Debrecen4U September 26, 2025

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó: “The entire automotive industry may depend on BMW production in Debrecen”

Seven years after the historic announcement, the BMW plant in Debrecen will officially open on Friday, where mass production of the fully electric Neue Klasse series will soon begin. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó will attend the event.

Péter Szijjártó, who announced on July 31, 2018, that one of the world’s most successful and largest car manufacturers would build its latest plant near Debrecen, visited Médiacentrum’s Debrecen studio on Petőfi Square before the official plant opening, where editor-in-chief Zsuzsa Keserű interviewed him for the HírPONT Extra current affairs program, which will be broadcast on Debrecen Television this evening.

“When we talk about the Debrecen plant, we are talking about a global sensation; we have reached a milestone in the automotive technology revolution,” the minister stated, adding that this is a critically important undertaking because the future of the entire automotive industry may depend on the Debrecen plant.

“The automotive industry must switch to fully electric vehicles, because if road transport cannot be converted to electric power, environmental goals cannot be achieved. This is a technical issue. The major automotive companies are investing billions in development to replace traditional powertrains,” the minister said.

He emphasized that it is very important that German car manufacturers have placed their trust in Hungarian locations, as this creates jobs in the country. More than 176,000 people work directly in the automotive industry in Hungary, and even more indirectly, and the BMW plant in Debrecen will also create further jobs.

When asked what he thought about the idea that the iX3 could be considered BMW’s Dominik Szoboszlai, as was reported on Dehir, Péter Szijjártó agreed wholeheartedly.

“I last met with BMW executives two weeks ago, and they were very excited about the opening of the Debrecen plant. The iX3 was the real star of the Munich show, and this car represents the new world with its new features. Regarding the Debrecen plant, it is already clear that the ramp-up will be much faster than originally planned, and there is enormous interest in the vehicles produced there.”

Cars with green license plates also need batteries

Péter Szijjártó also spoke about battery factories, which must adhere to very strict regulations in Hungary. Referring to a previous statement by Péter Magyar regarding Debrecen, the minister said:

“Criticizing the battery industry in Debrecen, a city that will become one of the centers of the new automotive era, is irrational.” He added that everyone wanted these factories; many countries competed to have them built within their borders, because this is the future, and batteries are needed for electric cars.

“If environmentalists are enthusiastic about green‑license‑plate cars, they must also recognize that batteries have to be manufactured for them. And Hungary has done a great deal to ensure that these factories come here rather than elsewhere,” reminded Péter Szijjártó.

The minister also spoke about digital civilian circles, as well as freedom of the press and defamation. He said that it is unacceptable for a journalist to make an allegation about someone and then hide behind freedom of the press if it turns out to be false. Allowing people to lie about others without consequences is unacceptable.

The UN General Assembly was also a topic of discussion. Europe has been pushed to the sidelines, and much work needs to be done to change this, said Péter Szijjártó, remarking that “President Trump is someone we can trust.”

“It is very important to do everything possible to ensure that mutual respect forms the basis of cooperation and that the world does not become divided into blocs. We must advocate for global cooperation based on mutual respect,” Péter Szijjártó stated.

Source and photo credit:dehir.hu