyday e-mobility highly efficient and user-friendly. MGE’s role is to give customers clear, comparable information on powertrain differences—range, efficiency, total cost of ownership, and real-world use—so they can choose the right solution for their needs. I also have deep respect for Japanese manufacturers’ internal-combustion innovations—Mazda is a good example—where efficiency and emissions performance remain impressively strong. It’s a privilege that Suzuki has had a long-standing presence in Hungary, and suppliers like DENSO show the Japanese industry’s long-term commitment here. We foster this cooperation by facilitating dialogue, sharing best practices, and supporting joint training and supplier development that raise the whole market’s capabilities.
MGE’s role is to give customers clear, comparable information on powertrain differences—range, efficiency, total cost of ownership, and real-world use—so they can choose the right solution for their needs.
István Knezsik, President of Magyar Gépjármű-importőrök Egyesülete (MGE)
Why is MGE a vital partner for automotive companies expanding in Hungary?
Our members cover almost the entire supply side of the market, which gives us a comprehensive view of trends, risks, and opportunities. We maintain daily contact with regulators and public administration, ensuring exceptionally fast, two-way information flow between the industry and the state. For companies entering or scaling up in Hungary, this means early awareness of regulatory changes, help interpreting compliance requirements, and access to a broad network of dealers, service providers, and logistics partners. We also support workforce upskilling and technical training, provide consumer-education frameworks that build trust in new technologies, and offer a neutral platform where competitors can align on safety, sustainability, and standards—accelerating smoother market entry and growth.
