By successfully combining Hungarian talent and Japanese expertise, the company has become a strong driving force in the Hungarian automotive sector and is reaching out to international markets from its location in Esztergom, Hungary.
“Hungary has Suzuki’s third-largest production facility following Japan and India in terms of production volume,” said Yoshinobu Abe, MSC chief executive officer. “Our 3,200 employees in Hungary work hard to ensure our success, and today we export vehicles to almost 140 countries.”
MSC has produced over 3 million cars in Hungary. Iconic models produced on the Esztergom production line include the Swift, Wagon R+, Ignis, Splash, SX4, SX4 S-Cross and Vitara. In the sport utility vehicle and passenger car segments, the Vitara continues to drive MSC’s growth in Hungary.
Prior to the centenary of Suzuki Group in 2020, the company’s management plan for future growth, Suzuki Next 100, was introduced in 2015. As part of this strategy, the two leading models in the Suzuki range, the S-Cross and Vitara, were enhanced to dramatically improve driver experience with their technical and safety features.
“We have been No. 1 in new car sales in Hungary for the last two years and will strengthen our position in the market with our new products,” said Abe. In the first half of 2018, the company’s market share increased to 16.3 percent, in comparison to 12.44 percent from the same period of the previous year.
Locally produced, innovative and reliable vehicles have enabled MSC to achieve success in Hungary. The company is also committed to supporting its distribution network and delivering first-class customer care.
MSC’s 76 car, 17 motorcycle and nine marine dealerships across Hungary deliver Suzuki vehicles, motorbikes and outboard motors to customers.
We have been No. 1 in new car sales in Hungary for the last two years and will strengthen our position in the market with our new products.
Yoshinobu Abe, Chief Executive Officer of Magyar Suzuki Corp. (MSC)
“In Hungary, our sales and marketing teams are working to ensure the Suzuki brand is at the forefront of customers’ minds,” said Abe.
“We must work hard to keep our leading market position and do not intend to rest on our laurels. We continually invest in our facilities and we are implementing innovative technologies in several of our production processes to create a smart factory environment.”
In 2012, MSC entered into a strategic partnership with the Hungarian government to contribute to the development of the country’s automotive industry.
Four years later saw the company complete the large-scale automation and robotization of its facility where today, 770 robots work across the production process.
MSC’s commitment to Hungary continues through innovation- led projects in cooperation with universities, research facilities and suppliers. Currently around 1.748 billion euros has been invested.
Projects include investments in welding robot networks, the modernization of production logistics systems, the adoption of innovative laser welding technologies and the development of new, cost-effective polymers. These projects will enable MSC to produce increasingly advanced, more competitive and safer Suzuki prototypes by the year 2020.
“We are proud of our achievements in Hungary and our successes prove that Japan and Hungary are able to work closely together,” said Abe.
“Our employees in Hungary continue to contribute to our success and we will strengthen our commitment to Hungary as we grow our business here.”
