Opel starts making engines in new Hungarian plant, already plans expansion

Opel started engine production last week in its new plant in Szentgotthárd, Hungary.

The first engine to be produced in the plant is the 1.6-liter, four-cylinder, direct-injection ECOTEC Turbo unit. The newly built, flexible engine plant will get an additional 130 million euros in investment, according to Opel.

“Opel is in the midst of a product offensive: 23 new models and 13 new engines will be launched by 2016 and many of these engines will be built in Hungary. We were the first automotive company to invest in this country back in 1991 and our latest investments underline our partnership and commitments here. ” said Opel Vice President Government Relations Joachim Koschnicke at the production launch.

The additional investment is needed to increase annual output by 100,000 engines by enlarging the plant by 1,600 square meters and installing over 80 new machines. Including this expansion, Opel’s total investment in Hungary will be approximately 1.4 billion euros and the new engine plant’s annual production capacity will increase to 600,000 engines.

Opel will build in the Hungarian plant a family of small gasoline engines, a family of medium-sized gasoline engines and a family of medium-sized diesel engines. The new engine families will meet future Euro 6 emission standards. Production of the new 1.6-liter diesel units will follow by the end of this month.