INNOVATION TRENDS AND

CHALLENGES AND COOPERATION

POSSIBILITIES WITH R&D IN
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Content:
Introduction 3
Methodology of the analysis 5
1. Major trends in automotive industry 7
2. Automotive industry in Project Partners´ countries/regions in SEE 26
3. Recommendations 98
Referencies 100

2
INTRODUCTION

Automotive Cluster – West Slovakia was the main initiator of project AUTOCLUSTERS in
program South East Europe (SEE). The main project idea was born based on long term
experiences of professional managers with the aim to create in SEE new area of cooperation
in automotive R&D (Research and Development). Importance of R&D and innovation and
education is well known and is great. This factor was the main driver for building up the
project. The project brings together Universities, R&D institutions, SMEs support facilities
from EU-15, NMS (New Member States) as well as IPA to prepare and create the first
automotive network in SEE. The second level clustering activities proposed by the project
are strictly oriented on the activities, which are improving the innovation capacities in the
region and improve technology and know-how transfer improving the innovation circle.

According to ACEA (European Automobiles´ Manufacturers Association,

http://www.acea.be/index.php/news/news_detail/automobile_assembly_engine_production_p
lants_in_europe/) information, in the countries of East Europe (BG-1, BIH-1, BY-3, CZ-11,
EE-1, HU-6, KZ-1, PL-16, RO-4, RS-1, RU-25, SI-1, SK-3, TR-19, UA-5, UZ-1) there are 99
automotive production and assembly plants and a lot of global suppliers plants and local
and regional production units of subsuppliers. This great potential brings a lot of great
opportunities for building and development of new business models, cooperations and
partherships not only between countries of East Europe but cooperation between East and
West Europe too. We in our project team suppose that this idea could increase R&D and
innovation potential of the whole Europe. We think that R&D and innovation potential of the
countries in SEE is not fully used. In this space, there are a lot of innovation and R&D
capacities, like: universities, laboratories, domestic R&D institutions and centres, local
engineering firms and technology centres of global automotive firms.

In the project, there is interesting combination of project partners: 2 partners from 2 Italy
regions (Lombardia and Trento), Hungary and 2 partners from Slovakia, Romania and
Bulgaria, and countries from Balkan area: Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia. Last partner is from
Austria and this partner has role like observer.

One of the main aim in the project is creating an automotive R&D Database. This database
consits of R&D capacities in project partners countries and regions with focus on automotive.
Based on this aim we have identified more than 200 R&D capacities (without Austrian R&D
capacities). It is great potential for building new dimension of cooperation and potential for
popularisation of R&D. We want to create strong automotive R&D and innovation region
of SEE countries. The main drivers for fulfil the vision, aims and objectives of the project
are:

- Global financial and economic crisis

- Structural changes in the automotive industry
- Strong focus on ecology – development of environmental technologies, development
of new types of cars (hybrids, electric cars), eco-innovation, cleaner production …
- Growing need for creating close collaborative automotive R&D in Europe
- Low cost production, low cost R&D, low cost cars, lighweight cars (development of
new materials, plastics, steel…)
- Fast growing competition from Asian countries
- Focus on process improvement and process innovation – lean production
- Climate changes and energy
- Globalisation

3
 - Safeguarding the future of production facilities
- Sustainable mobility and urbanisation
- Employment, health and safety
- New customer demands – more safety cars, more customer-oriented cars, urban city
cars, …

Study Innovation Trends and Challenges and Cooperation Possibilities with R&D in
Automotive Industry (next only “R&D Study”) is one the main project outcomes. R&D Study
is divided into 3 main chapters that could help to build and create automotive network in
SEE. In the first chapter we analysed the basic world automotive trends and orientation of
R&D in automotive industry. There are research findings about automotive R&D capacities in
Project Partners´ countries/regions (next only “PPs countries/regions”). Second part of the
R&D Study is focused on basic characteristics of automotive industry in PPs
countries/regions. With this part we can better understand of character of automotive industry
in SEE and orientation. Last chapter is oriented on setting up recommendations for
automotive industry in SEE, topics for educational seminars and presentations in the frame
of project and other results of the analysis of automotive industry.

In phase of preparation R&D Study, we have designed R&D Form as a tool for identification
and data mapping of R&D capacities. This form was distributed to various potential
organizations, which are focused on R&D activities in automotive industry. Another way of
identification and data mapping information of R&D capacities was internet intelligence
search. We have obtained information from web pages of R&D capacities in PPs
countries/regions. In identification phase, we were oriented mainly on university centres,
R&D organizations and institutions, OEMs development centres, global suppliers with own
technological centres, engineering services firms and others.

4
METHODOLOGY OF THE ANALYSIS

Methodology represents basic way and steps for creation of our analysis.

R&D capacities as well as car producers and sub-contractors in automotive industries have
to be invited into the process of data mapping (or identification). The major aim is to find in
the whole business communities the areas where the reasonable cooperation between sub-
contractors and universities or other relevant institutions is possible. This task has to be
performed in deep cooperation with car producers, who are the final users of this activity.
European policies and trends have to be taken into account as well.

Our plan in Work Package No.4 (next only “WP4”) is to analyse that innovation capacities in
various number of sub-contractors from different countries/regions of SEE as well as from
different fields of expertise and production. The goal is to identify strength and weaknesses
in their production cycle, as well how they are ready to cooperate with R&D plus universities.
The capability to support researchers, to produce the prototypes and finally to start
production will be part of analysis as well. The results should input to the projects they could
be financed at local level.

WP 4 is consisting from:
Activity 4.1:

analysis of the innovation capacities (analysis will consist information not only about
universities´, institutes´ R&D centres, laboratories, but SMEs centres and its R&D
departments, enterprise innovation centres and R&D capacities, R&D expenses,
product or process innovations, application into the praxis...),

study about Innovation trends and challenges and cooperation possibilities with R&D
for automotive industry,

database describing the R&D and innovation capacities potential in SEE (creating of
some type of networking based on R&D area, sustainability of database and whole
network in life).

Typology of activities for activity 4.1:

collecting, data mapping, identification, and processing information about R&D
capacities on local level (actual Technological development centres, SMEs centres,
Innovation centres, Engineering services centres, Centres of excellence, University
centres, Science and technology parks, Institutions of academy of science and other
types of centres wit focus on automotive),

sharing information and experiences with project partners,

creating of R&D database on project web page,

collecting and processing information about local automotive trends in the project
partners countries/regions and specific information about theory of R&D (types of
R&D centres, role of R&D centres),

processing R&D Study.

Managing activities:

the responsible Project Partner (PP) for this WP4 is Lead Partner (LP) – Automotive
Cluster – West Slovakia in Trnava, Slovakia,

the LP coordinates all activities in WP4 and collects all materials, documents and
processed information,

the LP will inform PPs about time schedule of the WP4,

the LP will lead communication with PPs,

5

every PP is responsible for collecting and processing all requested information
needed in WP 4 for creating analysis, R&D study and R&D database from its own
local region or country.

The main partial activities:

creating of R&D capacity classification for better identification of R&D capacities,

collecting information, data mapping of R&D capacities by common form,

contribution to the R&D study by the theory of R&D,

choosing 2 good practices about R&D capacity in the PPs country/region,

information letter for companies, car producers, sub-contractors, universities which
are interested in cooperation in our project and its benefits for the future.

The main outputs of the WP4:

study Innovation trends and challenges and cooperation possibilities with R&D for
automotive industry (1x) – „R&D Study“,

database: Innovation and R&D capacities in PPs´ countries/ regions of SEE (1x),

national events – educational seminars (24x) – every PP will responsible for
educational seminars in his country/region on local level.

Creating of recommendations for next development and building of cooperation

initiatives:

based on results of analysis of R&D capacities in PPs´ countries/ regions of SEE –
preparing recommendation

based or results of analysis of R&D capacities in PPs´ countries/ regions of SEE -
creation of ideas, inspirations for preparing projects in WP6

6
1. MAJOR TRENDS IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Automotive industry is a key industrial sector of the European economy. Its development has
growing tendency mainly in R&D activities, growing numbers of innovations and strong focus
on education. R&D is more and more the high competitive advantage not only for industrial
firms but for public and government sector too. R&D is one of the major characteristic
features of advanced and modern economy, country, innovative orientation and human
resources development. Automotive industry in Europe is characterized by:

the most importatnt employer in compare with other industrial sectors,

high automotive R&D expenditure per year (app. 20 bln.Eur),

the most importatnt export sector,

almost 300 automotive production and assembly plants in Europe.

In the world there are a lot of types of car producers. We can divide car producers into two
main groups:

global world car producers (Toyota, VW, GM, Ford, Honda, Nissan, PSA, Hyundai
and other)

local national car producers and special car producers (AC Cars, Koenigsegg,
Pininfarina, Lotus Cars...)

Subcategories of car producers:

car producers of luxury cars (Porsche, BMW, Rolls-Royce, Spyker, Aston Martin,
Jaguar, Bugatti, Bentley, Maserati, Daimler, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln, Lexus...)

bus producers (MAN, Neoplan, Scania, Volvo, Renault, ...)

car producers (passenger cars) - (VW, Toyota, Ford, GM, Honda, Daimler...)

electric car producers (Tesla Motors, Think Global, Nissan, Mitsubishi, BYD Auto,
Subaru, Toyota, BMW, VW, Daimler, Protoscar, Mindset...)

producers of army special cars

engine producers (AVL, Detroit Diesel, Yamaha Motor Company...)

race car producers (Formula F1 – BMW in motorsport, Honda Racing, McLaren,
Toyota Racing, ...)

holiday travel car producers (Coleman Company, Hymer, Westfalia...)

tractors producers (Ford, New Holland, MB Trac...)

trolley bus producers (Mercedes-Benz, Škoda, Solaris...)

truck producers (Iveco, MAN, Scania, Volvo...)

motorcycles producers (BMW Motorad, Honda, Suzuki, Yamanha, Harley-
Davidson...)

According to ACEA (European Automobiles´ Manufacturers Association) in Europe there

are 296 automotive production and assembly plants. Europe includes the EU27 plus a
number of neighbouring countries (Bosnia Herzegovina, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Norway,
Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan).

In the frame of project in PPs countries/regions there are 42 automotive production and
assembly plants (Tab. 1.1). Besides these plants we have identified next 12 local car
producers (Tab.1.2). List of automotive production and assembly platns are in tables below.
This amount of automotive plants together with suppliers’ plants gives to local R&D
capacities a great opportunity for creation of cooperation on projects in area of R&D.

7
 Tab.1.1: Plants location in PPs´ countries/regions
Plant Location Manufacturer Type produced Brand
Engine PC LCV CV Bus
Bulgaria – 1
Lovech x Great Wall Motors (from 2011)

Hungary – 6
Esztergom x Suzuki, Fiat, Opel

Györ x x Audi

Kaposvar x Nabi

Kecskemet x Mercedes-Benz (from 2012)

Szekesfehervar x Ikarus
(Budapest)
Szentgotthard x

Italy – 20
Bairo x Car design & body making for Mitsubishi,
Ford, Fiat Group, TATA

Bolzano x x Iveco defence vehicles

Brescia x Iveco trucks, firefighting vehicles

Cassino x Fiat, Lancia

(Frosinone)

Castenedolo x x Bremach
(Brescia)
Grugliasco x Chrysler, Jeep (from 2011)
(Torino)

Grugliasco x Car design & body making

(Torino)

Maranello x Ferrari

Melfi (Potenza) x Fiat

Mirafiori (Torino) x Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo

Modena x Maserati, Alfa Romeo sports cars

Modena x Pagani sprots cars

Piacenza x Astra (IVECO) special vehicles

8
Pomigliano x Alfa Romeo
d´Arco (Napoli)

Pontedera (Pisa) x Piaggio

San Giorgio x Car design & body making, assembly for

Canavese FIAT, electric cars (JV PSA-BOLLORE)

Sant´Agata x Lamborghini
Bolognese

Suzzara x Iveco

Termini Imprese x Lancia (until 2011)

(Palermo)

Val di Sangro x Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen at SEVEL plant

Romania – 4
Brasov x x x Roman

Campulung x Aro

Colibasi (Pitesti) x x x Dacia

Craiova x x Ford

Serbia – 1
Kragujevac x x Zastava, Fiat, Ivecop (JV ZASTAVA-
FIAT), Opel

Slovenia – 1
Novo Mesto x Renault

Slovakia – 3
Bratislava x Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Skoda

Trnava x Peugeot, Citroen

Žilina x Kia

Austria – 6
Aspern x

9
Graz x Mercedes-Benz (until 2015), Aston
Martin (from 2009), Peugeot, Mini,
Chrysler & Jeep (until mid-2010)

Graz x Magirus firefighting vehicles (IVECO)

Steyr x x BMW

Steyr x MAN

Vienna x MAN

Source: www.acea.be
PC – passenger cars, LCV – Light Commercial Vehicles + SUVs/Minibuses/Coaches< 3,5t, CV – Medium & Heavy Commercial
Vehicles > 3,5t

Tab.1.2: Local car producers plants

Plant Manufacturer Type produced Brand
Location Engine PC LCV CV Bus
Bulgaria – 2
Stara Zagora x Belchev Motors – the first electric car
producer in Bulgaria, www.bgvolt.com
Plovdiv x Balcancar Record – product range
includes electric forklift trucks, diesel and
LPG engine-powered industrial trucks,
tow tractors of the RECORD family,
www.balcancar-record.com
Slovakia – 2
Bratislava x K-1 ENGINEERING s.r.o. - is the only
Slovak car producer, which deals with
small batch production “street” sports
cars K-1 ATTACK ROADSTER and a
special race cars K-1 ATTACK RACING.
www.k-1attack.com
Prešov x Troliga Bus, www.troligabus.sk

Serbia – 4
Sombor x Zastava special vehicles, www.zastava-
kamioni.co.rs

Priboj x x FAP (Fabrika automobila Priboj)

www.fap.co.rs
Belgrade x Ikarbus A.D. – www.ikarbus.rs

Novi Sad x Neobus ad, Novi Sad Bus Factory –

www.neobus.rs
Croatia – 1
Zagreb x x DOK-ING is a large designer and
producer of unmanned multi-purpose
robotic vehicles. Next activity is R&D in
electric city cars. http://dok-ing.hr
Romania – 1
Craiova S.C. Automobile Craiova S.A., owner is
Ford Motor Company – www.acsa.ro
Slovenia – 2
Maribor x Tovarna avtomobilov Maribor –
www.tvm.si
Novo mesto x Adria Mobil - European manufacturers
of caravans, mobile houses and
motorhomes – www.adria-mobil.com

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According to OICA (Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers) car production volume in
PPs countries in 2008 was 2 400 384 cars. It is 3.4% share of worldwide production. This
potential is creating a lot of opportunities for building up new R&D and innovation capacities,
testing laboratories, institutes with focus on new product, new technologies and process
improvement in connection with ecological aspects. Car production by country 2008 is in Tab
1.3.

Tab.1.3: Car Production by Country 2008

COUNTRY CARS COMMERCIAL VEHICLES TOTAL % CHANGE

Argentina 399,577 197,509 597,086 9.6%

Australia 285,590 43,966 329,556 -1.5%
Austria 125,436 25,441 150,877 -33.8%
Belgium 680,131 44,367 724,498 -13.2%
Brazil 2,561,496 658,979 3,220,475 8.2%
Canada 1,195,436 882,153 2,077,589 -19.4%
China 6,737,745 2,607,356 9,345,101 5.2%
Czech Rep. 933,312 12,510 945,822 0.9%
Egypt 72,485 42,297 114,782 9.9%
Finland 18,000 376 18,376 -24.4%
France 2,145,935 423,043 2,568,978 -14.8%
Germany 5,526,882 513,700 6,040,582 -2.8%
Hungary 342,359 3,696 346,055 18.5%
India 1,829,677 484,985 2,314,662 2.7%
Indonesia 431,423 169,421 600,844 46.0%
Iran 940,870 110,560 1,051,430 5.4%
Italy 659,221 364,553 1,023,774 -20.3%
Japan 9,916,149 1,647,480 11,563,629 -0.3%
Malaysia 419,963 110,847 530,810 20.2%
Mexico 1,241,288 949,942 2,191,230 4.6%
Netherlands 59,223 73,271 132,494 -4.4%
Poland 840,000 110,908 950,908 20.0%
Portugal 132,242 42,913 175,155 -0.6%
Romania 231,056 14,252 245,308 1.5%
Russia 1,469,429 320,872 1,790,301 7.8%
Serbia 9,818 1,810 11,628 17.4%
Slovakia 575,776 0 575,776 0.8%
Slovenia 180,233 17,610 197,843 -0.3%
South Africa 321,124 241,841 562,965 5.3%
South Korea 3,450,478 356,204 3,806,682 -6.8%
Spain 1,943,049 598,595 2,541,644 -12.0%
Sweden 252,287 56,747 309,034 -15.6%
Taiwan 138,709 44,260 182,969 -35.4%
Thailand 401,309 992,433 1,393,742 8.3%
Turkey 621,567 525,543 1,147,110 4.3%
Ukraine 400,799 22,328 423,127 5.1%
UK 1,446,619 202,896 1,649,515 -5.8%
USA 3,776,358 4,928,881 8,705,239 -19.3%
Uzbekistan 195,038 13,000 208,038 12.5%
Supplementary 332,917 170,993 503,910 -15.8%
Total 52,637,206 17,889,325 70,526,531 -3.7%
Source: www.oica.net

Analysis of the world automotive trends and challenges was based on project activities with
focus on R&D capacities and characteristics of automotive industry in PPs countries/regions
and based on information from publications of prestigious world firms. Choosen findings from
publications are summarized in table below (Tab.1.4).

11
 Tab.1.4: Automotive Trends
PUBLICATION AUTOMOTIVE TRENDS

KPMG: New business segments for the automotive industry. Growing need to diversificate business into
AutomotiveNew, 2009 new segments like:
- solar and wind turbines designed to produce electric power, photovoltaic production,
- aerospace industry,
- rail transport and shipping,
- medical technology,
- development of communications infrastructure with broadband cables and fibreoptic
networks,
- development of new drive systems in cars – electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars and others.
Deloitte: A new area. New areas of trends in automotive:
Accelerating toward - era of „conscious consumption“ will emerge,
2020 – An automotive - more cost conscious,
industry transformed, - massive shift in the competitive landscape will see China, India,
2009 - accelerated deep strucural changes in automotive industry,
- emergence of new business models characterized by alliances with players from other
industries to support development of new technologies,
- low cost of labour in emerging markets,
- sources of new customers, new demands in the global markets,
- developing supplier networks (low-cost production and design),
- reduction of platforms – remain cost competitive – importance of global platforms –
growth of car volume per platform,
- regional design centres will have to be globally networked,
- more attention to regional customer demand.

Global customer trends:

1. Conscious consumption – growing emphasis on value
- value-oriented car customers
- value and safety – important features
2. Opportunities for growth in emerging markets in luxury cars segment
3. Chalenges for OEMs is to achieve manufacturing efficiencies with alternative powertrain
by briging down the cost of batteries
4. Safety – primary customer need
- improving crash safety standards
- other safety-related features
5. Networked cars – development of electronics industry (technology ecosystem,
navigation, communiction, software systems, safety systems...)
6. Internet as a sales channel for cars
7. New demands for cars
- older consumers – human factors will influence on car design
- demographic trend – urbanization – smaller and more fuel-efficient cars
Booz & Company: Markets are divided into:
The Best Years of the 1. Rapidly growth in emerging economies – BRIC + Malaysia, Argentina, Mexico, Turkey,
Auto Industry Are Still Thailand, Iran and Indonesia
to Come, 2009 2. Lower-growth economies – about 100 nations
3. The mature economies

Conditions:
- differencies between industrialized (developed) countries and BRIC and other countries,
- different population densities, geographics, natural resources, diverse priorities, public
transportation, roadways, energy infrastructure,
- wider range of consumers,
- car producers will need to more incorporate suppliers, assemblers, distributors
from around the world into their value chains and design products and processes,
- car producers will need to develop speedier innovations, with locally inspired solutions
to local problems.

Types of cars:
- cars for intracity travel, moving people short distances (e-cars),
- cars that fill the need for regional travel (suburban or semi-rural areas), distance are
longer, speeds are higher – (hybrid cars),
- cars for long distance travel – advanced diesel-fueled cars.

Car production:
- change the company´s own mission from selling cars to solving mobility problems,
- companies (may also) have to adapt to cultural differences,
- thinking freshly about the value chain – to find the best local approaches, car producers
must know conditions across the globe – it means developing a sophisticated
international value chain (in areas: innovaton, supplier base, assembly, distribution,

12
 sales and marketing.
IBM: Automotive Basic trends:
2020. Clarify beyond - increasing challenges in consumer demand: for information, enviro responsibility, safety,
the chaos, 2008 entertainment, economy,
- technology development – more intelligent cars,
- globalization,
- integration,
- collaboration.

Anticipated changes: technology progress, sustainability concerns, corporate social responsibility,

and personal mobility. The 5 dimensions of differentiation
Sophisticated consumer:
- future top buying criteria: fuel efficiency, eco-friendly cars, traffic congestion,
personalization, safety, alternative transportation modes, lifetime cost of ownership.

The intelligent car:

- electronics systems,
- greater assistance in navigation,
- information about car,
- connectivity and lifestyle trends,
- Level of innovation by 2020:
- high development of software and electronics systems,
- engine and auxilliary systems,
- powertrain,
- green cars (hybrids),
- connected cars (networked cars) – vehicle 2 vehicle (V2V), vehicle 2 infrastructure
(V2I), vehicle 2 homes, business, other (V2x)

Dynamic operations:
- growth strategies,
- multiplex workforce – ability to work across diverse cultures, conversant in multiple
languages,
- effective working virtually,
- building leadership talent,
- fostering a culture that supports learning and development,
- knowledge transfer to inexperienced employees,
- proactive flexibility in operations and processes (product development, manufacturing)

The integrated enterprise:

- interdependent ecosystem,
- close collaboration,
- government, transportation, consumer electronics, energy, other industries (software,
financial services...), communities, geographies, social networks, global consumers, other
ecosystems.
VDA: Annual Report Trends:
2009 - innovation and investment in R&D provide foundations for a successful future,
- in 2008, German manufacturers and suppliers invested a total 18,9 bln EUR in R&D and
app. 85.000 people in R&D,
- improving cost structures.

Long term guarantors of success:

- innovation, technological progress and strong brands,
- efficiency and productivity,
- qualified and motivated employees,
- environmental engineering,
- demand for energy-efficient cars will rise,
- „greenovation“,
- cost-intensive R&D work (luxury car segment),
- continuous improving the competitiveness,
- cost mix,
- more cooperation between individual manufacturers,
- suppliers are now responsible for as much as 75 % of value added in the industry
- need for quality networks of subcontractors and other business partners,
- suppliers will become more and more integrated in development of new
technologies, systems and vehicles,
- value added chain will itself become more complex due to the increasing complexity
of vehicles,
- success is based on innovation strategy and innovation management,
- increasing model variety,
- more vehicle customisation,
- shorter innovation cycles,

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 - exceptional importance of innovation capacities,
- opportunities for innovation growth in electronics and mechatronics sectors,
- supplier-customer relationship is important for innovation drive,
- long-term developments focused on ecology,
- innovative suppliers – primary aims: reducing the consumption and harmful emissions
of fossil fuels, new engine generations, lightweight construction, optimised gears, carbon-
particulate filters, semi and full hybrid vehicles.
Oliver Wyman: Car Trends in automotive sector:
Innovation 2015, - improving efficiency in all R&D processes,
study 2007 - more integration of engineering service companies,
- concentration process in the supplier sector will improve innovative strenght and
networking opportunities with other partners.

Recommendations for innovative management by Oliver Wyman:

- increase customer orientation and marketing focus on R&D,
- generate a diverse innovation product & service portfolio,
- improve R&D effectiveness and efficiency, reduce innovation risks,
- enhance the innovation culture and organization.

Cost innovation will become a major R&D focus driving the industry beyond 2015:
- innovation focus widens from incremental improvements to system innovations (from
single innovations to system innovations)
- electric and electronics – the most important area for automotive innovations,
- the single most important focus of the industry lies in: emissions, fuel efficiency, weight,
new powertrain concepts,
- the needs to know more about customer requirements and make adequate attention to
innovation marketing,
- flexible manufacturing concepts,
- R&D off-shoring activities: lower engineering costs, module approaches, new design and
test-bed software (virtual tests) for developing automotive components and parts,
- areas which could radically decrease costs: developing new materials (lightweight
cars), modules (low-cost module design), processes (new flexible car assembly
concepts, optimalization of assembly, manufacturing and R&D),
- cost and process specialist (KIA, DACIA) – innovation based on new manufacturung
processes, low-cost products,
- focus on process innovation, network building, modularization, cost-oriented innovations
(VW, Toyota),
- functional process or product optimization, cooperation networks, open interfaces (ZF-
system connector),
- incremental process innovation, process focus, open to cooperations (ElringKlinger-
process champion).

Strategic partners:
- R&D networks are becoming a crucial success factor (innovation networks),
- collaboration supplier-supplier and supplier-R&D institutions will increase
(collaborative innovation culture),
- innovation management must adapt according to customer requirements and future
market trends (customer-oriented innovation).

Building R&D centres focused on process iprovement close to local production and assemly
plants will increase.
Shell Passenger Car - future of mobility – Trend Scenario (Automobile Adaptation): 2020 – 5.5% hybrid,
Scenarios up to 2030 2025:11%hybrid cars, 2030: 20% hybrid, 2.5% electric, 4% other. Alternative Scenario (Auto-
Mobility in Transition): 2015: 6.7%hybrids, 2020: 17.4% hybrid, 3.3% electric, 2025: 32.5 hybrid,
6% electric, 4.3% others, 2030: 50%hybrid, 10% electric, 5.5% others.

Results from the data mapping process and identification of R&D capacities in
SEE

We consider that the most important trends in the actual situation in automotive industry are:

cost reduction – companies are looking for new locations for doing business with
lower costs – there is opportunity for countries of SEE mainly in R&D area, possibility
for realization of innovation at lower costs,

accelerating innovation cycles – companies have to bring new innovations in
shorter times – opportunity for SEE countries for doing process improvement in

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 manufacturing, innovation process etc., effective using of R&D capacities, buidling
R&D and innovation capacities with high productivity,

development new technologies and products – mainly in environmental area -
green innovations, new materials research, electronics, safety, new green cars
(hybrids cars, electric cars,)

building of collaborative networks and clusters – reinforce cooperation between
universities and industrial firms based on project cooperation, reinforce cooperation
between countries in the whole Europe, iniciatives of EUCAR: Collaborative
Automotive R&D,

energy and environment – renewable energy sources, research in alternative fuels,
development of environemntal technologies, future scenarios in energetics.

Based on data mapping and identification of R&D capacities in PPs´ countries/regions in

SEE we can set up results:

we identified 212 R&D capacities from October 2009 to half of February 2010,

the most identified R&D capacities are in Slovenia (85), followed by Slovakia (36),
Croatia (24) and Hungaria (20).

based on results from analysis of automotive trends and information from data
mapping and identification we have created 8 basic types of R&D capacities:

 Science and Technology Park

 University Center – working places and laboratories at univeristies
 Centre of Excellence – specialization of the center
 Technological Development Center – private centres which are operating
near to production or assembly capacities mainly for support of production,
improving and innovation of processes, product development and testing
activities
 Research Center/Institutions – this type of centres is consisted mainly by
local domestic centres or institutions which are focused on basic and applied
research
 Engineering Services Center – centres focused on engineering,
construction, designing services from early phase to virtual manufacturing
phase, vehicle development services and prototyping
 Testing Center – centres with focus on testing for exmple: durability tests,
corrosion tests, simulation tests, metrology tests and other
 Innovation Center – centres focused on new innovative solutions of products,
production processes, systems, designing of testing laboratories, plant
layouts, creating analytical documents, innovation intelligence.

by the type of centre, we identified that the Technological development centres

have the most presence in SEE countries (107 centres) followed by University
centres (33), Research centres/institutions (25), Engineering services centres (24),
Centres of Excellence (8), Innovation Centres (8), Testing Centres (4) and Science-
Technology parks (3),

we identified that in Slovakia there are 9 Technological Development Centres, 8
Research Center/Institutions, Centres of Excellence (7).

we identified that in 2 Italian regions (Lombardia, Trento) there are 6 Research
Centres/Institutions and 3 University centres,

in Hungary there are mainly Technological Development Centres (13), University
centres (3), Engineering Services Centres (3).

15

in Slovenia there are Technological Development Centres (63), followed by
Engineering services centres (8) and university centres (6),

in Romania there are mainly Technological Development Centres (6),

in Bulgaria there are mainly Technological Development Centres (10), University
centres (13)

in Croatia and Serbia there are the most University centres (13) resp. (5)

by the industry sector orientation, we have identified 45 centres in group

electronics and electrotechnical engineering, hydraulics and pneumatics, 40 centres
in group manufacturing technologies, mechanical engineering and mechatronics, 33
centres in group Material research and chemistry, 31 centres in group vehicle design,
product development & prototyping,

in Slovakia we have identified 8 centres in group Material research and chemistry, 7
centres in group manufacturing technologies, mechanical engineering and
mechatronics and 7 centres in group vehicle design, product development &
prototyping

in 2 Italy regions, there are centres with focus on Testing and analysis (5), material
research and chemistry (3), ICT and Intelligence Systems (3),

in Hungary there are centres in group Electronics and electrotechnical engineering,
hydraulics and pneumatics (6), Chassis, brake systems, steering system, car body
parts (5) and Vehicle Development, Product Development and Protoytoping (4),

in Slovenia

in Romania - Electronics and Electrotechnical Engineering, Hydraulics and
Pneumatics (6) and Vehicle Development, Product Development and Protoytoping
(5),

in Bulgaria - Electronics and Electrotechnical Engineering, Hydraulics and
Pneumatics (8),

in Croatia - Manufacturing Technologies and Mechanical Engineering and
Mechatronics (9), Material Research and Chemistry (5),

in Serbia - Manufacturing Technologies and Mechanical Engineering and
Mechatronics (5)

by the ownership, the most R&D capacities are in Business enterprise sector (143),
Higher education sector (44), Government sector (21).

in Slovakia - Business enterprise sector (18), Higher education sector (9),
Government sector (9),

in 2 Italy regions (Lombardia, Trento) - Business enterprise sector (5), Higher
education sector (3), Government sector (3),

Hungary - Business enterprise sector (16), Higher education sector (3), Government
sector (1),

Slovenia – Business enterprise sector (75), Higher education sector (6), government
sector (3)

Romania - Business enterprise sector (10), Higher education sector (3), Government
sector (3),

Bulgaria - Business enterprise sector (10),

Croatia - Higher education sector (14), Business enterprise sector (8),Government
sector (2),

Serbia - Higher education sector (6), Business enterprise sector (1).

On the next pictures (graphs) we can see detailed facts about R&D capacities in PPs´
countries/regions in SEE. In the project Autoclusters we identified the most R&D capacities in

16
Slovenia (85), Slovakia (36) and Croatia (24). In case of Italy, there were identified R&D
capacities only in 2 eligible regions in SEE.

R&D capacities

90 85
80
70
60
50
40 36
30 24
20
20 14 16
10 7
10
0
Slovakia Italian 2 Hungaria Slovenia Romania Bulgaria Croatia Serbia
regions

Pic. 1.1: R&D capacities

The important roles of future R&D activities of SEE R&D capacities will be mainly in
combinations of cooperation between Technological development centres and University
centres and local Research centres/institutes. Research findings of our analysis told us that
Engineering services centres are centres with good potential for fast growth in the future.
Basic focus of this type of centres will be mainly on vehicle development or car components
development, prototyping and design. University centres and local research institutions have
the high potential for building effective cooperation in automotive R&D area between west
European and SEE countries. We suppose that there is very small percentage of cooperation
with private R&D centres (Technological development centres).

Summary R&D centres by type in SEE

120 107
100
80
60
33
40 25 24
20 3 8 4 8
0
Technological
Excellence

Engineering

Innovation
Testing center
University
Science and

center/institute
development
Technology

Center of

services
center

center
Research

center
centre
Park

Pic. 1.2: Summary R&D centres by type in SEE

17
 R&D Capacities by type in partners countries/regions
70
63

60

50

40

30

20
13 13
9 10
10 7 86 6 6
8
6
4 3 4 5
22 13 2 11 3 3 21 3 3 43
11 1 1 1 1 1
0
SK IT (2 HU SI RO BG CRO SRB
regions)
Science and Technology Park University center
Center of Excellence Technological development centre
Research center/institute Engineering services center
Testing center Innovation center

Pic. 1.3: R&D capacities by type in partners coutries / regions

Summary - R&D capacities by industry sector orientation

50 45
45 40
40 33
35 31
30
25 18
20 13 15
15
10 5 3 4 4
5 1
0
Chassis, brake systems,
Safety

Testing and analysis

Interior components
All

technologies

Hydraulics&Pneumatics

Vehicle Design, Product

Material Research and

Engine and Powertrain

Environmetal
Green Tech,

Mnfg.Technologies,
ICT, car intelligent

Mech.Engineering,

steering system, car

Mechatronics

development
Electrotechnics,
Electronics and

Development &
systems

body parts

Prototyping
Chemistry

Develop.

Pic. 1.4: Summary - R&D capacities by industry sector orientation

18
 R&D capacities by industry sector orientation in partners countries/regions

20
All

18 Green Tech, Environmetal

technologies
ICT, car intelligent systems
16
Safety

14 Electronics and Electrotechnics,

Hydraulics&Pneumatics
Material Research and Chemistry
12
Mnfg.Technologies,
Mech.Engineering, Mechatronics
10 Engine and Pow ertrain Develop.

Chassis, brake systems, steering

8 system, car body parts
Vehicle Design, Product
Development & Prototyping
6 Testing and analysis

Interior components development

4

0
SK IT (2 HU SI RO BG CRO SRB
regions)

Pic. 1.5: R&D capacities by industry sector in partners coutries/regions

Summary - R&D capacities by ownership

160 143
140
120
100
80
60 44
40 21
20 2 2
0
Public/private Business Government Private non- Higher
sector enterprise sector profit sector education
sector sector

Pic. 1.6: Summary-R&D capacities by ownership

19
 R&D capacities by sector in partners countries/regions

80 75
Public/private sector
70
60 Business enterprise
50 sector
40 Government sector
30
18 16 Private non-profit
20 14
9 9 10 10 8 sector
10 25313 1 3 316 3 3 2 1
6
Higher education
0 sector

B
O
)

SI

BG
SK

SR
R
H

R
on

C
gi
re
(2
IT

Pic. 1.7: R&D capacities by sector in partners countries/regions

We have identified more than 200 R&D capacities in PPs countries/regions of SEE. List of
R&D capacities is on tables below:

Tab.1.5: Automotive R&D capacities in Slovakia

No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - SLOVAKIA Web page
1. Johnson Controls Engineering Centre in Trenčín www.jci.com
2. LEONI Autokabel Slowakia R&D Center in Trenčín www.leoni.com
3. Konštrukta-Industry, a.s. R&D Center in Trenčín www.kotaind.sk
4. ON Semiconductor Slovakia, Bratislava Development Center in Bratislava www.onsemi.com
5. CEIT - Central European Institute of Technology in Žilina www.ceit.eu.sk
6. Institute of Technology of Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava www.ti.sav.sk
7. First Welding Company, Inc. In Bratislava www.pzvar.sk
8. Transport Research Institute, Inc. In Žilina www.vud.sk
9. Vývoj Martin, a.s. in Martin www.vyvoj.sk
10. Slovak Productivity Center (SLCP) in Žilina www.slcp.sk
11. Centre of Information and Communication Technologies for Knowledge Systems in Košice www.cna.sk
12. Laboratory of Automotive Electronics in (LAE) in Košice www.fei.tuke.sk
13. Innovation Center of Automotive Industry (ICAV) in Košice http://web.tuke.sk/sjf-icav/
14. Centre of Excellence: Centre for Materials, Layers and Systems for the Extreme Condition www.machina.sk
Applications in Bratislava
15. Centre of Excellence in Nano-/Micro-electronic, Optoelectronic and Sensoric Technologies www.fei.stuba.sk
in Bratislava
16. National Centre of Excellence in Renewable Resources Research and Application in www.nc-oze.stuba.sk
Bratislava
17. Centre of Excellence in SMART Technologies, Systems and Services in Bratislava www.fiit.stuba.sk
18. Centre of Excellence in 5-axis Machining in Trnava www.mtf.stuba.sk
19. Centre of Excellence: Centre for Development and Application of Progressive Diagnostic www.mtf.stuba.sk
Methods in Processing of Metal and Non-metal Materials in Trnava
20. KraussMaffei Engineering Center in Žilina www.kraussmaffei.com
21. EDAG Slovakia, s.r.o. (Engineering Services) in Bratislava www.edag.de
22. Rücker SR, s.r.o.(Engineering Services) in Bratislava www.ruecker.de
23. U.S. Steel Košice – Labortest, s.r.o. in Košice www.usske.sk/labortest/
24. Continental Automotive Systems Slovakia, s.r.o. (R&D Center) in Zvolen www.conti-online.com
25. Knott, s.r.o. (Testing Center) in Modra www.knott.sk
26. Zeleziarne Podbrezova R&D Center in Podbrezova www.zelpo.sk
27. Karmann Engineering Services, s.r.o. in Trenčín www.ces-engineering.de
28. TECHNODAT, CAE - systémy, s.r.o. (Engineering Services) in Trenčín www.technodat.sk
29. Institute of Materials & Machine Mechanics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in www.umms.sav.sk
Bratislava
30. VÚSAPL, a.s. in Nitra www.vusapl.sk
31. DCA Engineering s.r.o in Dubnica nad Váhom www.dupres-group.com

20
32. IPM Engineering, s.r.o. in Zvolen www.ipmeng.sk
33. Institute of Materials Research of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Košice www.imr.saske.sk
34. Vedecko-technologický park Žilina (Science and Technology Park in Žilina) www.vtpzilina.sk
35. Elastogran, s.r.o. in Malacky www.elastogran.sk
36. Robotec, s.r.o. in Sučany www.robotec.sk

Tab.1.6: Automotive R&D capacities in Italy regions

No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY – ITALY (REGIONS: LOMBARDIA and TRENTO) Web page
1. CRF - Centro Ricerche Fiat in Orbassano www.crf.it
2. CRP - Centro Ricerche Plast-Optica S.p.A. in Amaro www.crpo.it
3. CSI S.p.A. in Bollate www.csi-spa.com
4. C.S.M.T. Gestione S.c.a.r.l. in Brescia www.csmt.it
5. Kilometro Rosso Science Park in Bergamo www.kilometrorosso.it
6. Laboratory for the Safety of Transport - La.S.T. www.aero.polimi.it
(Politecnico di Milano) in Milano
7. SINTESI A.B. (Societa Innovazione Tecnologica e Sviluppo Industriale) in Milano www.sintesiab.it
8. Department of Mechanics of the Politecnico di Milano in Milano
www.mecc.polimi.it
9. CREATE-NET in Trento www.create-net.org
10. Centro Studi sui Sistemi di Trasporto S.p.A. in Orbassano www.csstspa.it
11. Dipartimento di Ingegneria e Scienza dell'Informazione (DISI), University of Trento in Povo www.dit.unitn.it
12. Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) Center for Information Technology (IRST) in Trento www.fbk.eu
13. Friuli Innovazione in Udine www.friulinnovazione.it
14. CNR – ISMN Institute of Nanostructured Materials in Roma www.ismn.cnr.it

Tab.1.7: Automotive R&D capacities in Hungaria

No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - HUNGARY WEB PAGE
1. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) http://eit.europa.eu/
2. Advanced Vehicles and Vehicle Control Knowledge Centre, Budapest University of http://portal.bme.hu
technology and Economics www.ejjt.bme.hu
3. Regional University Knowledge Centre for the Vehicle Industry, University of Gyır http://info.sze.hu/
http://jret.sze.hu/
4. College of Dunaújváros, Department of Mechanics and Mechatronics http://portal.duf.hu/
5. Audi Hungaria Motor Kft. – Gyır www.audi.com
www.audi.hu
6. AVL – Budapest www.avl.com
7. Bosch (Robert Bosch Power Tool Kft.) – Miskolc www.bosch.hu
8. Bosch (Robert Bosch Power Tool Kft.) – Budapest www.bosch.hu
9. Continental Teves – Veszprém www.conti-online.com
10. DENSO Manufacturing Hungary Ltd. – Székesfehérvár www.denso-europe.com
11. DHS Draexlmaier – Érd www.draexlmaier.de
12. EDAG – Gyır www.edag.de
13. GE HUNGARY Zrt. - GE LIGHTING & GE POWER PROTECTION - Budapest www.ge.com
14. Knorr-Bremse Hungária Kft. – Budapest www.knorr-bremse.hu
15. Magna-Steyr – Gyır www.magnasteyr.com
16. Continental Budapest Temic Hungary Kft. – Budapest www.conti-online.com
17. Semcon Kft. – Budapest www.semcon.com
18. ThyssenKrupp Presta Hungary Kft.– Budapest www.thyssenkrupp-
presta.hu
www.thyssenkrupp.com
19. Visteon Hungary Kft. – Székesfehérvár www.visteon.com
20. W.E.T. Automotive Systems Magyarország Kft.– Pilisszentiván www.wet.de

Tab.1.8: Automotive R&D capacities in Slovenia

No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - SLOVENIA Web page

1. University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering www.fs.uni-lj.si

2. University of Maribor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering www.fs.uni-mb.si
3. University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science www.feri.uni-lj.si
4. Primorska Institute for Natural Sciences and Technology www.pint.upr.si
5. University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering www.ntf.uni-lj.si
6. University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering www.fe.uni-lj.si

21
7. RTC - Razvojno tehnološki center www.rtc.si
8. TECOS - Slovenian Tool and Die Development Centre
www.tecos.si
9. Orodjarna & inženiring ALBA orodjarstvo, inženiring in proizvodnja d.o.o. www.albatools.com
10. Alpineon d.o.o. www.alpineon.com
11. ŠUMER d.o.o. www.sumer.si
12.. C 3 M d.o.o. www.c3m.si
13. Cosylab d.d. www.cosylab.com
14. Em.tronic d.o.o. www.em-tronic.si
15. Grammer Automotive Slovenija, d.o.o. www.grammer.com
16. HIPOT - RR raziskave in razvoj tehnologij in sistemov, d.o.o. www.hipot.si
17. Isokon, d. o. o. www.isokon.si
18. RTI d.o.o. www.rti.si
19. Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute www.zag.si
20. Kopur, d.o.o. www.kopur.si
21. KOLEKTOR Nanotesla Institut www.nanotesla.si
22. J. Stefan Institute www.ijs.si
23. TECES www.teces.si
24. SIBO Group www.sibo-group.eu
25. Bosio d.o.o. www.bosio.si
26. AGIS ZAVORE D.D. www.agis-zavore.si
27. FLUID d.o.o. Batuje www.fluid.si
28. ELAPHE d.o.o. www.elaphe.si
29. INEA d.o.o. www.inea.si
30. Sistemska technika d.o.o. www.st-ravne.si
31. Telargo d.o.o. www.telargo.si
32. VILPO d.o.o. www.vilpo.si
33. AKA PCB d.o.o. Lesce www.aka-pcb.si
34. ALPMETAL & CO d.o.o. www.alpmetal.si
35. AREX d.o.o. www.arex.si
36. CAT CAM Lab d.o.o. www.cadcam-
group.eu/el/slo/home.html
37. CIMOS d.d. www.cimos.eu
38. Difa, d.o.o. www.difa.si
39. Domel, d.d. www.domel.si
40. ELVEZ d.o.o. www.elvez.si
41. EMO Orodjarna, d.o.o. www.emo-orodjarna.si
42. EMO - TECH d.o.o. ŠEMPETER
43. ETI GUM d.o.o. www.etigum.si
44. GORENJE ORODJARNA d.o.o. www.gorenje-orodjarna.si
45. HELLA SATURNUS SLOVENIJA d.o.o. www.hella-saturnus.si
46. HELIOS TBLUS Količevo d.o.o. www.helios.si
HIDRIA AET d.o.o.
47. www.hidria.com
HIDRIA ROTOMATIKA, d.o.o.
48. Iskra Avtoelektrika, d.d. www.iskra-ae.com
49. ISKRA EMS d.o.o. www.iskra-ems.si
50. Iskra ISD d.o.o. www.iskra-isd.si
51. Iskra Mehanizmi, d.d. www.iskra-mehanizmi.si
52. Iskra TELA d.d. www.iskra-tela.si
53. JOHNSON CONTROLS - NTU d.o.o. www.jci.com
54. KGL d.o.o. www.kgl.si
55. KOVINOPLASTIKA LOŽ, d.d. www.kovinoplastika.si
56. KOLEKTOR LIV d.o.o. www.liv.si
57. MARIBORSKA LIVARNA MARIBOR d.d. www.mlm-mb.si
58. MAGNETI Ljubljana d.d. www.magneti.si
59. MOTOMAN ROBOTEC d.o.o. www.motomanrobotec.si
60. PLAMA - PUR d.d. www.plama-pur.si
61. Plamtex d.o.o. www.plamtex.si
62. Polycom, d.o.o. www.polycom.si
63. PRESEK d.o.o. www.tom.si/presek
64. PREVENT GLOBAL d.d. www.prevent.si
65. RESISTEC UPR,d.o.o. & Co.k.d. www.resistec.si

22
66. RIKO d.o.o. www.rikogroup.com
67. SECA PLAST d.o.o. www.secaplast.si
68. SEP, d.o.o. www.sep.si
69. SILIKO d.o.o. www.siliko.net
70. Štore Steel d.o.o. www.store-steel.si
71. TAB d.d. www.tab.si
72. TALUM d.d. Kidričevo www.talum.si
73. TBP, d.d. www.tbp.si
74. TCG UNITECH Lth-ol d.o.o. www.tcg-group.eu
75. Tesnila GK d.o.o. www.tesnila-gk.si
www.tevevarnost-
76. Teve varnost elektronika d.o.o. Kisovec
elektronika.si
77. TKG IN PROIZVODNJA VIJAKOV d.o.o. www.tkg.si
78. TPV d.d. www.tpv.si
79. TREVES d.o.o.
80. TT Okroglica, d.d. www.ttokroglica.si
81. TVM, d.o.o. www.tvm.si
82. UNIOR d.d. www.unior.si
83. Var d.o.o. www.var.si
84. VARKAR d.o.o. www.varnost.si/proizvodnja
VEYANCE TECHNOLOGIES EUROPE, DRUŽBA ZA PROIZVODNJO GUMENIH
85. www.goodyear.com
TEHNIČNIH IZDELKOV, d.o.o.

Tab.1.9: Automotive R&D capacities in Romania

No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - ROMANIA Web page
1. www.qualindser.ro
Qualindser Center (Quality Management Laboratory)
www.ee.tuiasi.ro
2. Hydraulic & Pneumatic Research National Institute www.ihp.ro
3. National Institute of Research and Development for Mechatronics and Measurement www.incdmtm.ro
Technique (INCDMTM)
4. Electrical Machines for Intelligent Systems and Automation (MESIA) www.tuiasi.ro/facultati/eth/
5. http://iota.ee.tuiasi.ro/~metr
Metrology and measurement systems (METROS)
os/
6. Proto Technology www.prototechnology.ro
7. Renault Technologie Roumanie (RTR) www.renault.com
8. Renault Design Central Europe (RDCE) www.renault.com
9. Autoliv Engineering Center Timisoara www.autoliv.com
10. Continental Automotive R&D Centres in Iasi, in Sibiu, in Timisoara www.conti-online.com
11. Infineon Technologies Romania www.infineon.com
12. Yazaki Technology R&D Center Timisoara www.yazaki-europe.com
13. VORTEX Design www.vortexdesign.com.ro
14. Caelynx Europe SRL www.caelynx.com
15. INAS S.A. www.inas.ro
16. National institute for research and development in electrical engineering (INCDIE ICPE-CA) www.icpe-ca.ro
Tab.1.10: Automotive R&D capacities in Bulgaria
No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - BULGARIA Web page

1. Belchev Motors www.bgvolt.com

2. BSM Ltd. www.bsm-bg.com
3. ZMD Eastern Europe EOOD www.zmdi.com
4. AMK Drives and Control Ltd. www.amk-drives.bg
5. Magnetic Media Automotive Ltd. www.mmautomotive.com
6. Tremol SMD Ltd. http://smd.tremol.bg
7. Ixetic Plovdiv EOOD www.ixetic.com
8. Yazaki Bulgaria EOOD www.yazaki-bulgaria.com
9. EPIQ Electronic Assembly in Botevgrad www.epiq-bg.com
10. MONBAT Plc. www.monbat.com

Tab.1.11: Automotive R&D capacities in Croatia

No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - CROATIA Web page
1. University of Zagreb - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Zagreb www.fsb.hr
2. University of Zagreb - Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering in Zagreb www.fpz.hr

23
3. University of Zagreb - Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb www.fer.hr
4. University of Zagreb - Faculty of Metallurgy in Sisak www.simet.hr
5. University of Zagreb - Faculty of Organizations and Informatics in Varaždin www.foi.hr
6. University of Zagreb - Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology (Fakultet kemijskog
inženjerstva i tehnologije) in Zahreb www.fkit.hr
7. Science and Technology Park of the University of Rijeka Ltd. in Rijeka www.step.uniri.hr
8. University of Rijeka - Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka www.riteh.hr
9. University of J.J.Strossmayer, Osijek - Mechanical Engineering Faculty in Slavonski Brod www.sfsb.hr
10. University of J.J.Strossmayer, Osijek -Faculty of Electrical Enginering in Osijek www.etfos.hr
11. University of Split - Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval
www.fesb.hr
Architecture in Split
12. University of Split - Faculty of Chemistry and Technology in Split www.ktf-split.hr
13. Brodarski Institut d.o.o. (Croatian Institute of Advanced Technologies) in Zagreb www.hrbi.hr
14. Ruñer Bošković Institute in Zagreb www.irb.hr
15. KONČAR – Electrical Engineering Institute, Inc. in Zagreb www.koncar-institute.hr
16. Centar za razvoj proizvoda, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture,
www.crp.fsb.hr
University of Zagreb
17. Ctt - Centar za transfer tehnologije, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval
www.fsb.hr/ctt/
Architecture, University of Zagreb
18. Ad Plastik d.d. in Solin www.adplastik.hr
19. AVL AST d.o.o in Zagreb www.avl.com
20. P. P. C. Buzet d.o.o. in Buzet www.cimos.eu
21. CadCam Design Centar d.o.o. in Zagreb www.cadcam-group.eu
22. CAT Logistika Tereti d.o.o. in Karlovac www.groupecat.com
23. EAG Centar d.o.o. www.eag.hr
24. Maziva Zagreb d.d.o. www.maziva.hr

Tab.1.12: Automotive R&D capacities in Serbia

No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - SERBIA Web page
1. www.zastava-
Zastava Institute
automobili.com
2. Faculty of Electronic Engineering, University of Niš www.elfak.ni.ac.rs
3. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Belgrade University www.mas.bg.ac.rs
4. Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad www.ftn.uns.ac.rs/
5. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Niš www.masfak.ni.ac.rs
6. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kragujevac www.mfkg.kg.ac.rs
7. University of Belgrade, School Of Electrical Engineering www.etf.bg.ac.rs
(Innovation Center of the School of Electrical Engineering - ICEF) www.icef.etf.rs

Good practices of automotive R&D capacities

Tab.1.13: Good Practices of Automotive R&D capacities
No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - SLOVAKIA Web page
1. Johnson Controls Engineering Centre in Trenčín www.jci.com
2. Institute of Technology of Slovak Academy of Sciences in
www.ti.sav.sk
Bratislava
No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY – 2 ITALY REGIONS Web page
1. Kilometro Rosso Science Park in Bergamo www.kilometrorosso.it
2. Department of Mechanics of the Politecnico di Milano www.mecc.polimi.it
No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - HUNGARY Web page
1. Audi Hungaria Motor Kft. in Gyır www.audi.com

24
 www.audi.hu
2. Advanced Vehicles and Vehicle Control Knowledge Centre, http://portal.bme.hu
Budapest University of technology and Economics www.ejjt.bme.hu
No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - SLOVENIA Web page
1. University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering www.fs.uni-lj.si
2. Hidria Institute for Ignition Systems and Electronics www.hidria.com
No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - ROMANIA Web page
1. Continental Automotive Romania SRL in Iasi www.conti-online.com
2. Renault Technologie Roumanie (RTR) in Bucharest www.renault.com
No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY - BULGARIA Web page
1. ZMD Eastern Europe EOOD in Varna www.zmdi.com
2. TREMOL SMD Ltd. in Veliko Tarnovo www.tremol.bg
No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY – CROATIA Web page
1. Brodarski Institut d.o.o. Zagreb www.hrbi.hr
2. AVL-AST d.o.o. Zagreb www.avl.com
No. AUTOMOTIVE R&D CAPACITY – SERBIA Web page
1. Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad www.ftn.uns.ac.rs/
2. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Belgrade University www.mas.bg.ac.rs

25
2. AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IN PPS´ COUNTRIES/REGIONS
Automotive Industry in Slovakia

Automotive industry in Slovakia has several great attributes, such as: the big power of
the Slovak economy, the biggest employer in Slovakia, the biggest exporter in Slovakia, the
fastest developing industry in Slovakia, the leader in car production per 1000 inhabitants in
the world, and other. Automotive industry is for Slovakia very important and has a big
potential for future growth not only in area of manufacturing and assembly but in area of
research and development and innovation, too.
The modern evolution of automotive industry and related supply sector in Slovakia
began with the establishment of production plant of car German producer Volkswagen in
Slovakia in 1991. Volkswagen began manufacturing cars like VW Passat, and then VW Golf,
VW Polo, Seat Ibiza in former Bratislava automobile plant. These days’ cars like VW
Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7 and Skoda Octavia are produced in Bratislava plant.
Volkswagen has other Slovak production plant in the town called Martin where it
produces gearboxes and its components. These include for examples differentials,
flanges, brake drums and discs, wheel hubs, flange shafts and the synchronising rings,
which form the largest part of production. Components are produced for the group brands
Audi and Škoda, but also for Porsche.
Slovakia has successfully managed the transformation process to new European
standards in automotive industry, adapted to car producer requirements and built strong
supplier base. This supplier base composes not only from foreign automotive players but
domestic firms as well. Good results of transformation process in the automotive industry
were driving motivation factor for establishing other two production plants of two world car
producers: PSA Peugeot Citroen and Kia Motors. Presence of three car producers in
Slovakia created interesting supplier chain which is located near to OEM plants. Slovakia
became interesting location for production and assembly of cars, modules, systems and
components. Next positive point of Slovak automotive industry is expressed by words of
Andreas Tostmann Volkswagen's CEO in Bratislava: „Slovakia has strategic geographic
position between West and East Europe region“.
Slovakia needed replace fail of heavy industry (armament industry, ferrous and non-
ferrous metallurgy, metal working industry, power industry, chemical and rubber industry,
machinery industry) after economic transformation process. Slovak economic and industry
analyses showed that automotive industry was the only opportunity for utilization of
traditional machinery industry for next economic development. Slovakia offered good
conditions for foreign direct investors, mainly in automotive industry. In the present, Slovakia
is automotive industry country with 1st place in the world in 2007/08 – car production per
1000 inhabitants=105.7 cars.
Car production in Slovakia in 2007 was 571,071 cars
Car production in Slovakia in 2008 was 575,776 cars (Pic. 1)
- VW: 187,872 cars
- PSA: 186,397 cars
- Kia Motors: 201,507 cars

26
 Car production in Slovakia (units)
571 071 575 776
600000

500000

400000
281 160 295 390
300000 225 442 223 542 215 349
181 618
180 803
200000

100000

0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Pic. 2.1: Car production in Slovakia

Both automotive car producers and suppliers in Slovakia present the newest
sophisticated technologies, production methods and close cooperation. Automotive industry
influences other industry sectors and production. On Picture 2 is map of Slovakia and
locations of foreign car producers.

Volkswagen
Slovakia in Martin
Kia Motors Slovakia in Zilina

PSA Peugeot Citroen

Slovakia in Trnava

Volkswagen
Slovakia in
Bratislava

Pic. 2.2: Map of car producer locations in Slovakia

27
 Tab. 2.1: Three car producers in Slovakia and its characteristics
Company Basic characteritics

Volkswagen Slovakia, a.s. [joint stock company] is the Bratislava production and assembly
plant of the German VOLKSWAGEN AG Group. In Bratislava plant are manufactured
passenger vehicles and assemble gearboxes and in Martin plant vehicle and gearbox
components are manufactured. Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7 and Škoda Octavia are
currently entirely manufactured in Bratislava. Vehicles manufactured in Bratislava are
exported mainly to EU countries (Germany, Italy, Austria, France, Great Britain, the
Netherlands) and to the American continent. VOLKSWAGEN SLOVAKIA, a.s., is the largest
Slovak exporter. It accounts for more than 15 percent of the Slovak Republic’s total exports.

Capacity and products:

400,000 units a year
VW Touareg, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Skoda Octavia, gearboxes (assembly only), New
Small Family cars – VW Up! and VW Space Up! (from 2011)
Employees: 7,826

Employees
around 2,700
Capacity and products
300,000 units a year
3 car models
4 types of engine
Plant Size
site: 166 ha
buildings: 16.3 ha
Investment amount
Euro 1 billion

Plant Size:
Site: 192 ha
Capacity: 300,000 units a year
Employees: around 3,000
Investment amount: 700 mil. EUR
Produkcia
Product range: Peugeot 207, Citroën C3 Picasso
Actual production: more than 850 cars/day
Car production in 2006: 52,000 units
Car production in 2007: 180,000 units
Car prodution in 2008: 190,000 units
Forecast car production for 2009: 200,000 units

In automotive industry in Slovakia, there are app. 75,000 employees (app. 34,000
direct employees), more than 200 suppliers, good established local R&D network and
technical universities in Slovakia. Automotive industry brought to Slovakia economic growth,
high-tech technologies, new production methods and management of manufacturing culture
in companies, more innovation and increasing of productivity and quality in all industrials
sectors. Automotive industry influenced other industry sectors such as: machinery,
chemistry, electronics and electrotechnics, transport, civil engineering and service
development. Automotive industry with its supplier sector has key share on total industry
production and it is key industry for growth of the Slovak economy. Slovak government
supports investments into research and development and it emphasis importance of high-
tech and innovation technologies. Here are built modern and high productive production
capacities, quality human resource (availability of technicians, engineers, researchers and
scientists), political stability, Euro currency, innovation policy and next important factors for
foreign investors. Slovak supply chain was adapted to conditions and requirements of three
different cultures of car producers (German, French and Korean).

28
Supplier Sector

Supplier structure of Slovak automotive environment belongs to the Central Europe

automotive industry with strong connecting to Western European car producers and
suppliers. Structure of supply chain is composed by 1-Tier, 2-Tier, 3-Tier suppliers and other
small and medium enterprises or organizations and institutes in Slovakia. Examples of 1-Tier
and 2-Tier suppliers working in Slovakia are in next tables (Tab. 2, Tab. 3). Suppliers are
divided into five basic groups:
• electrical systems suppliers,
• interior equipment suppliers,
• propulsion suppliers,
• body suppliers,
• running gear suppliers.

Tab. 2.2: Scheme of the automotive 1-Tier suppliers in Slovakia

1-Tier Suppliers

Electrical Systems - Cables, bus systems, embedded systems, semiconductors

Delphi, Kromberg&Schuster, Leoni, SEWS, Siemens, Yazaki, ON Semiconductor, SE Bordnetze,
Interior Equipment - Cockpit, seats, dash-board, air conditioning
Faurecia, Gruppo Antolin, Hella Behr, Johnson Controls, Lear Corporation, Magna Slovteca, Visteon, SAS Automotive, Treves,
Propulsion - Power train, exhaust systems, engines, gearbox, batteries
AVC, Faurecia, GetragFord Transsmisions, VW Slovakia Martin, Tower Automotive, Hyundai Mobis, Pankl Automotive, Miba
Sinter, ZF Sachs, Akutrade, Akuma, Inergy Automotive Systems
Body - Body, roof, glass, doors, lighting etc.
Brose, Dura Automotive, Edscha Daschsysteme, RF, Hella, Magna, Plasic Omnium, Hyundai Mobis, Valeo, HBPO, Dong
Wong, Matador Automotive
Running Gear (chassis systems)- Suspension, brakes, axles, steering, tires
Contitech, FTE, Matador, TRW Steering Systems
Source: www.zapsr.sk
Tab. 2.3: Scheme of the automotive 2-Tier suppliers in Slovakia
2-Tier Suppliers

Electrical Systems - Cables, bus systems, embedded systems, semiconductors

CRT, Hefra, Küster, Molex, Sluzba VDI, Teleflex, Denisart Technology
Interior Equipment - Cockpit, seats, dash-board, air conditioning
Adtool, C.E.P Scherdel, Eismann, Gumotex, Molpir, Hanil, Heiland, Coba Automotive, Krasplast, Technické Sklo, Vural,
Treves, Tramico
Propulsion - Power train, exhaust systems, engines, gearbox, batteries
Dana, DOR, Miba Sinter, Ribe, PFS, Rubena, ZF Sachs, ZSNP
Body - Body, roof, glass, doors, lighting etc.
Bourbon Fabi, Gumárne – Enco, HBPO, SaarGummi, US Steel, Osram, Sluzba Nitra VDI, LLEMI
Running Gear (chassis systems)- Suspension, brakes, axles, steering, tires
Continental Matador, Continental Teves, Fragokov, Knott, VAP Prešov, T-Gum
Source: www.zapsr.sk
Tab. 2.4: Logos of chosen automotive suppliers in Slovakia

29
 Jurgens, U. (2003) in his publication (Characteristics of the European Automotive
System: Is There a Distinctive European Approach?) writes that engineering services
companies play an increasingly important role in the network of actors involved in new
product development. Most engineering services companies specialize in either product or
process engineering, and in either the propulsion system or the body-interior parts of the car.
In view of the shortening of time-to-market requirements and in order to compensate
competence gaps of suppliers, engineering service firms often become third partners in the
cooperation between suppliers and OEMs for new product development. On Picture 3 can be
seen outgoing model of structure of the supply chain in Slovakia. Picture 4 shows new
developing structure of the supply chain in Slovakia with new established types of suppliers.

30
 OEM – Car Producer

1-Tier 1-Tier 1-Tier

Supplier Supplier Supplier

2-Tier 2-Tier 2-Tier 2-Tier

Supplier Supplier Supplier Supplier

3-Tier 3-Tier 3-Tier 3-Tier 3-Tier 3-Tier 3-Tier

Pic. 2.3: Scheme of traditional supply chain Slovakia in 90.years

Traditional Supply Chain in early 90.years in Slovakia:

1-Tier suppliers – foreign companies with own production or assembly capacities establish
near to OEM (mainly global world players)
2-Tier suppliers – foreign companies with own production or assembly plants establish near
to 1-Tier suppliers (global or regional players)
3-Tier Suppliers – local home companies (manufacturing capacities for small simple
automotive parts, raw material suppliers) that fulfil mainly quality and volume conditions of 2-
Tier suppliers, some supplies for 1-Tier suppliers.

OEM – Car Producers

1-Tier System Suppliers

with own establishing local production or assembly and JIT capacities (seat systems, interior systems, chassis
systems, gearbox systems) + local engineering or development center (e.g. JohnsonControls)

2-Tier Suppliers 3-Tier Suppliers

with own establishing local production or assembly and (Parts and Component Supplier, Raw material
JIT capacities (Module and Component Supplier) or with Supplier, e.g. plastic parts, metal parts,
own establishing local development center (e.g. HBPO, aluminum parts)
Brose)

Integrated Consultants Small Engineering Firms,

Engineering Service (Project management, TQM, University and Slovak Academy of
Suppliers production systems Sciences departments
(e.g. Edag, Rücker) optimalization etc.) (e.g. IPA Supplier (specialized services,
design, Rapid Prototyping etc.)
Slovakia)

Clusters
Software Service (network of SME, faculties, local R&D Technology Suppliers
Suppliers institutions, government agencies, public (e.g. supplier of
(e.g. CAD systems) (e.g. bodies and other) (e.g. Automotive automatization, robotics
Technodat) Cluster-West Slovakia) systems)

Local R&D and Scientific Institutions and

Organizations

Pic. 2.4: Scheme of new developing structure of the supply chain in Slovakia

31
 We can identify various types of suppliers in new developing structure of supply chain
in Slovakia. Actual and the main emphasis are on process improvement and innovation, R&D
activities (local and regional automotive R&D centres), innovation of products, engineering
services, manufacturing processes (welding, stamping, injection moulding). Suppliers and
organizations, which are able to supply services in production process optimisation, services
in cost reduction and engineering services will have strong competitive advantage in region
of East and Central Europe. One of good example of this emphasis is universities and its
faculties or departments. Chosen services:
• Designing of production processes and systems and its improvement, lean
management
• Designing and building automotive R&D Centres, testing laboratories, testing stands,
product design and development, testing activities and experiments, car design,
rapid prototyping
• Study programs prepared according to car producers and suppliers requirements
• Diploma and PhD. thesis with focus on material research, manufacturing processes,
research reports, market research

Pic. 2.5: Slovak suppliers for auto industry

Source: Lešinský J. SAITS, 2009, www.saits.sjf.stuba.sk

32
R&D and Universities

According to strong representation of world automotive industry in Slovakia, there is a

significant interest to be not only manufacturing and assembly country but R&D country, too.
Slovakia has built and still building own R&D network consists from university centres,
domestic R&D institutes and institutes and centres of Slovak Academy of Sciences. Industrial
centres of worldwide companies create next group of R&D centres. The most know R&D
centres in Slovakia in automotive industry are:

Tab. 2.5: Chosen company R&D capacities in Slovakia

R&D Centres Company Logo

Johnson Control Technology Center in Trencin

Leoni Autokabel Slowakia Development Centre in Trencin

ON Seminconductor Bratislava Development Center in Bratislava

Konštrukta Industry Development Center in Trencin

U.S. Steel Košice – Labortest in Košice

Continental Automotive Systems R&D Center in Zvolen

Other centres which will be built in the near future
Magneti Marelli R&D Centre in Kechnec

Visteon R&D Centre in Nitra

Engineering services companies

EDAG Slovakia in Bratislava

Rücker SR in Bratislava
Karmann Engineering Services in Trenčín

Slovak specialized secondary schools and universities have started a vast cooperation with
automotive companies and regional municipalities. This cooperation is mainly made through
the establishment of new educational facilities and laboratory centres and the development of
educational study programs which are created to simulate real production to enable students
to learn under real conditions and hence to be prepared practically for real life in companies.
Education in automotive specialization at the University level:

Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (www.stuba.sk)

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering: Study programs: Automobiles, ships and combustion
engines; Mechatronics; Process engineering; Production engineering and quality
management; Applied mechanics; Automation and Informatics of machines and processes;
Automatic production systems …
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology: Study program: Automotive
electrical engineering
Faculty of Architecture: Study programs: Product design, Interior design
Faculty of Material Sciences and Technology in Trnava: Study Programs: Manufacturing
Equipment and Systems, Machining and Assembly, Welding and Joining of Materials,
Computer Aided Design and Production, Non-Metallic Materials and others.
33
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava (www.vsvu.sk)
Study program: Industrial design

Technical University of Kosice (www.tuke.sk)

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering: Study program: Automotive production
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics: Study programs: Electrical engineering,
Informatics and control systems in mechatronics, Automotive electrical engineering,
Automotive mechatronics …
Faculty of Arts: Study program: Design

Alexander Dubcek University in Trencin (www.tnuni.sk)

Faculty of Mechatronics: Study program: Automotive mechatronics

University of Zilina (www.utc.sk)

Faculty of Operational and Economical Transportation: Study programs: Road transport,
Railway transport, Air transport, Professional pilot, Transport engineering
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering: Study programs: Technology and machines for transport;
Vehicles and engines

The Cluster

The important factor of successful automotive industry is close cooperation and

building of partnerships. Slovakia has several clusters for cooperation and support of the
activities in automotive industry and supplier sector. Natural configuration and localization of
automotive suppliers is near to car production plants (VW, PSA, KIA). Next smaller groups of
suppliers are established near to 1-Tier suppliers (near to the industrial cities for example:
Nitra – Visteon; Dubnica nad Váhom - Matador Automotive, Sauer-Danfoss; Trenčín –
JohnsonControls; Košice – GetragFord Transmission, Magneti Marelli; Prešov – Lear
Corporation).
But there are established other types of clusters or associations with the common
interests, activities, aims etc. with typical features of Porter definition of cluster. The most
known automotive cluster in Slovakia is Automotive Cluster-West Slovakia in Trnava
(www.autoklaster.sk) - the main aim of cluster is to contribute to the development of
automotive industry and technology-oriented companies in Slovakia by strong composition of
business subjects, universities, science-research institutes and next public and government
bodies. This cluster will help to increase competitiveness of its members, support of
development human resources, and development of cooperation activities, partnerships with
domestic and foreign subjects with focus on automotive sector.
Other interesting industrial clusters are: Plastics Cluster in Nitra, the 1st Slovak
Engineering Cluster in Banská Bystrica, Electrotechnical Cluster in Trnava, IT Valley Cluster
in Košice, Z@ICT Cluster in Žilina.
The most know automotive association in Slovakia is Automotive Industry
Association of the Slovak republic in Bratislava (AIA SR) (www.zapsr.sk) – member of
OICA, ACEA. Aims of the association are: the development of automotive industry and
suppliers sector and its presentation in abroad, networking with other similar association in
abroad, organization of auto-exhibition, shows, seminars, conferences, involvement of
Slovak supplier base with European and world supplier networks, etc. Next related
associations are: Federation of Mechanical Engineering of the Slovak Republic; Association
of Electro-technical Industry of the Slovak Republic, Association of industrial, research and
development organizations and others. Strengths and Weakness of Automotive Industry in
Slovakia

34
Strengths:
- Strategic location between West and East Europe with possible development
on the East (Russia, Ukraine)
- Bratislava, Poprad, Zilina and Kosice International Airports and in close
distance Vienna International Airport (within 30 min. travel)
- Stable macroeconomic environment
- Strong mechanical engineering tradition
- Traditionally quality technical education and built domestic R&D network
- Presence of world-class car producers and suppliers
- Three the most modern and sophisticated car production plants in its company
groups
- Good quantity of local sub-suppliers
- Growing cooperation activities between industry and universities
- Favourable labour costs and high labour productivity
- Government and EU support for building new innovation capacities in these
years: 45 Centres of Excellence, 8 Regional Innovation Centres
Weaknesses:
- Educational system suffering from insufficient financing, insufficient
involvement of private financing
- Not utilizing the R&D potential of local universities and R&D institutions
- Need to renew measuring apparatus and equipment for research and
development at universities
Opportunities:
- New supplier opportunities due to relocation of global automotive and
electronics R&D towards CEE countries
- Support for the innovative environment in the automotive industry
- Emerging automotive and machinery/electronics/plastics clusters (Automotive
Cluster-West Slovakia in Trnava, Plastics Cluster in Nitra and other) with
strong domestic supplier base
- Strengthening cooperation between car producers, sub-suppliers, engineering
companies and universities as well as the openness of universities towards
cooperation with industries
- Opportunities for the creation of new applied research institutions and
research institutions
- Taking advantage of research networks under the EU framework programs
with strong support and interest in establishing new R&D centres
Threats:
- Unbalanced external dependency of the automotive sector
- Automotive industry is very concentrated in Bratislava and Trnava regions and
due to this fact is raising issue of insufficient skilled labour force here

35
The Lombard automotive industry

Regional and market specifications

Covering an area of 23.858 square metres and

inhabited by around nine million people, Lombardy
Region is the fourth largest and the most densely
inhabited Italy’s Region. Lombardy contributes over
20% of the national GDP, being the most productive
Italian Region. The geographic area is the most
industrialised in Italy, with about 800.000 companies.
A strong entrepreneurship tradition and a high
dynamism on international market are good evidence
of a regional development model based on change
and innovation. Lombardy Region has an excellent
research infrastructure, including 12 leading
universities (7 of which in the Milan area) and about
200 research centres working at the cutting edge of
new technologies.

Over the last twenty years the Lombardy automotive

industry had a deep decrease due to the closure or reassessment of many important plants
such as Alfa Romeo in Arese, Fiat Autobianchi in Desio, Innocenti in Milan and OM in
Brescia.

Nevertheless the Lombardy automotive industry maintains a good dimension as shown by a

research done during BeLCAR activity on a sample of 90 big/medium automotive
companies. The research pointed out that there are about 30000 employees working and a
turnover of 11000 billion€

The good dimension of the Lombardy automotive industry, is supported by its

neighbourhood with the most powerful Italian automotive region (Piedmont – Fiat group) and
by its strong internationalization vocation which allowed the creation of good technical and
commercial relationships with other European nations such us Germany, France and Spain.

The Lombardy automotive

industry is characterized by an
important presence of
INDUSTRIAL AND
SPECIAL VEHICLE
components suppliers but there
OEMs is also a significant presence of
MOTORCYCLE OEMs industrial/farm vehicles and
motorcycles OEMs. At the
CAR SUPPLIERS moment there are not car OEMs
due to the closure of important
MOTORCYCLE plants as mentioned above.
SUPPLIERS
Mould and tooling suppliers
(mainly MICRO enterprises) with
high technology are also
significant for the automotive
Pic. 2.6: Distribution of automotive industry in Lombardy industry. Finally the basic
mechanic industry (foundries, mechanic manufacturing) which has a diversified production,
36
some of which direct to the automotive industry, plays an important role. The automotive
enterprises are mainly located in Milan, Varese, Bergamo and Brescia provinces.

VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS

Pic. 2.7: BELCAR map

The lack of car OEMs is partially compensated by the presence of industrial/farm vehicles
and motorcycles OEMs. Among the most important there are:

SAME DEUTZ-FAHR (SDF) IN TREVIGLIO (BERGAMO)

With the brands SAME, Lamborghini, DEUTZ-FAHR and Hürlimann, the company is one of
the world's leading manufacturers of tractors, engines, combine harvesters and other farm
machines.

In 2003, the company became the largest single shareholder in the German DEUTZ AG, an
independent leading manufacturer of industrial diesel engines, quoted on the Frankfurt stock
exchange. This operation gave SAME DEUTZ-FAHR an important role within the industrial
diesel engines industry.

SDF has always pursued a strategy of internationalisation based on the rational location of
manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Today the company's products are made in
five production plants: Treviglio, Italy, Lauingen, Germany, Lublin, Poland, Ranipet, India
37
and Zupanja, Croatia. This efficient distribution of manufacturing resources is backed up by
a long-standing strategy based on far-reaching international distribution. SDF today boasts
around 100 importers all over the world, serving a sales and service network of some 3000
dealers. The product range, which includes models from 30 to 265 HP, therefore covers all
possible requirements, including special purpose and crawler tractors. The company's
strategic growth objectives include technology, innovation, reliability, quality and excellent
customer service, and this tradition of development demands constant investments in R&D.
In 2004 SDF achieved a turnover of 905 million euro from the manufacture of 32.300
tractors, 21700 engines and 20000 transmissions. The company, which employs around
3.000 people.

IVECO IN BRESCIA AND SUZZARA

Iveco (Industrial Vehicles Corporation) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers in the
transport sector. The group operates through the following brands:Iveco, Iveco Motors, Iveco
Magirus, Astra, Seddon Atkinson and Irisbus.

The company designs, builds and markets:

• a comprehensive range of light (2.8 – 6 tonnes GVW), medium (6 – 16 tonnes GVW)
and heavy (over 16 tonnes GVW) commercial vehicles for use on and off the road
• engines for vehicle and industrial applications
• passenger transport vehicles
• special vehicles
• fire fighting vehicles

Plants number 49 and research and development centres 15 in 19 countries on the five
continents. Iveco operates in over 100 through joint ventures, licensees and participating
investments countries.
In Lombardy IVECO Turin has two important plants in Brescia and Suzzara with more than
3000 employees which produce medium light commercial vehicles industrial vehicles and
component body.

MOTO GUZZI IN MANDELLO SUL LARIO

Moto Guzzi is one of the most important and historical Italian company, now belonging to the
PIAGGIO group; it has an annual production of more than 40000
vehicles and 300 employees. It is one of the most famous
brands among the motorcycles producers thanks to the reliability
of their engines, and it is also a historical supplier of vehicles for
the Italian police.

MV AGUSTA IN VARESE
MV Agusta represents the milestone of the made-in-Italy motorcycle field. It's the only non-
Japanese group to have products in each segment of the motorcycling market. The Firm
groups three prestigious brands, which are strongly distinguished by their value and
technical contents.
The most exclusive brand of the entire motorcycle industry is MV Agusta. A myth sanctioned
by the 75 world titles gained (37 manufacturers and 38 racers) and
celebrated through a production able to conquer the appreciation of the
specialised critics. Recognised by a seductive style, the MV Agusta F4 and
Brutale bikes are equipped with a refined four cylinder inline engine with the
arrangement of radial valves, a peculiarity that makes the products unique in
the motorcycle world outline.
38
A brand with Swedish origins characterised by a centennial history. It is one of the highest
point of reference for the off - road market thanks to an image tightly
connected to competitions (42 world titles gained in Enduro and Cross
disciplines). Produced since 1987 at the MV Agusta factory, Husqvarna has
recently developed its range of products thanks to the use of an innovative
D.O.H.C. engine available on the e250cc, 450cc and 510cc.
Born in 1978 the firm produce a wide range of on road models, from 125 to 1000 cc, known
for the good balance between style, technique and price. In 25 years of
history the Cagiva brand has signed sport events like the victories conquered
in the GP 500 World Championship by Eddie Lawson and Jhon Kocinski or
the triumph in the Paris Dakar and in motocross races.
MV Agusta's production installation are still centred on its famous seat in
Schiranna, but have also expanded to the renovated factories in Morazzone and Cassinetta.
These three sites, which deal respectively with the production of the engine, with the
production of the frame and with final assembly and after sales care, integrate with the
group's two technical centres: Crimson Centre in Morazzone and CRC - the Cagiva research
centre - in San Marino. The MV Agusta is present on all main word markets through a
network of subsidiary, importer and on the national market over 100 authorised dealers.

YAMAHA MOTOR ITALIA in Lesmo (Milan)

Yamaha Motor Italia has a little plant and commercial offices in

Lesmo; they are also planning to concentrate in Lesmo the R&D
activity strictly linked with the Japanese headquarter.

SUPPLIERS

The presence of components suppliers is really important for the Lombard automotive
industry; among national companies there are a lot of foreign multinationals.
Among the national suppliers there are:

BREMBO IN CURNO – BERGAMO

Leader producer of break currently operates in 3 continents with production plants in 9
countries. At present, Brembo employees over 4300 people, nearly 10% of which are
engineers and product specialists working in research and development. Brembo is
specialized in the most demanding applications in sport cars, sedans, SUV's, sport
motorcycles and confidently guarantees an unbeatable level of performance for the most
prestigious cars currently produced in Europe, the United States and Japan.
(www.brembo.com)

CF GOMMA IN PASSIRANO – BRESCIA

CF Gomma is one of the leading European suppliers of components for the automotive
sector (cars and commercial vehicles). Their production includes antivibration items, air
springs, brake hoses and low-pressure hoses, technical mouldings (boots and precision
rubber items), torsional dampers and car body sealings. (www.cfgomma.com)

SOGEFI GROUP IN MANTOVA

Sigefi is an Italian Group, leader in the auto parts components, specialized and first on the
worldwide markets in the systems of engine, cabin filtration and the suspensions
components. SOGEFI is a multinational company, partner of the most important car
manufacturers in the world. The Company has a global presence: 4 continents and 14
39
countries, with 50 offices of which 41 plantsit has two product lines the systems of engine
and cabin filtration and the suspensions components. (www.sogefi.it)

MAGNETI MARELLI ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS IN CORBETTA – MILAN

MM is an international leader in the design and production of high-tech components and
systems for the automotive industry. (lighting, electronics system, exhaust system,
powertrain and suspension). Magneti Marelli has industrial and R&D facilities in Italy,
France, Spain, Great Britain, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Russia, Turkey, the U.S.,
Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, China, Malaysia and South Africa. Magneti Marelli supplies the
world’s major car manufacturers such as Renault, Citroën, Peugeot, Fiat Group, Ford,
Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, BMW-Rover, DaimlerChrysler, GM-Opel, Volvo, Saab, Nissan,
Toyota and Daewoo. (www.magnetimarelli.com)

OMR IN REZZANO – BRESCIA

OMR is specialized in manufacturing mechanical components for cars, vehicles using tires,
industrial and earth moving vehicles. (pedal gears, brake cylinder, engine block, cylinder
head and covers, exaust manifolds, gear box housing, aluminium casting).
(www.omrautomotive.com)

PIRELLI TYRE – Milan:

Pirelli is the world's fifth largest operator in terms of turnover on the tyre market, with levels
of profitability among the highest in the sector. In 2005, the activities today under the aegis
of Pirelli Tyre generated revenues of around 3.63 billion Euros, with a growth of almost 12%
with respect to the previous year. Producer of standard, high performance and sports
competitions tires for automobiles and other various types of vehicles (including industrial
vehicles, busses, motorcycles and other two-wheelers). (www.pirelli.com)

MAGNETTO GROUP IN Torino:

MAGNETTO is a leader in production of wheels for car, industrial and commercial vehicles. In
Lombardy there are two production plants in Rho and Ceriano Laghetto, Milan.
(www.magnetto.com)

Among the foreign multinational there are:

ST MICROELECTRONICS:
ST is one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies whit net revenues of 7 billion€ and
50.000 employees in the world; head quarter in Geneva (Switzerland); in Lombardy there
are two important facilities in Agrate and Cornaredo with 5000 employees. The Automotive
sector represented the 15% of total activities. The products are Microcontrollers and
Memories, Standard Solutions for Automotive DC-Motor Control, Special devices and
systems. These products cover a wide range of application: body and convenience,
Powertrain, Driver information and entertainement, Safety.

EXIDE ITALIA IN ROMANO DI LOMBARDIA (BERGAMO):

batteries, 500 employees. Head Quarter Georgia (USA)

ROBERT BOSCH ITALIA IN MILAN:

gasoline, diesel and chassis systems and car electronics. 5000 employees, 2 plants (Crema
and Offenengo) producing vacuum pumps and hydrulic systems for industrial vehicles. Head
Quarter Stuttgard (Germany)

OSRAM ITALIA MILANO AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING:

40
1300 employees. Production plant in Italy: Bari and Treviso. Head Quarter in Munchen
(Germany)

MORSE TEC EUROPE IN ARCORE (MILAN):

timing and transmission system, belongs to group Borg e Wagner (USA)

LEAR CORPORATION ITALY IN POZZO D’ADDA (BERGAMO):

automotive interior systems and components. 2500 employees in Italy. Lear provides
complete seat systems, electronic products and electrical distribution systems and other
interior products.1 production plant in Lombardy. Head Quarter in Michigan ( USA)

TRW AUTOMOTIVE ITALIA:

Active safety systems (brake, steering, suspension), passive safety systems (Airbag, seat
belt, steering wheel), electronic systems. One Production plant in Lombardy Gardone Val
Trompia (Brescia) producing valves for hydraulic steering .Head Quarter Michigan (USA)

NOVEM CAR INTERIOR DESIGN ITALIA IN BAGNATICA (BERGAMO):

Decorative components and functional elements for vehicle interiors. 300 employees in
Bagnatica facilities (production and logistic) Head Quarter Bavaria (Germany)
About the 60% of the production has an Italian market (mainly FIAT and IVECO) while the
last 40% has an European one (mainly Germany, France and Spain). The component
suppliers are highly specialized and can be divided into two groups:
• car suppliers
• other vehicles suppliers (special and two wheelers vehicles).

Among the car suppliers there are mainly big companies not interested in the “other
vehicles” market because of the low production volume, the big flexibility and the low
investments that this market requires. On the other site there is a good number of
technological and dynamics SMEs operating in the above mentioned “other vehicles”
market.

Over the last twenty years Italian suppliers tried to diversify their markets to avoid a unique
dependence from FIAT group shifting their attention to foreign OEMs (particularly the
German and French ones). As a consequence, when the economic environment was
favourable, many of them moved their plants to other European countries, bringing there
also the production for the Italian market. This has caused a decrease of the workforce
despite an increase of turnover

Concerning multinational companies with transplant in Lombardy it has to be taken in

account that, since the labour cost in Lombardy is very high, there is a risk that they could
leave our country. To avoid this risk it is essential to offer a good environment for their
development. First of all it is necessary to guarantee an Italian OEM market: fortunately the
FIAT group is now coming out from a long crisis period.

Secondly Lombardy guarantees many positive factors such as:

• the flexibility of the job
• the political stability
• the educational level
• the logistic position
• the industrial scientific and technologic network
• local incentives for innovation that contribute to make Lombardy Region more
attractive for foreign investments.
41
R&D

The continuous increasing competition in the global automotive market calls for:
• shorter time to market for innovative products
• high engineering and production flexibility
• improved development and application services.

This enforce companies to strengthen their R&D centres. Some of the most important
Lombard automotive companies established multidisciplinary R&D centres, among them:

A) Brembo Research Center inside Kilometro Rosso Science Park (Bergamo)is already
operational, and involves both mechatronics and sensortronic sciences. This is a
joint-venture laboratory with DaimlerCrhrysler (involving composite and ceramic base
materials); these two concerns alone will host about 650 employees in R&D by the
end of 2006

B) Pirelli Labs represents the Group's pole of technological excellence. Born in May
2001 with a starting investment of 135 mn Euro, the research centre at Milano -
Bicocca is active in the field of photonics and optical fibres and employs about 150
researchers. Pirelli Labs, the group's innovation engine, has carried out numerous
research projects representing the hub of a network of qualified international
partners, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Georgia Technical
University, CNR, ENEA and the Milan Politecnico University, and domestic labs such
as CORECOM and CORIMAV. Pirelli Labs have focused on the following specific
fields of activity:
- new-generation optical components and chips based on nanotechnologies;
- new materials and processes for tyres;
- sensors and telemonitoring;
- fuel cells.

However there are many universities and academic institutions with degree programs
related to the automotive industry; among them:

A) POLITECNICO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY IN MILAN1:

1) Engineering university degree course in:
- Automation engineering
- Electronics engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Material engineering
2) Design university degree course in:
- Industrial design

B) UNIVERSITY OF BRESCIA:
1) Engineering university degree course in:
- Mechanical engineering
- Automation engineering
- Material engineering

1
The Politecnico has other various faculty located in Lombardy Region in Como, Cremona, Lecco, Mantova. Concerning
courses/master we are related to the automotive sector there is: in Como Industrial Design, in Cremona Master in mechatronic
system planning and in Lecco Mechanical Enginnering

42
 - Industrial design

C) UNIVERSITY OF PAVIA
1) Engineering college degree course in:
- Mechanical engineering

Among the public research institutions there are:

- CNR –ITIA Institute Of Industrial Technologies And Automation
- CIMAINA - Interdisciplinary Nanostructured Material Development Center
(Milan University)
- Chemistry And Physics Department For Engineering And Materials (Brescia
University)
- Electronics For Automomation Department (Brescia University)
- Industrial Engineering Department (Bergamo University)
- Mechanics Engineering Department (Brescia University)
- Mechanics Department (Politecnico University)
- Materials Tests Laboratory Foundation (Politecnico University)
- Transport Safety Laboratory (Politecnico University)
- Chemistry, Materials And Chemistry Engineering Department – Giulio Natta
(Politecnico University)
- Electronics Department (Pavia University)

Among the private research institutions there are:

- Breda Scientific Institute
- AQM
- CE.S.I.- Industrial Study Center
- CSI - Certification And Behavioural Analysis Center
- CSM S.P.A - Materials Development Center
- Fuel Experimental Station – SSC
- Pirelli Labs

43
 Tab. 2.6 Facts about the region
Fac ts about the region
Population 9475202 GDP per capita 28.000 €
Employment 8071000 GDP per capita
Unemployment (%) 4,10% Economic growth 1,10%

Total automotive c ompanies in Lombardy* 90

5 (+18 c onveting
OEM's vehic les)
Suppliers 67
31 (19 c ar and 12
of whic h are: System suppliers (Tier 1) motorc yc les)
Component suppliers (Tier 2)
Parts suppliers (Tier 3)
Other 13
of whic h are: Engineering c ompanies 4
Logistic s c ompanies 9
…
Total employment in automotive industry 30000
7000 (6000 industrial
vehic les and 1000
employment at: OEM's motorc yc les)
Suppliers
Other
Joint turnover of the automotive c ompanies: 12 billion euro
Gross value added in the automotive industry:

Most important automotive c ompanies (in order of importanc y)**

Name Supply c hain position Employment** Tec hnology field
Brembo Tier 1 4500 Brakes
Trac tors and farm
SAME DEUTZ OEM 3500 vehic les
Pirelli Tier 2 20000 Tyres
Lighting and
elec tronic s
Magneti Marelli Tier 1 20000 c omponents
Cabin filtration and
suspensions
SOGEFI Group Tier 1 6000 c omponents
Antivibration item and
air springs- rubber
Cf Gomma Tier 2 5000 c omponents
Mec hanic al parts and
OMR Tier 1-2 2000 assembly

* The data provided regards a research done during the BeLCAR project about a sample of
90 automotive enterprises. The regional industrial statistical classification does not allow to
individuate exactly the automotive industry dimension, so it was decided to do a research on
a sample of the most representative Lombard automotive enterprise to provide more precise
data.
** Only companies with headquarters in Lombardy
*** Total employees over the world

44
THE CLUSTER

The particular characteristics of the Lombard industrial fabric, characterized by an high

diversified production and the delocalization of industrial plants, drove the Lombard
Government to carry out the “metadistrict”2 policy. For this reason Lombardy Region does
not have an automotive cluster.

The realistic BeLCAR goal is to awake the regional Government about the importance of the
automotive industry to allow, without setting up a cluster, its introduction among the
industrial and innovation policy priorities.

This should be made concrete by:

• the introduction of the automotive companies among the beneficiaries of specific
support innovation programs;
• the setting up of an observatory aiming at a deeper monitoring of the automotive
industry status and needs than that done by the BeLCAR project;
• the involvement of some automotive leader companies in research and innovation
projects in the framework of the FP7 and the CIP3.

2
According law 317/1991 industrial discrits are: “territorial systems that are limited geographically and made up of connecting
areas in which there are concentrations of small enterprises having the same kind of productive specialization”. In 2000
Lombardy Region redifined the industrial discritcts map and next to the 16 industrial discrits (9 specialized in textiles and
apparel, 3 in mechanics/metallurgy, 2 in shoes industry, 1 in furniture, 1 in wood-processing, 1 in electric and electronic
equipment, 1 in rubber items) introduced the metadistricts.
Metadiscrits are areas:
- not limited territorially,
- with a strong inter-sector integration,
- with a strong link with the research and innovation world.
The Lombard Metadistricts are the following:
- BIOTECHNOLOGICAL FOOD METADISTRICT: it is spread over 121 municipalities of the 11 Lombard Provinces. The
metadistrict is made up of 11 research centers and employs 30,455 people.
- NON-FOOD BIOTECHNOLOGIES METADISTRICT: it is spread over 58 municipalities within 8 Lombard Provinces. It is made
up of 26 research centers and employs 46,266 people.
- DESIGN METADISTRICT: it is spread over 65 municipalities of 6 Lombard Provinces. It is made up of 11 research centers
and employs 44,958 people.
- MATERIALS METADISTRICT: it is spread over 103 municipalities of 10 Lombard Provinces (excluding Cremona). It is
made up of 29 research centers and employs 32,748 people.
- FASHION METADISTRICT: it is spread over 126 municipalities of 9 Lombard Provinces (excluding Sondrio and Lecco). It
is made up of 4 research centers and employs 120,406 people.
- ICT METADISTRICT

Lombardy Government planned to distribute 60 ML€ to promote the excellence between metadiscrits using the European model
“call for proposal”.

3
Among the most important Programs related to industry specific for important aspects such as the innovation, the research
and development, the internationalization, the access to credit and environmental aspects. There are:

A) THE REGIONAL LAW 35/1996 “REGIONAL INTERVENTIONS FOR SMES DEVELOPMENT”: it integrates different aspects for the
intervention in industrial policy with special focus on SMEs. The different measures aim at balancing the regional production
structure and developing local production systems, with particular attention to support SMEs in facing the most critical issues for
their development such as: access to credit, internationalization and innovation. In 2001 Lombardy Region introduced new
fulfilment criteria for the Regional Law 35/1996 and it identified new intervention measures concerning research, innovation and
technological transfer. This measures are:
- MEASURE INTEC 1: development of SMEs support centres performing services in the field of innovation and
technological transfer;
- MEASURE INTEC 2: projects presented by SMEs support centres aiming at to boost innovation and technological
transfer among SMEs;
- MEASURE INTEC 3: creation of new enterprises to support process/product innovations;
- MEASURE INTEC 4: realization of projects concerning the dissemination and consolidation of technological innovation;
- MEASURE INTEC 5: SMEs participation to EU and national research programme
- MEASURE INTEC 6: internships for recently graduated students in SMEs for the realization of research and
technological development projects;
- MEASURE INTEC 7: fund for the innovation and the realization of innovating projects.

45
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS

STRENGTHS
• The Lombard automotive industry is characterized by a productive diversification:
presence of farm vehicles - industrial vehicles - motorcycles OEMs;
• Lombardy hosts top level Italian components suppliers headquarters and strategic
directions so guaranteeing the future presence of the enterprise;
• there are good suppliers in the field of prototypes and moulds;
• Lombard industry is well developed in all the sectors (about 255000 enterprises); this
allows high opportunity of technology transfer between the different sectors among
the automotive one;
• Lombardy Region is one of the European motors and it has a strategic geographical
position and Milan hosts new exhibition area which offer many business
opportunities;
• Presence of engineering and technical university fundamental for the research and
technological development.
WEAKNESS

B) THE TECHNOLOGICAL INTEC VOUCHER: In the framework of the programme “Innovative Action Minerva”, Lombardy Region
introduced for the first time, in an experimental way in the objective 2 areas, the tool of the technological voucher aiming at:
- the support of innovative enterprises start ups and spin offs;
- the introduction and dissemination of the enterprises innovation.
In consequence of the success of the Pilot Action Lombardy Regional Government decided to spread the application of
Technology Voucher to the whole regional territory experimenting a new innovative measure the TECHNOLOGICAL INTEC
VOUCHER.
The new measure aims at:
- connecting research and enterprises sector assuring an effective match between demand and offer;
- simplifying administrative procedures for funding calls;
- increasing SMEs’ propensity to innovation and supporting new start ups.
The INTEC VOUCHER finances four kinds of actions:
1. PATENT ASSISTANCE: assistance at national and European level during the patent procedure;
2. TECHNOLOGICAL DUE DILIGENCE: consulting services to evaluate innovation and competitiveness level of
technologies proposed for an entrepreneurial or technological transfer project;
3. BUSINESS EVALUATION: consulting activities for the evaluation of economical and financial aspects of project
concerned with innovation or technological transfer;
4. RESEARCH VOUCHER: scientific research through cooperation partnership, selection of qualified personnel
perform scientific and technical research

The sectors financed by the Intec voucher are:

Biotechnologies (food and not food), electronics, mechanics, electro-mechanics, textile, chemicals, industrial design, new
material, ICT, environmental technologies, robotics, artificial intelligence, low –zero emission industrial technologies

C) THE “NEXT” PROGRAMME :a closed-end fund of funds, dedicated to institutional investors, with a target financial dimension of
60 Millions Euro.
“NEXT” has been instituted to develop a Venture Capital Market in Lombardy Region, specifically dedicated to innovation, R&D
and new technologies, with the purpose of improving technology transfer processes focusing on profitable sectors
(biotechnologies, electronics, electro mechanics, new materials, ICT, environmental and energy technologies) with high
possibilities to obtain satisfying economical results.
The peculiar characteristic of ”NEXT” is the availability of a guarantee offered to its investors on the subscribed capital. This
system, granted by Lombardy Region, sum up to 20 millions Euro.

D) PIA - INTEGRATED PACKAGE FACILITATION : is a new interesting financing opportunity for the 250.000 Lombard handicraft
enterprises and SMEs in support to innovation, new technologies and new economy. Main purpose is the opportunity for the
Lombard enterprises of a strategic investment and the simplification of the procedure in managing and obtaining the regional
aids.
This regional tool concerns three topics related to the research and innovation:
- “PIA New High Tech Enterprises”,
- “PIA Research and innovation-minor projects”
- “PIA Investment Innovation in Advanced Technologies”
The aim is integrating different regional and national laws (the competence of which is transferred to the regions), to finance the
same intervention or project. Lombardy Region finances projects having a minimum amount of 103.000 euro and it gives
preference to enterprises belonging to an industrial district or meta-district.

46
 • Disappearance of historical car OEMs (Alfa Romeo, Innocenti, Autobianchi) and
related decrease of the supplier network;
• some suppliers are too much dependent on FIAT Group;
• some automotive enterprises have too much management turnover this means lack
of a consolidated company structure and presence of short time strategies;
• low appeal of a technical/technological career for young employees who prefer
career with possibility of success in short time: risk to move the know how in the way
of suppliers;
• low collaboration with university/research centres;
• no cooperation network among companies and too strong competition;
• generational business transfer: lack of successors in the SMEs;
• difficulty to access credit due to the rigid banking system;
• education sometime doesn't match with the industry needs;
• high labour and lands cost;
• low knowledge of foreign languages;
• over crowded transport system: only wheel transport and a law developed/efficient
railway.
OPPORTUNITIES
• Resumption of the FIAT and PIAGGIO groups;
• customization: to anticipate and to comply the customers needs is an opportunity to
avoid the import from the low cost workforce countries;
• new policies on traffic and pollution which promote the development of new
technologies;
• collaboration with other national and European regions;
• development of topics related to safety, traffic and pollution.
THREATS
• Competition from low cost manpower countries;
• the high cost of labour the high taxes and the complex Italian legislative system cloud
force multinational companies to leave Lombardy;
• too many actors working on the same topics without coordination (for example
Association, Public body, University, Banks);
• lack of a regional cluster culture due to the productive diversification.

47
Automotive Industry in Italy

Industry in Italy, in general, is very well developed, making the country one of the most
industrialized countries in the world. The automobile industry is among the most active ones
and has a great contribution for this and in addition made Italy proud throughout the world.
According to the Italian Automotive Service Equipment Manufacturers Association (AICA,
www.asso-aica.it), Italy boasts the largest concentration in the world of companies
specialized in the sector. Also according to AICA, 40% of production is concentrated in
Piedmont, thanks to the induced activity of the Fiat group, which provides work for around a
thousand companies.

For Italian automobile components, the foreign market is worth more than the domestic
market. Out of an overall production value of €24bn in 2004 (+7% on 2003), exports in fact
accounted for €13bn, 54% of the total. Italian companies are appreciated above all in Europe
(which absorbs 75% of exports), but are building increasingly strong bonds with the Americas
(12% of exports), and Asia (8%). The Italian Association of Automobile Industries (ANFIA,
www.anfia.it ) considers Japan as one of the most interesting trade partners in coming years.

To provide incentives for their business, Italian companies are moving towards greater
diversification and specialization: new American distributors, constant large-scale
investments in research and new machinery are the keystone of their success.
Fiat, which is a major name in Italy auto industry, is buying 35 percent shares in Chrysler.
This buyout is part of a concerted effort of both these companies to cope up with global
financial meltdown. As part of this deal Chrysler would be able to get access to state of art
automobile technology, at disposal of Fiat.

After a few difficult years, at the beginning of 2006 the imports of Italian cars in Mexico
restarted, thanks to the agreement between Fiat and a local distributor for the
commercialisation of several models and the development of a sales and after-sales services
network on Mexican territory. In Mexico the automotive components, accessories and spares
industries accounts for 1,3% of national GDP and 7,3% of exports for the manufacturing
industry. The sector is heavily concentrated: 6% of firms produce 59,7% of the industry's total
output. And although Italy cannot claim yet to have a significant role in Mexico as an
automotive supplier, in recent years the presence of its firms has progressively grown thanks
to the appreciation in the market for the quality, design and creative features that -
particularly for accessories - set apart 'Made in Italy' products.

Present situation and statistics

In 2008 Italy appeared to be surviving the global recession. There were only a few cut backs
over Xmas. No Italian banks have gone bankrupt, Italian mortgage interest rate was capped
at 4% for variable interest rate Italian mortgages.

The situation has changed since the start of 2009. The global automobile recession has
arrived in Italy. The industry contributes 11.5% to the Italian GDP 300,000 jobs are at risk.
As per experts, in 2009 there would be a decrease of 13.5 percent in car sales in Italy
automobile industry. This rate is lesser than estimates for 2008.

In November 2008 only 138,352 cars of automobile industry of Italy were sold in that country.
This was a drop of 29.46 percent from October in that year and worst drop, on a monthly
basis, after 1993. Until November 2008 only 2.018 million cars of automobile industry of Italy
were sold. This was a decrease of 13.40 percent. Auto industry associations in Italy have
48
been urging national government to emulate Germany and France and come up with
financial aid for its ailing automobile industry.
Experts are citing ongoing global financial meltdown as main reason behind decreasing
projections. It is estimated that 1.85 million cars would be sold in 2009. Previously 2.14
million cars were predicted to be sold in that year. There have been lots of other causes
behind decreasing sales of auto industry of Italy.

Experts have also said that this trend would continue for a long period of time. Major auto
makers in Italy are finding it extremely hard to cope up with effects of global financial
recession. Most of these companies, such as Fiat, are looking out for other automobile
establishments to either join forces with them or buy stakes in their companies.

Prices of various fuels are touching sky and it has been tough for consumers of auto industry
in Italy to get access to financial aid that is necessary for purchasing new cars like loans.
These loans have become more expensive as well. Incentives, announced by Italian
government for purchasing new cars, have not had their desired effect on consumers. The
Government has introduces measures such as:

• 1500 euros for those who buy a new car and write off their existing one;
• Super road taxes on SUV’s upto 500 euros.

Regionally concentrated supplier networks

Italy’s leading international position owes much to the supplier networks specialising in the
production of spare parts and accessories. The Turin area and the Piedmont region as a
whole accommodate the nation’s most important industrial clusters. More than 470
component makers, 40% of Italy's suppliers are located there (with 33% of the workforce),
with a peak of 75% for suppliers of modules and systems. As a whole, the regional supplier
system employs over 43,000 people, about 70% of which is located in the province of Turin.

Sources of new technologies

The automotive sector is Italian manufacturing's star performer not least because of the
important contributions it makes to R&D at the national level and to its role in the introduction
of new technologies on the international scene. Worldwide R&D expenditure (including cars,
trailers, semi-trailers, buses, spare-parts, etc.) amounted to about €2bn in the year 2005.
Several universities offer tailored graduate or post-graduate courses of particular interest for
the automotive industry, such as the specialized automotive courses or programs run by
the Turin "Politecnico", the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, the University of
Pisa and the Federico II University in Naples.

Moreover, automakers and automotive related industries can also profit from the research
activities of other centres of excellence. Among the most important, "CENTRO RICERCHE
FIAT" (CRF) (http://www.fiatgroup.com/en-us/innovation/crf/pages/default.aspx) is
specialized in research & development activities on engines, vehicles, electronic systems,
productive processes and technical/managerial methodologies. To cope with global
competitive pressures and the mounting demand for products that continue to break new
ground in terms of safety, performance and respect for the environment, the companies in
the entire Group’s operating sectors have allocated higher proportions of their revenues to
research and development. To promote sustainable mobility on multiple fronts, Fiat’s
research and development work involved approximately 13,200 people at 116 centres
around the world. R&D investments totalled some 1.6 billion euros, or around 3.2% of net
revenues of Industrial Activities. The CRF is unique within the Italian R&D community being
entirely financed by private capital and wholly dedicated to transferring its R&D results to
49
industry. In addition to its headquarters in Orbassano on the outskirts of Turin, the C.R.F. has
three other centres located in Bari, Trento and Foggia, as well as a controlling interest in
CRP, the plastics and optics research centre in Udine, which focuses on advanced research
in optics and plastics for automotive lighting systems.

Pic. 2.8: ELASIS – research center map

"Elasis" (http://www.fiatgroup.com/en-us/innovation/elasis/Pages/default.aspx) is another

highly specialized research center which carries out applied R&D in the automotive sector
focusing on the study of new design methodologies and advanced trials and on their
application in the development of highly innovative products/processes. Set up in 1988 by
the Fiat Group as a company dedicated to research work in the framework of development
programs for Southern Italy, Elasis has grown into a highly specialized research centre
whose work addresses technological innovation, complete vehicle development, mobility and
its environmental impact, and traffic safety. The Centre has two sites in Pomigliano d’Arco
and Lecce, both located in Southern Italy, with approximately 800 employees and is provided
with sophisticated computer-aided design and calculation tools and advanced physical and
virtual testing equipment which are based on an ability to develop and manage information
systems that puts Elasis in the front ranks of the world’s R&D centres

Also worthy of mention is the "Centro Sviluppo Materiali" ( http://www.c-s-

m.it/layout_html_standard/english/home.html ) which is a national and international reference
point for research into innovative materials and related production design and technologies.
CSM's technological offer to the mechanics and land based transportation industry (i.e. rail,
automotive, ship) is provided by integrating more and more performing and cost-effective
materials with reliable processes able to satisfy the needs of transportation industries, taking
advantage of a through-the-process concurrent engineering approach putting together the
knowledge on materials, forming and surface technologies, virtual and physical modelling,
and cost analysis.

Technology focus
During 2008 the Fiat Group launched several important initiatives to ensure full alignment
with international best practice. The first step was establishment of a unit dedicated to

50
facilitating a culture of economic, environmental and social responsibility internally and
promoting the development of sustainable practices.
In addition, for the first time Fiat has produced a Sustainability Plan. It shows the Group’s
short and medium-term commitments by area of responsibility: from the promotion of ever
more sustainable mobility to a reduction in the impact of our production processes on the
environment; from the management and development of human resources to the quality of
life in the workplace; from initiatives involving the sales network to those benefiting local
communities. Significant milestones were already achieved:

In the environmental area, for example, Fiat was recognized as the European automaker
with the lowest level of CO2 emissions, making the brand and Fiat Group Automobiles the
most virtuous in its peer group. In addition, with the launch of the Grande Punto Natural
Power, Fiat strengthened its leadership in the area of environmentally-friendly natural gas
powered vehicles, including through the contribution of new engines developed by FPT
Powertrain Technologies. New Holland further consolidated its position as “Clean Energy
Leader”, offering a broad range of products which can run on pure biodiesel and Iveco – in
addition to its existing product offer which already meets strict new standards for polluting
emissions well ahead of the legal deadline – has also begun testing of hybrid diesel-electric
vehicles. Finally, Magneti Marelli has been confirmed a major player in sustainable mobility,
receiving one of the most prestigious automotive awards worldwide for its TetraFuel system,
the first engine in the world capable of running on four different fuels: bioethanol, Brazilian
gasoline, gasoline and natural gas.

Fiat Group Automobiles is working hard to increase the recyclability of new models and
seeks to use environmentally-friendly recycled, recyclable or natural materials both for body
exteriors and interior trim. New cars in the FGA line-up already have a recoverability rate of
95% by weight, well over the target that the European Union’s Reusability, Recyclability
and Recoverability Directive (2005/64/EC) mandates for new vehicles applying for type-
approval starting in December 2008, and for all new vehicles registered from July 2010
onwards.

Safer and more versatile vehicles:

Together with Fiat Group Automobiles, C.R.F. developed a lane departure warning system
with haptic interface which is available on the new Lancia Delta launched 2008. Preventive
safety systems for Iveco’s light and medium/heavy range trucks has been developed to
monitor what’s going on around the truck and alert drivers if they are following too closely
behind the vehicle ahead or traveling at an unsafe speed.

51
 Pic. 2.9: Alfa Mito materials

Source: http://sustainability.fiatgroup.com/responsabilita-ambientale/recuperare-riciclare.php

52
Automotive Industry in Hungary

Characteristics of local car production4

Central and Eastern Europe has become an important centre for the world's automotive
industry. With 3.3 million passenger cars produced last year, the area is becoming an
important production base for the EU market. In 2008, while Western European motor
vehicle production fell by 9.1%, production in the CEE countries grew by 7.5%.
Hungary could boast of an 18.5% growth, the second highest in Europe.

The automotive sector is one of Hungary's core industries and contributes 20 per cent
of total exports. In 2008, vehicle sales outside Hungary were worth EUR 8.3 billion and
engines accounted for EUR 5.3 billion. Over 600 companies employing a total of 100,000
people are active in the sector. Of these enterprises, 240 operate according to the ISO
and/or TS 16949 quality management standards. The export ratio of Hungarianmade cars is
94 per cent, a figure that stands at 88 per cent for engine and component production.

The number of first- and second-tier equipment manufacturers is continually rising. Since the
early 1990s, several foreign car manufacturers, such as Suzuki, Audi and General Motors, as
well as 14 of the top 20 Tier 1 suppliers, have set up production facilities in Hungary.

Thanks to Hungary's EU membership, investors settling here find themselves on the south-
eastern borders of a market of 493 million people. As a result, many multinational companies
have also relocated their manufacturing, service operations, European headquarters and
R&D centres to Hungary, translating to nearly EUR 60 billion in foreign direct investment to
date. More than 36 per cent of total FDI in Hungary has been directed towards the
manufacturing industry, with the automotive and its supplier industries leading the way.

General conditions of the Hungarian automotive sector

Hungary has plenty to offer whether it is a car producer looking for a cost-effective
manufacturing base, or competitive component and part suppliers, or locations for logistics
and R&D centres:
• Hungary is at the heart of Central Europe, a region characterised by dynamic
economic growth driven by high industrial output, excellent export potential and
increasing domestic demand.
• Hungary lies along the Eastern border of the EU and is within the Schengen zone.
The country's strategic position, highly developed logistics and utilities infrastructure
and traditional role as a trading post makes it increasingly important as a regional
distribution centre and a natural service hub for the CEE region.
• Four trans-European motorways run through Hungary, more than in any of the
neighbouring countries. Most countries in the Balkans can only be reached through
Hungary.
• As a member of the European Union, Hungary has fully harmonised its legal system,
adopting European safety and quality regulations related to automotive
manufacturing.
• Hungary also compares very favourably when it comes to data security and
enforcement of intellectual property rights.
• Highly skilled, creative and flexible human capital at competitive cost: companies can
expect a 30–50% cost savings compared toWestern Europe and the US. The

4
Source: ITD Hungary Zrt.: The automotive industry in Hungary - Engine of growth (2009)
53
 average gross wage in Hungary is just EUR 740 per month while labour productivity
is among the highest in the CEE region. The Hungarian labour force also rates highly
in international comparisons for innovation and creativity, due to the country's
renowned standards of schooling and tertiary education.
• Fourteen of the world's top 20 Tier 1 suppliers, including Robert Bosch,
ThyssenKrupp, Denso, Michelin, Valeo, Bridgestone, Magna Steyr, BorgWarner,
Visteon, Delphi, Continental, Lear, Siemens and Sumitomo are already present in
Hungary. They have also surrounded themselves with clusters of home-grown small
and medium-sized manufacturers and service suppliers.
• Renault-Nissan, General Motors, Porsche and DAF/PACCAR have chosen Hungary
as a location for part centres supplying not only the Central and Eastern European
markets but also Ukraine, Russia and the Balkans.
• Business processes have been simplified considerably in recent years. In addition,
foreign companies willing to settle in Hungary are welcomed with comprehensive
trade development services and supportive government policy.
• Hungary has a globally recognised academic and university infrastructure.
Increasingly, automotive-related R&D activity is carried out in top universities and
research institutions, while leading global manufacturers, including Audi, Bosch,
Knorr-Bremse, Magna-Steyr and ThyssenKrupp, have established R&D centres in
Hungary.
• Hungary is the regional leader in the production of petrol engines and the fourth
largest exporter in Europe.

Key statistics of Hungarian automotive sector (2008) is as follows:

• Production value: EUR 16.7 billion
• Export: EUR 15.0 billion
• Export ratio: 90%
• Skilled workers' average gross wage: 384 EUR/month
• Share of foreign capital: 75%
• Distribution of companies by ownership:
Domestic: 54%, Foreign: 25%, Joint venture: 21%
• Share of total national exports by Audi, Suzuki and GM Powertrain combined: 11%
• Number of automotive manufacturing firms (OEM, Tier 1–Tier 2): 620
• Number of automotive manufacturing firms with audited quality-assurance systems:
240
• Number of employees: 100 000
• Proportion of employees involved in main-unit manufacturing: 12%
• Proportion of employees involved in part-unit manufacturing: 88%

Major car producers of Hungary5

DAIMLER
Daimler started to invest EUR 800 million to manufacture 100 thousand Class A and B
compact Mercedes cars yearly in the Central Hungarian city of Kecskemét. This will be the
company's first plant in Eastern Europe. The investment will create 2,500 jobs and
production is to start in 2012. The Hungarian Government supports the investment of
Daimler with a package of measures giving the project a clear prioritization. Daimler
considered sites in Romania, Poland and Serbia, in addition to Hungary, but Kecskemet
offered Daimler the best conditions in terms of infrastructure, logistics, work force and wages.

5
Source: ITD Hungary Zrt.: The automotive industry in Hungary - Engine of growth (2009)
54
AUDI
Audi manufactures high-end vehicles equipped with powerful, state-of-the-art engines
supplied by Audi Hungaria. When Audi AG was looking for a new production site to
manufacture a new series of engines in 1992, the northern Hungarian town of Gyır was
selected from 180 potential venues. AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. was established with
founding capital of EUR 1 million in 1993 as a wholly owned subsidiary of AUDI AG and is
now one of the country's key industrial players and largest exporters. The Hungarian
company has produced more than 15 million engines in the past 15 years and its four-, five-,
six-, eight-, ten- and twelve-cylinder engines are used not only in Audi branded vehicles but
also in a variety of Volkswagen, Seat and Skoda models. Audi Hungaria is also the only
company in the world assembling Audi TT sports cars and Audi A3 Cabriolets as part of a
cooperative manufacturing process with Audi's Ingolstadt plant. Audi – Facts & figures
(2008): 1.9 million engines, 60,359 (+6%) cars, Audi TT, Audi TT-Roadster and Audi A3
Cabriolet, turnover EUR 5,617 million, workforce 5,879 people, total investments of over
EUR 3,600 million, Hungary's largest exporter, world's third largest engine manufacturing
plant.

SUZUKI
The company was established by its major shareholder Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1991.
The kick-off model, Swift rolled off the production line in 1992, followed in 2000 byWagon R+,
Ignis in 2003, the new Swift in 2005, SX4 in 2006 and Splash in 2008. By now over a million
and a half Suzuki vehicles – assembled in the Esztergom factory – are used on domestic and
European roads. Since the factory was set up, the company has spent more than HUF 280
billion on development. In addition to 4,300 jobs at the Suzuki factory, the company provides
jobs for thousands of people in Hungary through its circle of suppliers. Apart from the
emphasis it places on quality, Magyar Suzuki aspires to an environmentally conscious mode
of operation. The technology in use at the Esztergom factory is in line with ISO 14 001
environmental and ISO 9001 quality assurance standards. All models currently assembled at
Esztergom are built with engines complying with Euro 4 environmental standards. MSC also
acquired the “Authorized Economic Operator” – AEO certification, an internationally
acknowledged certificate, which proves the excellence of a company within international
trading. Despite of the severe conditions in the car industry, Magyar Suzuki Corporation has
increased its production by 21.28% compared to last year’s figures. Suzuki – Facts &
figures (2008): 281,681 (+21,3%) cars (Swift, SX4, Ignis; Splash), turnover EUR 2.4 billion,
workforce 4,300 people, total investment in excess of EUR 1.3 billion.

GENERAL MOTORS
General Motors Powertrain Hungary Ltd. was founded as a subsidiary of General Motors
Powertrain Europe in Szentgotthárd in 1991. The company is the sole manufacturer of all
Ecotec Family 1 gasoline engines (1.6-1.8 litre) and an exclusive producer of Allison
automatic transmission for trucks and buses outside America. General Motors Powertrain –
Facts & figures (2008): 392,378 engines, 605,643 cylinder heads, 20,437 Allison
transmissions, workforce 640 people, total investment reached EUR 700 million by 2008.

ROBERT BOSCH
Bosch has been present in Hungary for 110 years. The company is the second largest
foreign employer in Hungary with 12 local subsidiaries and a total headcount of more than
7,000. Bosch in Hungary is increasing its efforts to adapt the domestic technical higher
education system to the needs of the market by supporting numerous training programmes in
Budapest, Hatvan and Miskolc. Last year the company has spent EUR 36 million on R&D. By
now already 430 engineers work in the Bosch Budapest Development Centre.

55
F.SEGURA
Spanish die-manufacturing and stamping company Grupo F.Segura has chosen the city of
Szolnok to establish a new facility to design and manufacture metal components for the
automotive industry for its customers FORD, VW, SEAT, AUDI and VOLVO. Initially the
factory will be 11,000 sqm large, over a total area of 10 hectares. The overall cost of
investment will reach EUR 11 millionand it will create 150 new jobs. From this privileged
position in the centre of Europe and bordering on seven countries, F.Segura Hungaria KFT
wants to obtain a major presence in the current and future European context. With this
strategic decision F.Segura establishes itself in a multi-customer environment where
privileged logistics conditions and additional benefits take profit of the new emergence
markets in the region.

KNORR-BREMSE
Knorr-Bremse Brake Systems Kft. announced that it will invest more than EUR 10 million in a
research and development (R&D) project in Hungary which will employ 60 new engineers.
The Knorr-Bremse Group is the world's leading manufacturer of braking systems for rail and
commercial vehicles. The Hungarian branch has the most employees among the European
factories. Knorr Bremse has established its development centre in 1999 in Hungary.

THE GEDIA GROUP

GEDIA Gebrüder Dingerkus GmbH develops and manufactures pressings and welded
assemblies for the automotive industry, technical products and fastening systems for the
household goods industry. The company announced that in addition to its already existing
facility in Hungary, it will create 103 new jobs and an investment of EUR 21 million in the
town of Tata to manufacture body parts for the vehicle industry.

BOSAL
Dutch company Bosal expands its operations in Hungary by building a new production hall
and creating additional 250 jobs at its site in Kecskemét. Bosal who already has 200
employees, has been operating in Kecskemét since 2004 and produces towbars, jacks and
toolkits.

Pic. 2.10: Major automotive companies of Hungary, Source: ITD Hunary Zrt.: Hungary -
an ideal location for Investors
56
Characteristic of local supplier chains, networks, clusters, automotive R&D in Hungary

Characteristic of local supplier chains6

Hungary has a strong supplier base, with annual sales of around EUR 9 billion. There are
over 350 companies manufacturing car components, with 90.000 employees. 70 % of them
have audited quality control systems. 94 % of the cars produced in Hungary and 88 % of
engines and components are exported. The average wage in the industry is 680
EURO/month, the proportion of foreign companies is 75 %. The following types of parts are
supplied by Hungarian subcontractors: ABS sensors, brake locks, cable harness, clutch
disks, controllers, door latches, door limiters, horns, gearboxes and brake systems for
commercial vehicles, ignition switches, instrument panels, high precision injection moulded
products, pressed and welded components, technical rubber components, seat covers, seat
frames, screen wiper systems, suspension elements, etc. 90% of the production and export
of the Hungarian Automotive Industry comes from Audi, Opel, Suzuki and Visteon. The
exports of Audi, Opel and Suzuki make 17 % of the whole Hungarian exports.

Excellent local supplier network:

• Hungary - as one of the “Detroit East” countries - can supply manufacturers and
customers in the whole of Europe
• The number of orders are on an increasing scale due to heavy investments by CBU
manufacturers to expand capacities

Major automotive suppliers in Hungary:

• Prior to the global crisis manufacturers, such as Suzuki and Audi were steadily
expanding capacities and workforce to meet growing demand
• 14 of the world’s top 20 TIER-1s have already established operations in Hungary
• Several multinationals have set up R&D centres in Hungary including Audi, Bosch,
Knorr-Bremse, Magna-Steyr, ThyssenKrupp, Arvin Meritor, Denso, Continental,
Visteon, WET, Draxlmaier, Edag,Temic Telefunken, DENSO and ZF.
• In 2007/2008 two of the top awards presented by the Minister of National
Development and Economy to most outstanding foreign investors was received by
Daimler AG for its new investment in Kecskemét.

Automotive organizations, networks, clustering7

Over the last years, Hungary has seen the emergence of clusters in several of its industries,
ranging from the automotive sector to logistics, construction and tourism. The
investmentbased, export-orientated automotive industry has been the frontrunner in this
development.

The Association of the Hungarian Automotive Industry: (MGSZ) has 27 members and
represents the international interests of Hungarian producers in the Association of European
Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (ACEA) and the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle
Manufacturers (OICA).

Association of Hungarian Vehicle Component Manufacturers (MAJOSZ) was

established in 1993 by 22 founding members. It currently has more than 290 members, of
which 80 are supporting members. The Association's goal is to assist its members in
climbing as high up the supplier hierarchy as possible, and to help them advance from
6
Source: http://www.itdh.com/engine.aspx?page=Itdh_Priority_Sectors_Automotive
7
Source: ITD Hungary Zrt.: The automotive industry in Hungary - Engine of growth (2009)

57
simpler to more sophisticated products, from contract manufacturing to product development
projects. The Association is an official member of the European Association of Automotive
Suppliers (CLEPA).

The Pannon Automotive Cluster (PANAC) was established in 2000 and now boasts 96
members. The organisation's mission is to facilitate national and international networking by
providing opportunities for communication and partnerships, offering project sponsorship and
promoting trust and willingness to cooperate among members. It also assists in company
development, including surveys of supplier capacity, company benchmarking, organisation of
specific automotive teaching/training programmes, and professional forums, programmes
and technology exchanges.

MAJÁK: The aim of the Hungarian Vehicle Engineering Cluster (HVEC) is to coordinate the
Hungarian engineering companies in the field of vehicle and vehicle part development.

R&D activity in the Hungarian automotive sector8

Since the 1990’s, Hungary has become a new hub for automotive manufacturing. Satisfied
with their results, several leading global manufacturers such as AUDI, GM, ZF, Knorr Bremse
and Bosch have established R&D centres in Hungary. Increasingly, automotive-related
applied R&D is carried out in top universities. A large number of SME-s conduct contract
research in Gyır, Veszprém, Székesfehérvár and Budapest.

Advanced Vehicles and Vehicle Control Knowledge Centre, Budapest University of

Economics and Technology. Research extends to new areas of automotive technology-
related research such as the control of vehicle fleets, vehicle-environment contact-based
control, and control on the vehicle level. Cooperating partners are Knorr Bremse, Thyssen
Krupp and TÜV Nord.

Regional University Knowledge Centre for the Vehicle Industry, University of Gyır.
The Knowledge Centre serves the research and development needs of the automotive
industry in the area of Gyır, such as Rába Undercarriage Ltd, Borsodi Workshop Ltd. and
the SAPU Partnership. Research focuses on key pre-manufacturing technologies and
finishing processing; primarily shaping processes, such as casting and mould-shaping of
metals and manufacturing technologies for plastic parts.

College of Dunaújváros, Department of Mechanics and Mechatronics. The College

offers a range of automotive technology-related testing and research services, including the
determination of force characteristics of control devices and sensors (ABS), dimensional and
fatigue tests of instrument boards. The College co-operates with some of the largest
automotive manufacturers in Hungary, such as Bosch, Hankook and Audi. A new, complex
car mechatronics test laboratory is being set up for suppliers in the metals (Musashi and
DENSO) and the electronics (Bosch) industries.

European Institute of Innovation & Technology. In summer 2008, EU ministers chose

Budapest to host the headquarters of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
The EIT is a new initiative aiming to become a flagship for excellence in European innovation
and face the challenges of globalisation head on. The organisation is the first European
initiative to integrate fully the three sides of the “Knowledge Triangle” (higher education,
research and business innovation) and will seek to stand out as a world-class innovation-

8
Source: ITD Hungary Investment and Trade Development Agency: R&D in Hungary: With business in mind (2010)
58
orientated reference model. The institute concentrates on the fields of energy, climate
change and information technology with the possibility of further broadening its areas of
study.

Main automotive research companies in Hungary9:

• Audi – Gyır: engine development
• AVL – Budapest: engine and powertrain development
• Bosch – Miskolc: electronic hand-tools designing
• Bosch – Budapest: electronic developments
• Continental Teves – Veszprém: development of electronics instruments for cars
• Denso – Székesfehérvár: fuel supplying system development
• DHS Draexlmaier – Érd: vehicle compartment designing
• EDAG – Gyır: vehicle subunit development
• GE Lightings – Budapest: car lighting
• Knorr-Bremse – Budapest: electronic brake-system development
• Magna-Steyr – Gyır: engineering centre
• Continental Temic – Budapest: car electronics development
• Semcon – Budapest: automotive design, informatics
• ThyssenKrupp – Budapest: electronic steering development
• Visteon – Székesfehérvár: vehicle part and subunit development
• WET – Pilisszentiván: electronic subunit development

Innovation challenges of automotive environment, problems10

2008 has been without doubt the most difficult year for the global automotive industry since
World War 2. So far, Hungary have experienced a huge declines in sales (-6%), yet this is
still much lower than those observed in Western Europe. The passenger car market in
Hungary has been declining for a couple of years now, witnessing a 5.8% drop of new
passenger car sales in 2007. Nevertheless, the reasons for the recent downturn on the
Hungarian market are “home-made” rather than driven by international developments. The
focus of the Hungarian government is reducing the budget deficit which is having a negative
impact on both GDP growth and private consumption. Disposable income for private
households decreased by 3.5% in 2007 and was further cut down in 2008. As a matter of
fact, passenger car registrations in the third quarter 2008 were the worst of any quarter since
the turn of the century.

Car density in Hungary is still below the level of other countries in the region. In Hungary, the
number is 316 passenger cars per 1,000 inhabitants, whereas this ratio is 338 in Poland or
even 404 in the Czech Republic (2006). On the other hand, there are still a couple of positive
factors that might help to relaunch new passenger car sales to a level of 200,000 units in
2010 and beyond as projected in early 2008. Considering per capita GDP, new cars are still
cheaper in Hungary compared to other markets in the region. In addition, the trend in car
sales in Hungary is moving from smaller to medium-sized cars or even luxury cars, giving car
dealers an opportunity to earn higher margins if they are active in that market. Luxury brands
such as BMW or Mercedes-Benz showed sales increases of about 20% in the first three
quarters of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007.

9
Source: ITD Hungary Zrt.: The automotive industry in Hungary - Engine of growth (2009)
10
Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers: Survey on car dealer’s market in Hungary (2009)
59
In the light of recent events, it is difficult to foretell the result of car sales in the nearest future.
The largest unknown is the forint exchange rate. The Hungarian currency’s fluctuations
render it impossible to make exact forecasts. The situation will also depend, to a large extent,
on the mood of the consumer, and on whether it will be feasible to calm consumers’
frequently panicky and irrational behaviours in these difficult times.

Innovation challanges

Several foreign investors are considering the possibility of relocating production from
Hungary unless there is a marked improvement in productivity within a short period of time. A
further problem is that companies do not know how their results compare to those of their
competitors and international standards.
In order to be able to maintain competitiveness of the automotive industry despite of growing
labour costs, ruthless competition and an unfavourable economic environment, international
best practices should be introduced in areas where the performance of companies is below
that of the industry leaders. This should not be effected in isolated areas, but within the
framework of an integrated, well proven philosophy and methodology.
11
Tab. 2.7 Hungary's network of car producers and suppliers :
Western Central Southern Central Northern Northern Southern
Transdanubia Transdanubia Transdanubia Hungary Hungary Great-Plain Great-Plain

Arcelor AFL BHG AVL Csabacast Caroflex Continental

Audi Ajkai Elektronika CabTec Cascade Akzo-Nobel Carrier Phoenix
Autoliv Albert Weber Ratipur Clarion Coating Transicold Csaba Metal
B.O.S. Alcoa Continental ARRK Eagle Ottawa Eckerle
BPW Rába Asahi Glass Catalyst Bosch Eismann Emika
Dana Benteler Continental Delphi- EMCON Hirschmann
Delphi Packard Borg Warner Temic Calsonic Technologies Kaloplasztik
Edag Bourns ContiTech Delta-Tech Euroszol Knorr-Bremse
EMT Bridgestone Draexlmaier Exir F.Segura Kunplast-
Erbslöh Continental EMT Firth Rixson Hajdu Autó Karsai
Euro Exedy Teves Excel Csepel Ganz Hübner Linamar
Euro-Elzett Denso FESTO Foundry Isringhausen PATA
Eybl Diamond GE Lighting Gibbs Le Bélier ThyssenKrupp
Federal Mogul Electric Hokushin Hi-Lex Michelin
GM Powertrain Euro Exedy Ibiden Knaus- Nief
Gyôri Plast Gedia Lear Tabbert Phoenix
Hirschler-Glas Gestamp MGM Kovács Schaeffler AG
Kravtex Hammerstein Michelin Lear
Magna Steyr Hankook Mono- Leoni
Nemak ITW Siewer Ipolyfabric Mitsuba
Rába Karsai Plast NABI Modine
Rekard Produkt Kirchhof PEMÜ Prec-Cast
Rudolph Logistik Le Bélier Schwarzmüller Remy
Schaeffler AG Lear Siemens VDO Saia-
Sempeform Magyarmet Tauril Burgess
Veritas Michels ThyssenKrupp Salgglas
Visiocorp Musashi Toyo Seat Shinwa
Vogel und Noot Plasticor Vogel-Sitze Stanley
Plastimat W.E.T. Electric
Rába Automotive Starter
SCI Sanmina Webasto Battery
SEWS Zollner Technoplast
Suoftec ZF Hungária
Suzuki
Toyo Seat
U-Shin
Valeo
Videoton
Visteon
Wescast

11
Source: ITD Hungary Zrt.: The automotive industry in Hungary - Engine of growth (2009)
60
Hungary's network of automotive suppliers12

Pic. 2.11: Supplier Network in Hungary

Source: Kalman Meszaros, dr. Commercial Counsellor (ITD Hungary): Automotive Industry - Securing Automotive Investments
in the New Member States (Brussels, 4th November 2008)

12
Source: Kalman Meszaros, dr. Commercial Counsellor (ITD Hungary): Automotive Industry - Securing Automotive
Investments in the New Member States (Brussels, 4th November 2008)

61
Automotive industry in Slovenia

Slovenia has a long industrial tradition. From the beginning of the automotive industry at the
end of the 19 century, Slovenia has been following its development and has been providing
technical and researchable contribution. Gradually Slovenia has strengthened the economic
purpose of the automotive industry in the national economy. A well known person who can
take credit for development of automobilism in the 19 century Austria was Janez Puh. He
was born in Sakušaki, near Juršinci in Slovenske Gorice. In 1900 he manufactured his first
motorbike, a tricycle with single - cylinder engine in Graz and the mass production started in
1906. The first industrial production of buses in Avtomonta a in Ljubljana started in 1936.
This factory was one of the first in Europe that manufactured buses with steel body work.
The upturn of production of industrial vehicles, first trucks, later also buses, followed after the
end of the Second World War, in the early fifties in Maribor. TAM Factory of Automobiles
Maribor manufactured vehicles and motors under licence and cooperational contract with
Deutz from Germany. This production had a major influence on production of component
parts or components, first in Maribor, then in Slovenia and other areas of former Yugoslavia.

The production of personal vehicles in 1959 started in Novo mesto with the establishment of
IMV Industry ofmotor vehicles (already in 1954 the production of delivery vehicles started).
The production of personal vehicles DKW started first, followed by the production of BLMC
vehicles and from 1972, they have been producing vehicles Renault. Since 1960 at TOMOS
in Koper personal vehicles Citroen were assembled; this was continued in CIMOS in
Šempeter pri Gorici first and later in Koper until 1985. After that extensive production of
automotive parts began; first for Citroen and later for other global vehicle manufacturers and
system suppliers. After Slovenia became independent in 1991 the production of commercial
vehicles was significantly reduced after the loss of markets in former Yugoslavia and other
eastern markets and due to transitional deindustrialisation. The production of automotive
components, especially for personal vehicles, transferred most of its production to Western
European markets, especially to Germany and France.

The structure of automotive industry in Slovenia

Slovenian automotive suppliers industry includes about 95 producers that can be mainly
defined as Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers. There are also Tier 1 system suppliers of pedal boxes,
gear shift mechanisms, braking systems and other assemblies at CIMOS, auto-electric
equipment at Iskra Avtoelektrika, ignition systems and electronics at AET, seats at TPV,
bowden cables at TBP, headlights at Hella Lux. The buyers of components for the first
implementation from Slovenia are VW, BMW, Audi, DC, MAN, Bosch, Ford in Germany,
Renault, PSA, Brose in France, Lombardini, Landini, Fiat in Italy, Magna Steyr, Grammer in
Austria and many others, also in England, the USA, Spain, Hungary and many other
countries. These companies have an intensive development in introducing automatic
systems into the production process and they are also flexible in adjustments to customers'
needs.

62
 Pic. 2.12

The Slovenian automotive supply industry's annual turnover exceeds 3,7 billion Euros 80%,
of which comes from the export of goods and services to the EU and rest of the world
Together with car production in REVOZ it represents approx. 20% of complete Slovenian
export and 6% of DPH. In 2008 slovenian suppliers spent over 3% of sales turnover for R&D
and invest 12% of sales turnover into new technology equipment in average.

The automotive sector in Slovenia today is represented by the production of personal

vehicles Renault in company Revoz where 900 Clios Storia and Twigos are produced per
day and a well developed automotive suppliers industry with about 95 big, medium-sized and
small companies that are followed by over several 100`s specialized small companies that
they cooperate with. The production of commercial vehicles has been becoming more active
and has been gradually spreading its suppliers' network. The production of personal vehicles
represents about 9% of the overall value of goods and services export form Slovenia. The
production of component parts or components for automotive industry (and accessories)
reaches the value over 1, 5 billion EUR, from that value around 80% is exported, which is
close to 10% of Slovenian export of goods and services. Buyers are car producers and
system suppliers in EU are (Germany 40%, France 21%, Italy 8%, Austria 6%, England 6%,
USA 4%, Spain 3%...). Export of buses and other economy vehicles is around 30 million
EUR. Over 140 million EUR represent the export of special tools and machines and
investment and supporting services for automotive industry in EU. The whole section of
automotive industry, vehicles and production of automotive parts, has directly involved
around 27,500 employees, it represents 19% of all export of goods and services of Slovenia
and it creates 6% GDP (indirectly more than 100,000 employees). Automotive section is
above average in the field of investments, especially in investments into new production
technological equipment, which guaranties the quality of vehicles and components and also
assures high productivity. The competition due to relatively high labor force price (salary and
other obligations that employers have) in comparison with the competition in Central and
Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia) is achieved by Slovenian
automotive and automotive component parts' producers by using high technology, innovation
and labor force quality.

Investments into “soft factors”, are particularly high especially investments into training and
extra qualifications of the employees (learning companies), into motivation of the employees
and into efficient organization and managing quality. Numerous producers of automotive
components have already obtained global certificates ISO TS 16949 (3/4 of ACS members!)
Before that, they already had, because of their export intensity, VDA 6.1, EAQF and QS
9000. Big investments are also meant for the welfare of the environment, in accordance with
strict EU regulations that Slovenia obeys; therefore numerous companies in automotive
section have already acquired environment certificates ISO 14001.
63
The following are top 10 locations of the automotive supply base and manufacturing industry.
For each we indicate maximum 4 automotive relevant sub-industries, number of companies
in each sub-industry and the respective number of fulltime equivalent employees. As you
could see the locations are widely spread in all Slovenia:

- sub-region Dolenjska&Posavje (Novo Mesto)

 vehicle manufacturing, 1 company, 3,000 employees
 body interior, 5 companies, 900 employees
 small parts, 5 companies, 300 employees
 electrical, 1 company, 150 employees

- sub-region Severna Primorska (Nova Gorica, Tolmin, Idrija)

 engine, 2 companies, 3,000 employees
 powertrain, 1 company, 400 employees
 machinery, 2 companies, 200 employees
 production technology, 1 company, 250 employees

- sub-region Južna Primorska (Koper)

 powertrain, 1 company, 1,200 employees
 engine, 1 company, 800 employees
 production technology, 2 companies, 800 employees
 machinery, 1 company, 250 employees

- sub-region Notranjska (Postojna, Lož)

 body interior, 1 company, 400 employees
 machinery, 2 companies, 400 employees
 miscellaneous parts, 2 companies, 250 employees

- sub-region Ljubljana (Ljubljana)

 body exterior, 1 company, 600 employees
 machinery, 1 company, 300 employees
 production technology, 3 companies, 1,100 employees
 electrical, 1 company, 250 employees

- sub-region Gorenjska (Kranj, Škofja Loka)

 electrical, 4 companies, 600 employees
 powertrain, 2 companies, 800 employees
 production technology, 4 companies, 1,200 employees
 machinery, 4 companies, 250 employees

- sub-region Celje&Zreče
 machinery, 3 companies, 700 employees
 powertrain, 2 companies, 1,200 employees

- sub-region Maribor
 vehicle manufacturing, 1 company, 200 employees
 powertrain, 3 companies, 1,700 employees
 production technologies, 2 companies, 800 employees
 electrical, 1 company, 150 employees

- sub-region Koroška (Slovenj gradec, Ravne, Velenje)

 body interior, 5 company, 2,000 employees
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  body exterior, 1 company, 350 employees
 machinery, 1 company, 200 employees
 production technology, 2company, 1,500 employees

- sub-region Kidričevo, Štore

 production technology, 1 company, 600 employees
 materials technology, 1 company, 800 employees

Tab. 2.8

Automotive Research and Development

Planning and the introduction of a new product is a time-consuming process that can take
years and even decades, therefore the expenses connected to this process are extremely
high and for this reason the realisation of such a project is only possible in cooperation with
the researchers (developers) from the company with external research institutions that have
the knowledge. In all this the “available technological” environment and available sources are
of key importance. In Slovenian automotive industry the research and development are
directed towards the market requirements and the increase of profit. Slovenian automotive
industry is doing business under pressure of fast changes and therefore it has limited
resources for the research and development which is then supplemented by using the
resources from universities. Currently more than 1,000 registered researchers are connected
with Slovenian automotive industry at faculties, independent R&D institutes and R&D centres
in the companies. Important automotive related indipendent R&D centres are:

- University of Ljubljana, Faculty for mechanical engineering, Laboratory for Structural

Evaluation
 Development and evaluation of structures and participation in development of metal
and plastic parts and sets – car components
 Research and participation in development of automotive products (Bowden cables,
 springs, latches and batteries)

- University of Maribor, Faculty for mechanical engineering

 Determination of car components life
 Car security research by means of crash simulation

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- University of Maribor, Faculty for electrical engineering
 Research and development of magnetic sets, reciprocating engines, systems of
 power electronics, adjustment and control

- TECOS, Slovenian Tool and Die Development Centre

 Optimisation of injection moulding plastics products and technology
 Optimisation of sheet metal products and tool manufacturing

- University of Ljubljana, Faculty for natural sciences and engineering

 Introduction of ecologically sound materials and technologies
 Development of shape memory AlCuNi alloys
 Research and development of materials for turbochargers
 Optimisation of thermochemical treatment of steel semi products for the automotive
 industry

- University of Ljubljana, Faculty for electrical engineering

 ASIC design for automotive applications, sensor structures
 Discrete semiconductor sensors
 Road scene recognition

Important R&D centres within the companies (according to their product and technology
focus) are:
 ISKRA Avtoelektrika
 CIMOS
 Hidria AET
 Hidria Rotomatika
 UNIOR
 TPV
 PREVENT
 TBP
 KOVINOPLASTIKA
 ISKRA Mehanizmi
 ISKRA ISD
 others

66
Automotive industry in Romania

History of Automotive Industry in Romania

The beginnings of the Automotive industry in Romania was have their roots in the
interdictions imposed to the Romanian aviation industry at the end of the World War II. The
new industry started at the beginning of the 1950s and has grown and diversified since the
1970s especially. It included manufacturers of tractors, trucks, buses, off-road vehicles and
cars.

S. C. Tractor UTB S.A., Brasov

The IAR (Romanian Aviation Company, founded in 1924) plant found itself at the end
of World War II 70% destroyed by bombing so the aircraft manufacture was discontinued.
Due to ban imposed to Romania to build planes, on May 20, 1946 the government decided to
re-orientate plant production to tractors. On December 26, 1946 first tractor was leaving the
assembly hall. In 1947 the name change in Intreprinderea Metalurgică de Stat (State
Metallurgical Enterprises), and in 1948 became UTB - Uzina de Tractoare Braşov (Brasov
Tractor Plant). The production volume increased from 250 tractors (1947), 773 (1948), 2000
(1949) to 3460 (1950), and in 1949 they started to manufacture the improved version and 23.
In 1948 it was formed the first joint Soviet-Romanian (Sovrom) through which the Soviets
wanted to control the country's economic activity. UTB also did not escaped, so that the end
of 1948 to form Sovromtractor. Soviet directors imposed assimilation in manufacturing of
soviet models. In 1954 the Sovromtractor company was disbanded and it immediately
passed to modernize production. Original tractor models were introduced in 1958 and other
model were assimilated. By 1990 diversification continued, although the growing involvement
of the Communist Party and state leadership of the plant have seriously disrupted the work.
In 1990, the government decided to set up SC UTB tractor S.A. Brasov. Following
reconstruction of property rights of individuals on land which was to boost agricultural
activities, loom a prosperous period for the company. The sharp increase in prices of tractors
and permanent reduction of purchasing power have made these predictions to be infirmed.
For comparison, while in 1987 the plant produced 44,000 tractors, ten years later, in 1997
production had fallen to just 1300 units (far under the profit level of 22,000 units annually). As
a result, since 1995, the company began to record losses, which materialize in early 1998
over 300 billion debt to the state budget and more than 100 billion debt to the social security
budget. Moreover, the lack of liquidity made it impossible to honor the important external
commands.

S.C. ROMAN S.A., Brasov

First Romanian truck, model SR-101, Steagul Roşu (Red Flag) was produced in 1954.
It was followed by more sophisticated models SR-131 of 3 tons (1962), SR-113 Bucegi of 5
tons (1963), SR-114 and SR-115. From 1969 the plant started the production of the first
diesel engines under MAN license (West Germany). In 1971 the ROMAN series models are
launched. After 1984, the product range has widened with heavy trucks (30 tons or more) as
DAC series. Total production exceeded 650,000 units. After 1990, the low technical level of
products performance and low reliability, high price and market development of imported
trucks led to the decline of Romanian truck production. The company currently has debts of
more than 140 million USD, an output of only 5% of that of year 1989, which ordered the
government to put in a special administration.

S.C. ROCAR S.A., Bucharest

In 1956 it was set up in Bucharest the “Autobuzul” Company intended to build vehicles
for public transport. After a year in 1957, producing the first bus TV-1 and the first trucks in
1958 (van) TV-4. Over the years it has developed a wide range of models, permanently
67
improved. After 1990 the company name becomes s.c. ROCAR S.A. In terms of quality and
product reliability is sufficient to mention that in 1991 the company offered a guarantee for its
car 6 months or 10,000 kilometers. The company currently has no orders, is in financial jam.

S.C. ARO S.A., Campulung Muscel

The first land rover vehicle in Romania was born in 1957 in the Intreprinderea
Mecanică Muscel (Muscel Mechanical Company) and was named IMS 57. Since 1970 the
company name becomes ARO (meaning the Romanian Vehicle) models launched the ARO
M 461 and ARO 24 series. In 1979 appears a smaller range of models codified ARO 10. The
weak part of the vehicle was the motor for both ARO 24 ARO 10 modles. That is why, after
1990, the company attempted motor the vehicles with foreign equipment (Renault, Peugeot,
Ford, Daewoo, etc..). Domestic demand for such vehicles was relatively low, prices being
prohibitive, while on foreign markets, even if sel at low prices, sales volume was low because
body and outdated facilities. Company's debts reached 30 million USD in 1994, the situation
continued to worsen. With an annual production capacity of 20,000 units and a break-even
point of about 3,000 cars per year, the company was below this threshold ARO, producing
only on demand. In September 2003 Romanian government sold the company to American
company “Cross Lander”. In the privatization contract were sought some 2 million US
investments but nothing was really finalized, in the end the equipment of the factory was sold
out.

S.C. Automobile Dacia S.A., Pitesti

On August 20, 1968 UAP -Uzina de Autoturisme Piteşti (Pitesti car plant) opened -
UAP (then named Enterprise Cars Pitesti), with the launch of Dacia 1100, made under
Renault 8 license. After a year in 1969, entered into manufacturing Dacia 1300 made also as
a Renault 12 license. This series recorded a high longevity in Romania and in the world. This
last model began to be exported in 1973. Over time there has been a number of variants:
Dacia 1300 Break (1973), Dacia 1310 Dacia 1210 Dacia 1410 (differences mainly of different
amount of engine cylinder capacity), Dacia 1410 Sport ( resulting in modiying body by the
elimination of two doors), Dacia 1304 Pick-up (truck) and Dacia 1307 (double cabin). The
Romanian Communist Party leadership called on the achievement of a new model is
launched in 1988 Dacia 1320 (CN1 - Building Our No. 1).
Although moral and having overcome a relatively low reliability, however, Dacia was
and remained the most popular and most widely owned Romanian car, first because of its
price, simplicity of construction, availability of spare parts and the availability of large
networks repair. Since its establishment until 1989 the company produced the 1.4 million of
Dacia, and to date has achieved a cumulative production of over 2 million cars, of which
about 32% were exported.
After 1990, the plant became SCAutomobile Dacia Pitesti and held talks with several
car manufacturers, in trying to find a strategic partner to enable upgrade technology and
models. In 1997 SC Automobile Dacia SA signed a cooperation agreement with Hyundai
Motor Company for providing the assembly in Pitesti, of the Hyundai Accent, alongside the
production of Dacia, starting with 1999. Due to the economic crisis occurring in Southeast
Asia, Hyundai was forced to revise its strategy and to denounce the agreement. With a
collapse in exports and a fall in domestic sales, business survival depended on finding a
strong investor. In 1999, Renault bought 51% stake in SC Automobile Dacia S.A. and agreed
to keep Dacia trademark and to make investments worth 219.7 million.

S.C. Oltcit S.A., Craiova

In the second half of 1970 state party leaders decided to produce in Romania a small
car and affordable for young people. In 1977 started the collaboration with the French
manufacturer Citroen, being established a joint venture Oltcit. (Oltenia Citroen). It was
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looking to achie a two-door car derived from the Citroen Visa, equipped with air-cooled boxer
engine, with engine capacity of 652 cm3 op (Oltcit Special), 1129 cm3 (Oltcit Club), 1299
cm3 (Citroen Axel exclusively produce for export).
Location of the new plant was decided by Nicolae Ceauşescu in 1977, in Zero series
are produced in 1980 and in 1981 the two models for the domestic market are presented at
Bucharest International Fair - TIB "81.Series production began in 1982. In order to reduce
imports, the leadership of party and state has imposed significant construction changes, the
adaptation of components from Dacia models. The resulted modeles (Oltcit 11 RT, RM and
RL) were not accepted by the French and were marketed under the name Oltena. Anul 1989
marked the completion of a four-door model, introduced in TIB "89 but has not entered into
production. The manufacturing never obtained profit, on contrary from each car fit resulted a
loss of about 1300USD. În 1989 were produced only 30,511 cars were even the profit level
was at about 80,000 pcs / year.
After 1990 in Romania were sold the Oltenia Club 12 model (s) and a pick-up (truck)
model. The complex manufacturing process of the engine, air cooling, high fuel consumption,
body with only two doors and price comparable to that of Dacia have made Oltcitul not
succeed on the Romanian market Overall the there have been produced over 200,000 units,
some of which were delivered for export.

Company car in Timisoara (IAT)

Some attempt was made also for very small car segment. The design activity began in
1980, by 1984 were accomplished several prototypes and the approval took place 1985. For
producing this car was built a factory in Timisoara, where Zero series was done that was
certified in 1987. In January 1989 was shipped the first batch of Dacia 500 Lăstun. The year
1989 was the only year of production of this model. The model of inspiration for the body
was the Lancia Y 10 (Autobianchi) but made of polyester reinforced fiberglass, poorly
dressed and leak-proved. The two cylinder in line motor, air cooled (499 cm3/22 PA),
obtained by cutting an Oltcit Club engine, was a failure.
After 1990 production was stopped and have not been executed even spare parts. The
company even split in four companies that produced equipment for agriculture. There were
produced and sold a total of 3584 pieces the business generated a loss of 300,000 million lei
in in 1990 value.

Daewoo Automobile Romania

The company Daewoo Automobile Romania was founded in 1994 as a joint venture
between Daewoo group, represented by Daewoo Heavy Industry - which owned 51% of the
shares, and the Romanian state, represented by Automobile Craiova, with 49% of the
shares.
Daewoo Automobile Romania has produced city cars Tico and Matiz, small family cars
Cielo and Nubira and large family cars Espero and Leganza.
General Motors and other partners took over in 2002 a part of Korean company
Daewoo Motor assets, bankrupt, but not counted among the assets and business in Craiova.
In 2004, Daewoo Motor has proposed to the Romanian Government selling stock that
they held in Daewoo Automobile Romania, Romanian company debt conversion that they
have to Daewoo group companies and selling the package resulting from the conversion.
In 2006 the Romanian authorities started to search for buyers for Daewoo Automobile
Craiova, after the state took over the stake of South Korean group in the Romanian
company.

69
Romanian Automotive Industry in the last decade
Romania's automotive industry has grown rapidly since 2000, with sales of 180,927
units in 2004, up from 84,170 units in 2000. The passenger car industry is the most important
segment of the market, with 80% of total sales in 2004.
Vehicles manufactured in Romania accounted for 67.5% of total sales in 2004 (down
from 92.9% in 2000). Romania's top vehicle maker was Dacia, owned by Renault of France,
with 44.2% share of total sales in 2004, followed by Daewoo Automobile Romania (15.1%),
owned by Daewoo of the Republic of Korea. Relatively low labor costs, and unimpeded
access to the European automotive market are some of the main reasons for the relatively
high penetration of foreign firms into Romania's automotive subsector, including autoparts.
Romania was a net importer of automotive products: exports amounted to US$751.5
million in 2004 (US$197 million in 2000), while imports reached US$2.5 billion in 2004, up
from US$430.8 million in 2000. The auto industry employed 3.5% of workers in the
manufacturing sector.
MFN tariffs on motor vehicles average 21.5%, with rates ranging up to 30%. In addition
to customs duties, motor vehicles are subject to: an excise duty between 0 and 9% for new
vehicles, and between 1.5% and 27% for used vehicles; VAT at 19%; and a road tax of 5%.
In principle, the excise duty, VAT, and road tax apply to domestically produced and imported
vehicles. Romania has different customs valuation rules for new and used motor vehicles,
including cars, all-terrain vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, and trailers.
Romania has revitalized its automotive industry, mainly by attracting foreign direct
investment, through inter alia, incentive schemes, including state aid granted to Dacia and
lately Ford. Some other companies, such as Daewoo, became eligible for exemption of
customs duties, and tax holidays on profits, by investing at least US$50 million in the
industry, producing with a Romanian content of at least 50%, and exporting a minimum 50%
of annual production. These incentives were eliminated in 2002.
In addition, Daimler is planning to establish a manufacturing venture in Romania, also
in the mini- and small car segment. Given these developments, the Romanian car industry
will witness a major boost over the next year.
As production was moving towards East Europe countries Romania’s role in
automotive industry has steadily increased. This was possible based on the following factors:
• Romania had and still has one of the lowest production costs in Europe
• Investment in production facilities in Romania leads to a stronger market presence in
Europe for non European companies and presence in East Europe and proximity of
ex Soviet Countries for European and non European companies

Opening car production and automotive parts in Romania increased competition and
lead to continuous price reduction in the small and medium car segment. Renault continuous
process of cutting costs (through Dacia models) increased the operation in Romania in order
to stay competitive.
A big amount of R&D is outsourced by foreign companies to local subsidiaries opened
in Romania. Dacia has started to outsource some of its R&D activities to suppliers and many
foreign suppliers have established R&D and production activities in Romania in order to meet
Dacia’s demand.
In the commercial vehicle industry sector there was no globalization of the vehicle
production though some attempts were made to sign strategic collaborations with important
foreign companies. The present Romanian production of commercial vehicles is low and
strictly oriented to the local market.
Increased competition from abroad has reduced significantly the sales of Romanian
commercial vehicles. Large commercial vehicle producers were considering the possibility to

70
open production facilities in Romani. Exploring the possibilities to find suppliers in Romania,
these initiatives provide opportunities for T1 suppliers to start operations in the country.

Automotive Clusters in Romania

Pic. 2.12: Map of automotive clusters in Romania

Romanian Automotive statistics

Tab.2.9: Data for car production, assembling, export, import and sales.
Cars Production and Export Import Sales
assembling
1998 103,931 3,817 13,530 115,833
1999 88,313 2,053 6,764 97,144
2000 64,181 7,772 14,430 66,276
2001 56,774 13,257 23,828 72,157
2002 65,266 11,008 34,277 88,804
2003 75,706 9,230 42,145 106,763
2004 98,997 16,985 58,165 145,120
2005 174,538 58,653 102,043 215,532
2006 201,663 80,032 137,252 256,364
2007 234,103 121,866 204,719 260,621
2008 231,056 153,595 189,050 270,995

300000

250000 Production and

assembling
200000
Export
150000
Import
100000

50000 Sales

0
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
Pic. 2.13: Evolution of car production, assembling, export, import and sales

71
 Tab.2.10: Data for commercial vehicles production, assembling, export, import and sales.
Commercial Production and Export Import Sales
vehicles assembling
1998 22,706 827 4,547 26,582
1999 18,506 684 3,695 21,468
2000 13,948 1,596 5,324 17,440
2001 11,611 1,025 6,854 19,005
2002 14,172 1,063 9,165 22,135
2003 19,540 2,189 10,297 27,873
2004 23,188 2,449 13,809 34,623
2005 20,264 75 18,700 39,235
2006 11,926 446 26,369 38,285
2007 7,599 685 40,963 47,961
2008 14,241 2,503 39,352 48,920

50000

40000 Production and

assembling
30000 Export

20000 Import

10000 Sales

0
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
Pic. 2.14: Evolution of commercial car production, assembling, export, import and sales

Tab. 2.11: Data for buses production, assembling, export, import and sales.
Buses Production and Export Import Sales
assembling
1998 267 0 291 520
1999 78 0 123 305
2000 36 0 417 454
2001 40 0 358 358
2002 18 0 998 1,061
2003 6 0 663 669
2004 0 0 1,184 1,184
2005 0 0 1,647 1,647
2006 8 0 2,506 2,513
2007 10 0 3,227 3,237
2008 11 0 4,153 4,165

72
 4500
4000
Production and
3500
assembling
3000
Export
2500
2000
Import
1500
1000
Sales
500
0
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008
Pic. 2.15: Evolution of buses production, assembling, export, import and sales.
Data based on “Buletin statistic auto Apia”

Romanian Automotive industry in 2009

In 2009 Romanian auto industry and the market dropped by half compared to 2008
which had a notable influence on the car production.
Dacia suspended activity during January 26 to February 8, following the dramatic and
continuing decline of auto market, particularly that of Romania. After production stop, Dacia
has restart car manufacturing particularly because of good sells in Germany. Therefore it
was forced to take the new measures to grow production from 1085 to 1200 cars a day. Sells
rose also on Romania market after the quotas allocated in the “Rabla” program were
approved. Number of machines available was supplemented to 60,000, and the first to
dispose of and it increased to 3,800 lei. Due to increase demand of cars on internal and
foreign market, Dacia ecruited another 500 people as of June 15. In July Dacia celebrated
10th anniversary of collaboration with Renault. In November, Dacia has presented the name
and model of competing lines Duster. The car piloted by Alain Prost was launched in the
Andros Trophy.
In March, Dacia has presented the first time in Romania the company's first concept
car which was later launched in Generva Motor Show. Duster is an MPV (Multi Purpose
Vehicle) with high figure (1.49 m), generous wheelbase (2.80 m) and compact dimensions
(4.25 m long, 1.64 m wide). Another model, Stepway Sandro which was started to be sold on
the Romanian market in the second half of June 2009, was presented in Barcelona
Ford Romania received Senate approval in early February for the allocation of State
aid necessary for investment in car production which will worth 143 million euros by 2012.
In September Ford launched it first model manufactured in its factory in Craiova after in
May was approved the 400 million loan from the European Investment Bank. The same bank
approved Renault a loan of 83 million Euros for the project Renault Technologie Roumanie
(RTR) in Titu where a Research and Development Center is being built for testing and
refinement of Renault technologies.
Germany's PREH GmbH in Bad Neustadt / Saale started production of multifunctional
steering wheel switches and adjustable air conditioning systems. in March in a new factory,
located in Brasov. Here are products The plant S.C.. PREH Romania SRL employed 95
people with the plan to increase staff by 250 persons. The plant currently operates on a work
surface 4700 meters, with a planned gradual expansion to 11,000 meters.

73
Romanian manufacturers

At the moment in Romania are 3 manufacturers which produce automotive vehicles in four
categories:
• passenger cars
• light trucks
• heavy trucks
• buses

Pic. 2.16: Diagram of vehicle manufacturers in Romania

Pic. 2.17: Map of vehicle maufacturers locations in Romania

Tab. 2.12: Vehicle manufacturers in Romania and their characteristics

Dacia became one of Renault Group’s brands on 2nd July 1999, under the
privatization contract, having as its main mission to sustain the Group’s
development on emerging markets. In 2004, Dacia launches the Dacia Logan, with
its two 1.4 and 1.6 petrol versions. The CKD (ILN) Exports Centre is inaugurated in
2005, at the same time as the third Logan model – the 1.5 dCi version. In 2005, the
Logan lead Dacia to beat all its production (172,000 units) and sales (164,000 units)
records.
Dacia product range consists of Logan Sedan, Logan MCV, Logan Van, Logan
Pick-Up, Dacian Sandero and Dacia Sandero Stepway. The Dacia Duster will be
lauched in 2010.
Employees
around 13,000
Capacity and products
350,000 units a year
74
 6 car models
gasoline, diesel and LPG engines
Plant Size
site: 310,000 m2
Investment amount
Euro 1.5 billion
Ford company bought in 2007 72,4 million EUR the Automobile Craiova company
(owned by Romanian Government after it has bought it form South-Korean
Daewoo). After several talk rounds and fixing problems raised by the EU (which
claimed the return of illegal state aids provided by Romanian government), Ford
company started to renew technology of the production units. Now owing 90% of
the company, Ford foresees an investment of 800 million EUR, a production of
200,000 units per year starting with 2012
Employees
around 3,900
Capacity and products
1,000 units (September-december) 2009
1 car model (Ford Transit)
Plant Size
site: 109 ha
Investment amount
Euro 1.2 billion Euro
Employees
around 4,500
Capacity and products
1 bus model
3 truck models
>20 special heavy vehicles for civil utilitarian, military, oil transport and
special uses
Plant Size
site: 100 ha
Investment amount
Euro 50 million Euro

Supplier sector
The Romanian car parts industry has experienced rapid expansion over the last five
years as several large foreign parts producers established production plants in the country.
The automotive industry in Romania had until recently two large foreign vehicle makers,
Daewoo and Renault. Numerous parts production plants have opened in to support these
facilities. 58% of the spare parts used by Daewoo were domestically produced and Daewoo
co-operated with 226 Romanian producers who supply more than 1,000 parts.
The Romanian automotive supplier sector has followed the evolution of the car
producer in Romania. The major car production facilities located in Pitesti, Craiova, Braşov
and Bucureşti has concentrated most of the supplier companies. These companies had to
face the changes car producer went through.
Before 1990 all suppliers were producing for national car producers in Pitesti, Craiova,
Brasov, Bucuresti, Campulung and Timisoara. When Romania started to open to foreign
investors, a lot of Western European and international automotive suppliers have open
subsidiaries in Romania based on the existence of a relatively skillful but cheap working
force.
The current situation provides excellent opportunities for suppliers of all tiers. Ford is
partly looking for a new supplier network and Daimler will also be looking for low-cost but
good quality suppliers to support their strategy. Currently, the Romanian automotive industry
consists of a limited number of players (as compared for example with Poland).

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 Structure of supply chain is composed by 1-Tier, 2-Tier, 3-Tier suppliers and other
small and medium enterprises.

Pic. 2.18: Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers in Romania

Strengths and Weakness of Automotive Industry in Romania

Strengths:
- Strategic location between West, Central Europe and Ex Soviet countries
which are markets with great development potential (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus,
Moldova)
- Piteşti is near the country capital and the biggest airport. First (oldest) highway
between Piteşti and Bucharest
- Stable macroeconomic environment
- Strong mechanical engineering tradition
- Traditionally quality technical education and built domestic R&D network
- Presence of two world-class car producers and suppliers

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 - Good quantity of local sub-suppliers
- Growing cooperation activities between industry and universities with a
industry more willing to invest in universities
- Cheap and relatively high qualified labour force
- Government open to foreign investments in automotive industry. Facilities
offered for strategic investors.
- Long tradition for the cooperation between Dacia and Renault
- Paired manufacturing and R&D centre developed by Renault
Weaknesses:
- Educational system suffering from insufficient financing, insufficient
involvement of private financing
- R&D potential of universities and R&D institutions not in the nearby of
assembling facilities is not efficiently used.
- Sub financing of Universities and R&D institutes.
Opportunities:
- New supplier opportunities due to relocation of global automotive and
electronics R&D towards East-Europe countries
- Support for the innovative environment in the automotive industry
- Development of Autoclusters (only one cluster for the moment, in Timisoara)
- Strengthening cooperation between car producers, sub-suppliers, engineering
companies and universities as well as the openness of universities towards
cooperation with industries
- Opportunities for the creation of new high innovative small to medium size
companies
- More efficient use of research networks under national and EU framework
programs and their results
Threats:
- Unbalanced external dependency of the automotive sector
- Car manufacturing and thus product suppliers are concentrated in the
southern part of Romania

77
Automotive industry in Bulgaria

History
The Automotive industry is outcome and assembly of almost all industry branches. It starts
with the design, and then comes everything else: metallurgy – chassis and engines, electrical
wiring, electronics, rubber and plastic - sealing profiles, hoses, and etc.
In the early 20th century Bulgaria was rapidly industrialized and in the end of the twenties
prototypes of the first Bulgarian buses and trucks based on chassis of Fiat, Chevrolet and
Mercedes were manufactured.
After World War II the whole industry was controlled by the government therefore, there were
several unsuccessful attempts to start mass production of licensed western Europe car
models such as Fiat 124, Renault 8 /10, Alpine. A few car prototypes were also built by the
state enterprise Balkancar. Finally Moskvitch prevailed as in 1966 began import of parts and
assembly of the Moskvitch 408 and 412 from USSR. In 1985 40% of the parts were
manufactured in Bulgaria. In Bulgaria were produced also public transport buses, coaches
and trucks in collaboration with MAN, Shkoda, GAZ and others.
During the communist period most of Bulgarian automotive industry was merged under the
name Balkancar. Balkancar was pride of its forklift trucks powered by electrical engines.
They were exported not only in the countries of the former Eastern Europe, but in Japan. A
project still attractive today is the Balkancar universal hybrid car, introduced in September
1988 and designed as an original design with easy to replace (or combination of) driving
force - muscle power and electric motor powered by batteries and solar energy.

Helioscar by Balcancar.

Automotive industry today

The complete economic reconstruction in Bulgaria ruined the whole status of the industry.
There were 2 - 3 automotive plants left producing some spare parts. But after 2002, clear
expectations were set for Bulgarian membership in the European Union. Since then, in
Bulgaria were invested about 1 billion euro in companies supplying components to
automobile manufacturers in Europe.
French automotive parts maker Montupet has selected Bulgaria for investments of 50 million
for a euro project. The plant will produce aluminum parts for engines, braking systems, and
chassis. The car parts that will be produced in Rousse town will be used in Renault, Peugeot,
Audi, and Ford. The expected exports volumes in the first year are worth 20 million euro.
For some years now, Bulgaria's automotive pride during presentations abroad - a subsidiary
of Belgian EPIQ, the Botevgrad-based auto electronics plant now exports production for
some 50 million euro a year. Among the companies which have built their own production
facilities are the UK William Hughes, Japan Yazaki Corporation and Sumitomo Electric
Bordnetze.

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There has been strong interest in recent times, but rather in greenfield investments than in
cooperation with the old Bulgarian factories. The latest example is the intention of Swedish
Consilium which invested more than five million euro in the site Iliyantsi, near Sofia.
Bulgaria has become also an attractive place for Turkish investments. The first companies
which turned their eyes toward Bulgaria were Arkomat and Nursan Automotive.
World economic crisis further reinforced the position of Bulgaria, because of the lower
production costs in Bulgaria.

Recent investments still under construction:

A positive element in the automobile industry in Bulgaria are the plans of the Chinese
company Great Wall Motor ltd for complete assembly of automobiles around Lovech town –
the Coolbear minivans and other models suitable for Bulgaria, for which more than 6 million
dollars have been already invested. The representatives of the Chinese auto corporation and
their partners from Litex Motors promise that the car will be available on the market by the
end of 2010. Coolbear has a 1.5 l motor with 103 h.p. corresponding to the Euro 5 and the
design of the car looks very much like Toyota Scion xD, but it will be much cheaper. The
manufacturing also of other Great Wall models is planned – Florid sedan, Wingle pickup
and the Hover 5 crossover as the annual production of cars will be around 50 000.
The first production line for automotive glass in Bulgaria starts in April this year. Then is
expected the inauguration of a new factory of the Turkish company Sisecam in Targovishte.
The facilities are installed and test series are made. Annual plant capacity will be 300
thousand sets of complete automotive glass equipment. Production will be exported to the
factories of Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen and Dacia.

Automotive parts suppliers and R&D centers

Bulgaria currently produces automotive electronics equipment, wire harness, parts for
chassis and engines systems, interior details, etc. Below are listed R&D centers and
companies that suppliy components for the automotive industry divided in three groups:
Electrical Engineering, Metal Engineering and all the rest.

Electrical Engineering
ZMDI Eastern Europe EOOD - Varna
ZDMI started its R&D center in 2008. The small enterprise is nearly 20 people, but is
involved with state of the art green technologies. It has laboratories for integrated circuits
development and testing. Products developed in ZMDI centers in Varna are used as
interface between sensors and microprocessor. Other research area is battery charge
management on one Chip for the automotive industry.

Belchev Motors - Stara Zagora, R&D

The role of the centre is developing Bulgaria’s first electricity-powered automobile of the
XCAR type, because this type of car has many advantages - absence of air pollution, a low
level of noise, high reliability and durability, low cost of operation. Equipment – computers,
laboratory, lathe, cutter, specially equipped hall for assembling electromobile. Main activities
are diagnostic and repairing engine, suspension, electrics.

Epiq Electronic Assembly Ltd - Botevgrad

Founded in 1997, it is an electronic subcontracting company. Cutting edge production
facilities in Epiq Electronic Assembly benefit from three main production sites in Bulgaria.
The first covers 4000m2, the second an impressive 8000m2, and the company has recently
inaugurated a 14,000m2 site featuring state-of-the-art facilities. EPIQ is specializing in the
manual and automated assembly of electronic components on PCB, including SMD and
automated insertion processing. Other key activities include board function testing, module
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assembly – attaching the circuit board to other parts such as plastic housing and final
function testing. Core services also feature plastic injection moulding, chip-on-board
assembly, and the development and manufacture of plastic injection moulds and factory
automation equipment.

Melexis Bulgaria Ltd - Sofia

In 2006 Melexis opened 12000 m² site including one of the largest clean rooms in Bulgaria.
This 1000 m² wafer probing area meets class 10 000 requirements of the US FED STD 209E
clean room standards and is equipped with 25 new wafer probing machines and has a total
capacity of 100 machines. Over 50 new test cells for final testing are in place currently. The
current work force is 200 people. Melexis create, manufacture and deliver for the automotive
electronics market various products such as advanced Mixed Signal semiconductors, sensor
ICs, and programmable sensor IC systems. Melexis is developing industry leading innovation
in programmable sensors, sensor interface devices and microcontrollers that provides
competitive advantage in system cost, capability and flexibility.

Johnson Controls Electronics Bulgaria EOOD – Sofia

Currently Johnson Controls Bulgaria has 52,000 square feet office area that space the team
of about 500 employees (incl. 460 engineers). It provides project support and delivery of
automotive software development and validation, hardware solutions design and prototyping,
mechanical engineering services and global IT support in close collaboration with Johnson
Controls teams located in France, Germany and USA. 10% of the Johnson Controls Bulgaria
employees are students. In Bulgaria are constructed multifunctional displays for all cars
series of Renault Clio. JCS Bulgaria is developing the board control systems for Nissan
Micra, Citrooen C6, Daimler Chrysler. In Sofia is produced the entertainment software that
controls the rear seats integrated multimedia consoles of Mercedes S Class.

Tremol SMD Ltd - Veliko Tarnovo

Tremol SMD Ltd is a contract electronic manufacturing company founded in April 2006 as
part of Tremol Group Bulgaria. The company owns building of 2400 square meters with 1500
square meters of production space and 900 square meters administrative and engineering
facilities, together with an additional PTH assembly department in the town of Svishtov. It has
86 employees and its electronics engineers are experienced in R&D, electronic design,
electronic testing, moulds and plastic parts design, plastic injection, mechanical parts design
and production, etc. Tremol Ltd has additional production department for manual soldering
and manual assembly.

Hybrid Integrated Circuits Ltd - Sofia

Hybrid Integrated Circuits Ltd.(HIC) was established in December 1996 on the bases of the
Hybrid Microelectronics Department of the "Institute of Microelectronics" (IME – Sofia). HIC
and its predecessor have more than 30 years of experience in the field of thick and thin -film
technologies, and SMD assembly. Its highly qualified design engineers utilize up-to-date
software tools. The production is export orientated — more than 90% of our products are
exported to Western Europe. HIC manufactures Custom hybrid IC's, resistor networks, high-
voltage resistors, PCB assemblies.

BRSP Autoelectronica - Plovdiv

BRSP “Autoelectronica” is a joint company, established in Plovdiv in 1986, as the only
producer of automotive electronic modules and microprocessor systems for the former
Eastern markets. Today BRSP “Autoelectronica” is orientated towards the high technologies
for production of competitive products for Bulgarian market and export as well. The
Engineers and the highly-skilled personnel together with external partners are carrying out
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the design and the production of new products. Today BRSP “Autoelectronica” has at its
disposal several specialized production workshops, a vast area, equipment and all the
specific conditions for batch production of electronic products, tools, plastic parts and Wire-O
systems for binding.

Bulgaria SE Bordnetze - Bulgaria E00D - Karnobat, Mezdra

The company was originally founded back in 2002 as a logistics center of Volkswagen
Elektrik Sistemleri A.S. - Cerkezkoy, Turkey in Kazanlak. In 2004 the company expanded
and moved to Karnobat and built a plant with area of 8984m^2 and total staff of 1009.
Volkswagen Bordnetze GmbH was sold to Sumitomo Corporation in 2006. Since then the
company is autonomous and it operates under the new name "Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze
- Bulgaria" EOOD. 2008 the company expanded further and founded a new plant in Mezdra
with area of 7600m^2 and 373 employees. Currently they have 2 production locations in
Bulgaria and 3 more owned by subcontractors Arkomat EOOD and Ates EOOD. “Sumitomo
Electric Bordnetze - Bulgaria" EOOD supplies for variety of automobile platforms of
Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda. The basic steps to complete a wire harness are as follows:
cutting, crimping, welding, twisting, forming and testing. The most important step is the
forming of the wire harness. On the form-tables the wires are bundled together to the exact
technical specifications given by the customer.

Nursan Otomotiv EOOD – Bourgas

Nursan Otomotiv EOOD has been established in 2002 as a wiring harness manufacturing
company specialized in assembly operations and direct deliveries to European countries.
The company acts today as a subcontactor to Nursan Elektrik Donanim and provides a wide
range of products to passenger cars, trucks, LCV’s and SUV’s, i.e dashboard, engine, doors,
roof, tailgate, ABS and airbag harness families. On the other hand, the company holds a big
potential to expand its activities and capacity to manufacture white goods wiring harnesses
and other products. Nursan Otomotiv EOOD employs 240 employees over 2500 sqm closed
area and is expected to achieve total sales of $14 million by the end of 2004

Yazaki Bulgaria EOOD - Yambol

Yazaki Corporation invested 25 million euro in Its Bulgarian plant with area of 25000 square
meters. Yazaki Bulgaria EOOD employs 1800 workers and it plans to extend its work force to
2900 workers. Yazaki produces all kinds of automotive Electrical Distribution equipment.
Current projects are wiring harness for Renault Megan and Renault Scenic.

Arkomat Bulgaria EOOD - Kazanlak

Arkomat is an international subcontractor company which manufactures wire harnesses for
Volkswagen Electrical Systems Inc. Arkomat has been one of the leading companies in the
wire harness industry with its 750 people employed in Bulgaria since 1999.

AMK Drives and Controls Ltd. - Gabrovo

The centre has a key role in the structure of AMK “Drives and controls” Ltd. There The staffs
assigned to the center is highly qualified in the specific fields of AMK equipment and its
application, drives and controls, building automation machines, laser technologies and etc.
The centre is managed by a professional who established certain working manner, which
secures the most effective and efficient functionality of R&D centre. So, the principles of
team work and partnerships with a number of representatives of different bodies – privately
owned companies, Universities, R&D centers and others are strongly applied in the everyday
work.

MONBAT - Mezdra
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MONBAT Plc. is a fast developing company which manufactures lead-acid batteries for
various applications. Its products have been present on the international market for more
than 50 years. The company’s wide product range includes starter batteries, stationary
batteries, leisure, solar, marine batteries, special batteries for military applications (designed
to meet both Russian and NATO standards), and locomotive batteries. Monbat production
facilities are located in the North-West Bulgarian town of Montana. The company employees
a team of highly qualified experts, which along with the latest technologies and equipment,
as well as the constant introduction of resulting innovations, makes it highly competitive on
both the local and international markets.

Metal Engineering
Consilium components AD - Sofia
Consilium is a Swedish company and it established its Bulgarian branch in 2004. Consilium
Components is one of Europe’s leading companies as concerns tool production and
component manufacturing within the fine blanking area. The company has 400 employees
globally and in Bulgaria about 60. Fine blanking is a technology through which one can
produce extremely high precision components. Consilium Components use very complicated
CAD/CAM systems and high-tech tools and matrices. In Bulgaria it works mainly for the
automotive industry, producing parts for Volvo, Getrag, Husqvarna, Valeo, etc.

MAGNETIC MEDIA AUTOMOTIVE LTD - Pazardzik

Magnetic Media automotive Ltd. was founded in 2000, as an independent company on the
territory of the former factory Magnetic Media co. It is situated near a major motorway, in
Dragor, municipality of Pazardzhik. MM automotive is situated on 450 square meters all-out
area and has its own buildings, machines and equipment. The company is specialized in
production of automobile spare parts for different automobile trademarks, for example ball
joints, tie rod ends, centre rods, stabilizing links axial joints and etc. All employees and
workers in MM automotive ltd. are highly qualified with high and technical education and
have at least 5 years working experience in this branch. It has production capacity of 20000
pcs. per month. MM automotive could start production of new parts per given samples or the
customer's technical documentation. The company has capability of designing production
technology and working out the relative technical documentation.

Balkancar Record Co - Plovdiv

Balkancar Record Co. was established in Plovdiv in the middle of the fifties of the 20th
century. It was a part of the BALKANCAR HOLDING COMPANY, which established and
upheld the traditions of Bulgarian industrial truck production. Today, Balkancar Record Co. is
one of the leading manufacturers of engine-powered forklift trucks in Bulgaria. The
company’s product range includes electric forklift trucks, diesel and LPG engine-powered
industrial trucks, tow tractors of the RECORD family. Depending on the modifications, the
capacity is from 1250 up to 8000 kg, the lifting height load from 2800 up to 6400 mm, and the
drawbar pull is 15 to 20 kN.

Metal Technology Group - Sofia, Metal Engineering

Metal Technology Group incorporates leading Bulgarian companies specialized in production
of aluminium castings, grey and ductile cast iron castings, steel and alloyed steel castings,
centrifugal castings. The headway achieved by the company is due to: constant development
and improvement of the technologies and equipment distinguished by many international
awards; construction of complex manufacturing installations for sophisticated products,
covering the entire production process from research and design to casting, machining and
assembly; possessing complex and modern control equipment; always providing solutions
and meeting complicated customer requirements; automation of technological and
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production processes by using the latest achievements in the field of microprocessor
engineering; complying with the highest standards for labour safety and environment
protection. It incorporates three production plants: Alucom – Pleven, Ossom – Lovech,
Centromet – Vratza, Arma - Loznitza
Madara Group - Shumen, Metal Engineering
MADARA has more than 50 years of experience in the production of heavy duty vehicles,
rear and front driving truck axles, agricultural and road construction machines, gears and
shafts, castings and forgings, springs and stamps, tools and tooling equipment.

Oskar Ruegg Bulgaria EOOD - Stara Zagora

The automotive field is extremely demanding. It is characterized by an incredible variety of
ideas, requirements and demands. Oskar Ruegg provides faster perfect solutions in all of the
following segments: infotainment, lighting, interior solutions, connectors/shieldings, motor
management. Oskar Rüegg has a solution for your needs, fast and perfect. Many of the parts
produced by the “Automotive – Infotainment” division are designed to meet the highest safety
standards. Oskar Rüegg AG counts on many years of experience in producing even the most
complex parts using high-strength stainless steel. The parts are capable of enduring extreme
environmental stresses – such as temperature fluctuations, vibrations and humidity – without
being damaged. Even the packaging requirements are high and varied.

DF Bulgaria EOOD - Dragoman

In 2005 DF Bulgaria was founded in Dragoman. Its tasks comprise manufacturing perforated
plates and processed products made of perforated plate as well as ensuring the logistics and
the distribution perforated plates in Southeast Europe. At present, DF Bulgaria employs 40
people and, with modern production equipment, manufactures perforated tubes, punched
parts, drawn parts and welded parts according to German standards. In order to achieve
synergy effects in the Group, all Group companies work closely together concerning
distribution and manufacturing issues.

MONTUPET EOOD - Russe, Metal Engineering

Montupe invested 100 mln euro in 3 production lines for alluminium details. The Rousse
plant is producing aluminum parts for engines, braking systems, and chassis, alloy wheels.
About 3,000 cars are fitted daily with parts "made in Russe".

William Hughes Bulgaria - Plovdiv

William Hughes Bulgaria opened the factory for production in November 2004. They employ
around 100. The factory is currently 3,000 square meters with land for expansion. The
factory is located near Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second city, just 1 hour 15 minute drive down the
motorway from the international airport of Sofia. Current manufacturing facilities include 15
CNC wire bending machines capable of bending wire from 0.4mm - 12mm. For assembly
work there are spot welders, automatic welding cabinets and 6-axis CNC welding robots. For
finishing parts there are 2 nylon plastic coating lines and a paint line.

Other automotive parts

Aspect III - Dobrich, Everything Else
Aspect III is found in 1990 year in Dobrich town. The company is specialized in production of
Air, Oil, Fuel and Hydraulic filter elements for cars and commercial vehicles such as buses,
trucks, excavators, loading machine, tractors, combines, locomotives, ship and etc.

Grammer AD - Trudovetz, Everything Else

The Grammer brand stands for mobile comfort and safety. As a partner to the vehicle
manufacturing industry, the Grammer are specialized in innovative developing and producing
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driver and passenger seats as well as components and systems for automobile interiors.
Grammer AD bought production facilities of former bus plant Chavdar in 1997 and in 2008 it
invested in new second production plant. Grammer is hiring about 700 people.

Finvetro - Sofia, Everything Else

The Finvetro Group established joint company with Bulgarian glass producers in 2004. The
glass production of Finverto varies from lenses for automobile headlights to components for
household appliances and lighting. The outstanding quality of the products is guaranteed by
the use of the best raw materials, high precision moulds and finishing, which is totally
designed and created by Finvetro and its group members. The whole process is constantly
monitored, allowing it to reach standards of the highest quality through the perfect
combination of the resources used and the services provided.

Teklas Bulgaria AD - Kardzhali, Rubber

Teklas is the first manufacture of automotive rubber products in Bulgaria. Teklas started its
production line in 2006 on area of 6400 sq.m. with work force of 200 people. Teklas export all
kind of fluid system hoses and engine sealing parts needed in car production to Volkswagen
and Opel.

Ixetic Plovdiv EOOD - Plovdiv, Engineering

Ixetic is a partner and supplier to all well known car and commercial vehicle manufacturers,
and sets standards worldwide in engineering, quality and customer orientation. Ixetic develop
and produce a wide portfolio of hydraulic and vacuum pumps, transmission components, as
well as air-conditioning compressors with CO2 technology and adjustable lubricating oil
pumps. Our product spectrum is rounded off with electrical pumps and special solutions for a
wide range of applications.

STANDARD PROFIL BULGARIA AD - Stara Zagora, Rubber Products

SP Bulgaria Plants has been started on January 2006. This plant has got 50525 m2 open
area including 9720 m2 plant area, 670 m2 management plant and totaly 10390 m2 closed
area. It has 110 workers at the begining of March 2006. 83 workers have been working on
the production department, the rest of them working on quality, maintenance, logistic and
finance departments. It has been estimated that at the end of 2006 They’ll approach to 250
people. Standard Profil is a supplier enterprise producing sealing profiles for Turkish and
European automotive manufacturers.

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Pic. 2.19: Situation of Bulgarian automobile companies on the Bulgarian territory

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Automotive industry in Croatia

Tradition, Quality-engineering, Well-known Customers

Automotive components production in Croatia developed as a part of the automotive vehicle
production in ex-Yugoslavia (Zagreb Bus Factory in Croatia, IMV (Renault) and Maribor
Truck Factory (TAM) in Slovenia, Zastava and Automobile Factory Priboj (FAP) in Serbia,
and TAS (Volkswagen) in Bosnia). It’s development was based on the expertise and a strong
tradition in relating sectors such as metal processing, welding, plastics, construction and
agricultural machinery building. Croatian automotive components companies have a strong
tradition in high precision and zero defect tolerance in manufacturing and their main
advantage is the excellent quality level of their products. Most of them have both general
standards like ISO 9001 and industry specific standards such as TS 16949.

Beside groups of companies in Zagreb, Nova Gradiška, Slavonski Brod and Split with a long
experience in this industry, recently there have also been positive examples of several new
local companies that achieved complete integration into international chains of part suppliers
for world well-known car producers (PSA, GM, Fiat, BMW, Audi, Ford, Renault, Toyota,
Volvo, Daimler Chrysler, etc.). This is emblematic of Croatia's entrepreneurial culture and
marketing mindset, as well as the availability of locally produced management talent and the
underlying competitiveness of cost/quality/engineering skills combination in certain niches of
the automotive components industry.
“Croatian component suppliers seem well positioned to respond to the challenge of
strengthening collaboration with their customers. Many have successfully developed a new
product line or service, or upgraded existing ones in the past three years. The use of
AutoCAD and other software for the design and development of components is relatively
widespread compared with the situation in other Western Balkan economies. Based on the
results of the RCS and company interviews, many Croatian part suppliersalready collaborate
with their customers in areas that require a deep, stable and medium- to long-term business
relation, such as product development, product design and production planning. They do so
at a level which remains virtually unmatched elsewhere in the region. All these elements
point to the existence of relatively deep and strong relationship between local suppliers and
international customers.” OECD, Recommendation for Regional Investment Strategy, 2009.

Industry Track Records

Croatian automotive parts producers have proven their high standards and quality as they
deliver products to some of the most known upper-market car producers such as Bentley,
Ferrari, Mercedes, Alfa Romeo, McLaren, Lamborghini and Aston Martin.

Small But Croative Companies

In 2007 there were 74 vehicle parts production market players. 68 of them were small
companies: mostly small enterprises specialized in metal processing, plastic processing and
electronic parts production. Small enterprise structure enables higher flexibility, better
responsiveness to client’s needs, possibility to enter market niches and adapt to new
products and technologies.

Croatian spare parts manufacturers deliver more complex and high value added products
(instead of competing in mass production like car assembly) which requires higher technical
skills, innovation, flexibility and design.

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Growing Interest For Cooperation From Big Automotive Suppliers
MAGNA Croatian Cooperation Day for Automotive Suppliers
A conference and cooperation meetings were organized in November 2008 by APIU, Magna
International Inc. and Croatian Automotive Cluster. More than 40 Croatian companies
participated.
“We don’t expect to immediately sign a contract with MAGNA, but, since the people from
Magna Europe Purchasing Initiative are present, we hope to establish valuable contacts that
are crucial for future businesses. We are glad to be one of the seven companies in which
Magna has shown major interest. We believe to have competitive quality and prices as we
have proved in our cooperation with Bosch, Continental and Zetor.”
Damir Ištvanić, owner of Eloda
“We have been working with Magna in Russia and Austria and our customer portfolio
includes Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, Ford, BMW, Opel and GM. We supply them with finished
products based on the plastic and thermoplastic materials processing for the interior and the
exterior of cars. Now we are expecting an expansion in our cooperation with Magna,
especially on the Russian market. We are trying to respond to the current crisis with flexibility
of prices and the use of new technologies.” Boris Mišić, AD Plastik Program Manager

INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Top Automotive Suppliers in Croatia

AD PLASTIK
AD Plastik d.d. is a company engaged in the manufacture of plastic products, mainly for the
automotive industry. Its car products are divided into two groups: interior products, comprised
of instrument boards, roofs, door paneling, panel pockets, thermally formed carpets, central
console, backseat shelf, column paneling, steering column paneling, window handles, door
handles, arm rests, hand brake paneling, ashtrays, ceiling light fixtures, and roof handles,
and exterior products, comprised of front and back painted bumpers, fog lights fixtures and
covers, decorative profiles, front air intake, fender lining and fuel tank lining.
The Company also offers other plastic products, including household products, packaging
materials, injection and extruded products, products for the electric industry, seats for
stadiums and garden products. It has three subsidiaries, in Russia, Slovenia and Romania.
Its customers include Revoz Novo Mesto, Volkswagen, BMW, Renault, Peugeot, Citroen,
Ford, Opel, SM, and many others.
▪ 1000 employees
▪ More than 90% of all production is exported
▪ Total income: 92 million EUR (2008)
▪ Own Product development and design
▪ Factories in Russia, Romania and Slovenia
▪ Certificates: ISO 9001, ISO TS 16949, ISO 14001, Q1

ELODA
A supplier of hydraulic brake light switches – hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical, oil
pressure switches, radiator fan switches, temperature sensors, reverse light switches, push
buttons.
▪ 50 Employees
▪ More than 95% of all production is exported
▪ 78% EU customers
▪ Own Product development, testing facilities
▪ Certificates: : ISO 9001:2000, ISO/TS 16949:2002, ISO 14001:2004
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▪ Main clients: Bosch, WABCO, Herth+Buss, Continental, Teves, Zetor, Tractors, Beru, Pro
car, FAE

AVL - AST
AVL is the world's largest privately owned company for development, simulation and testing
technology of powertrains (combustion engines, transmissions, hybrids, electric drive,
batteries and software) for passenger cars, trucks and large engines.
Croatia is the center for software development (simulation software and automation software
for test beds) as well as an active partner in projects for automotive OEM-s (Daimler, Audi,
PSA, Renault, Suzuki, Nissan, Toyota...) contributing in the area of computer simulations of
complex physical processes in engines and powertrains.
▪ Founded in 1996
▪ 80 employees, mostly high qualified engineers
▪ 100% of all products is exported
▪ Turnover is 3.1 million EUR (2008)
▪ Software development and advanced numerical simulations (FEM, MBS, CFD)

DIV
DIV group has more than 120 years of tradition. Currently it is one of the leading screw
production factories in Europe. It is present in six countries, and has more than 750
employees.
Company headquarters are in Samobor, along with a production facility specialized in hot
and cold forging methods. Its largest production facility is in Knin.
The company is constantly aiming to grow and utilize newest technologies.

HSTEC
A company founded in 1997 develops, designs, and produces precision high-speed
electromotors. It develops various high precision techniques for engineering, design and
automatization of specialized autoindustry production machinery.
HSTEC has developed a vast number of electromotors that power working cylinders on auto-
part processing machinery, along with numerous modern components for automatic auto-
part processing systems.
HSTEC is a licensed user of AAB robotic systems.

Foreign Players in Croatia

Owing to the recent trend that saw the biggest automotive producers in the world investing in
automotive vehicle production in Central and Eastern Europe, Croatia is witnessing a
growing interest of big multinationals to invest on its territory. The Croatian Government has
recognized this trend and has started many initiatives in order to support it.

EPCOS
The biggest European and the second biggest world developer and producer of passive
electronic. Their Croatian company SELK is a dominant producer of Piezo Actors using
nanotechnology.
▪ 72 mil. EUR investment
▪ 1.400 employees
▪ 16,3 mil. EUR/year turnover
What attracted EPCOS to invest:
▪ Quality of production and production cycle organization
▪ Quality of workforce
▪ Modern machinery (7,5 mil EUR investment by SELK)

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BOXMARK LEATHER
Austrian company, worldwide leading supplier of high quality chrome free surface leather and
finished leather components.
▪ 50 mil. EUR investment
▪ 3.000 employees
▪ Clients: Audi, Porsche,..

CIMOS
A joint-venture between the Slovenian CIMOS and the Croatian company P.P.C. BUZET –
supplier of engine parts (engine components, break system components, gearshift
mechanism components, car body components).
▪ 650 employees
▪ Own product development and design
▪ Certificates: ISO/TS 16949;2002, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001
▪ Clients: PSA, HTT, Ford, BMW
Tradition in automotive industry is a guaranty of high quality products, competent workforce
and a continuous innovation. High standards of quality are also visible in delivery deadlines
and competitive prices.

YAZAKI
A global Japanese automotive corporation, manufacturer of Electrical/ Electronic Distribution
System (EEDS) with 87 manufacturing operations in 38 countries on six continents. Designs
and develops an innovative range of products for automotive industry. In Croatia, the
company employs top skill professionals engaged in research and development of electronic
parts for vehicles.
▪ Top design & prototype center in Zagreb
▪ Certificates: QS-9000, ISO-17025, ISO/TS 16949, ISO 9001
▪ Clients: DaimlerChrysler, GM, Honda, Toyota and others

SAINT JEAN INDUSTRIES

A worldwide established innovative corporation, specialized in the development and
manufacturing of high integrity/critical safety aluminum components and sub-assemblies for
the automotive, truck, motorcycle and industrial markets.
▪ Certificates: QS-9000, ISO-17025, ISO/TS 16949, ISO 9001
▪ Clients: leading European and world’s brands: Peugeot, Citroen,
Volkswagen, GM, Volvo, Hyundai.
▪ 118 employees

Alstom
A worldwide leader in equipment and services for power generation and rail transport. In
Croatia, the company works on design, production and assembling of steam turbines.
▪ 680 employees
▪ Design and product development in Karlovac
▪ Certificates: QS-9000, ISO-17025, ISO/TS 16949

Eurozappa
Italian company, one of the world’s largest companies manufacturing hand tools and
components for machinery and automotive industry. TANG, their company in Croatia, is
involved in forging products and tools, machine and vehicle parts and components.
▪ 1,5 million EUR Investment
▪ 100 employees

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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Automotive Components Industry

Reduce your costs while maintaining quality

▪ Short distance to markets and car production plants in Western and Eastern Europe
▪ Transportation and storage costs reduction (potential in logistics)
▪ Possibility of just in time delivery thanks to modern transport infrastructure
▪ Croatia’s proximity to strong auto parts manufacturers in the region (Austria, Italy,
Slovakia…)
▪ Tremendous shipping costs savings possible, especially for Asian and Middle east
manufacturers (Sea ports of Rijeka and Ploče)
▪ Motivated, qualified and productive workforce at competitive costs
▪ Quality that meets European standards:
▪ Local companies achieved complete integration into the international chain of part suppliers
for world well-known car producers
▪ Certificates + export figures (growth and ratio) prove quality and growth potential

Strenghten your business through cooperations in Croatia

Wide range of automotive suppliers from Tier1 to Tier3 with development potential and free
capacity available.
Small supplier structure allows flexibility and fast reaction to your needs.
Use local and regional expertise from Croatian manufacturers.

Expand in growing markets of SEE

Take advantage of the Free Trade Agreement between Croatia and EU/CEFTA
Use Croatia as your business platform to expand in the region of SEE (sales & marketing).
Possibility to expand in Croatian traditional markets (ex-Yugoslavian countries, CEFTA,
Russia).

Next steps for Croatia:

▪ Greenfield / Brownfield investments / Cooperation (trade, joint-ventures)
▪ Investments in new production processes (“New Equipment”)
▪ Find quality suppliers in Croatia and build your network with Croatian government and local
institutions
▪ Use our expertise and the expertise of local managers for a successful expansion in
regional SEE markets
▪ Use the Croatian investment incentives and the favorable taxation of company profits and
income from capital
The Croatian automotive industry has a strong basis and potential for future development of
higher value added niche segments such as automotive components industry, design and
R&D.

Concepts and Innovative Products

ELECTRIC CAR
Thanks to their extensive experience in vehicle production and huge R&D efforts made in
several years DOK-ING will soon include a new creation in their range of products - an
electrical engine city car. The whole project has been thought of and developed exclusively
by this company.
Electric car advantages are lesser pollution and cheaper fuel as well as a rather long usage
without any need for servicing. They are especially important for the improvement of city

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driving: quiet operation, exhaust gas elimination and easier steering. This auto industry
branch will continue developing alongside the new generation batteries.
The DOK-ING’s three seats car has been designed primarily as an ecologically acceptable
vehicle to be used for city driving. The warrant period for the car, excluding the battery, is 5
years and will cost around 10.000 EUR. The first test drive is expected in 2010.
The start of production requires tremendous costs and the company is currently searching for
investors.

BATTERY
A choice between two types of batteries will be possible: a lead battery with lesser autonomy
and a new generation lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFeP04) battery that is light, ecologically
acceptable and non-combustible. Following two hours charging, the car will have 250 km
driving autonomy. It will also be equipped with the regenerative brake system enabling it to
recharge during braking.

MOTOR
Two permanent 50 kW/65 HP new generation electro motors, controlled by the DOK-ING
manufactured electronics and produced by an another Croatian company Tema, will be
mounted on front wheels. 300 Nm torque will guarantee exceptional acceleration while the
maximum 130 km/h as optimal speed will allow effortless driving over longer distances on the
motorways.
Expected Features (final features may vary)
▪ 2-hour battery charging
▪ 250 km autonomy
▪ Recharging during breaking
▪ 130 km/h as optimal speed maximum speed
▪ 5-year warranty
▪ A roadster planned

DESIGN
Te industrial designer Igor Jurić, with a long experience working for Opel, Porsche and
Mercedes, signs the car design and is exclusively responsible for the car image.
The car will have modern rounded lines giving it a sporty look, while the rear lights will be
rather unusually X shaped. The roof will be entirely covered in glass. The interior still hasn’t
been completely defined, but an innovation will certainly be the steering mechanism that can
be moved from left to right and even kept in the middle. The seats will provide for a touch of
glamour.

AUTOCLUSTER CROATIA

Founded in 2006 with headquarters in Zagreb

▪ Cluster members – producing, engineering & developing companies in the automotive
sector
▪ Cluster’s Total Employment: 2.000+ Employees
▪ Cluster’s Total Turnover 2007: 105 Mio. EUR
▪ Exports – 90% to the Western European countries/regions

VISON
Croatian Automotive Cluster, as a supplier and partner of the global automotive industry, will
offer complete and innovative solutions to the development of products and services of high
added value, using own professionalism, specialization, multidisciplinarity and flexibility and

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by taking into account wishes and needs of the customers as well as the current
technological and ecological trends.

STRATEGIC GOALS
▪ Market Research
▪ Development of new products and services
▪ Financing
▪ Improvement of internal processes

TRADE AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION AGENCY

National Agency of the Republic of Croatia Central point of contact for investors and
exporters
At Your Disposal
Information about economic and regulative issues
Visits and selection of industrial sites (according to your needs)
Database of available industrial land
Database of Croatian automotive suppliers and cooperation candidates
Organization of matchmaking conferences
Consulting Offered
Before, during and after the completion of your project
Fast proceeding of all necessary permits
Support in investment incentives application
Contact with Croatian automotive supplier

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Automotive industry in Serbia

History
The automotive industry in Serbia dates back to 1939 when the first trucks came off the
assembly lines in the city of Kragujevac. After the Second World War, this factory was
renamed Zastava and it started producing motor vehicles under the licence and quality
standards of FIAT. This was a booming period for automotive suppliers in Serbia, as many
component manufacturers were needed to support the growing new industry. High quality
production enabled them to work for other western car manufacturers. Soon, companies like
Mercedes, Ford, PSA and Opel were sourcing automotive components from Serbian
companies. The high point of this industry came in 1989 when Zastava produced roughly
250,000 cars. Zastava cars were exported to 70 countries all over the world, including the UK
and USA. The political problems and economic sanctions imposed on Serbia during the
1990s halted the development of this export oriented sector. The break-up of former
Yugoslavia had a big impact on Zastava’s existing supply chain, and economic sanctions left
it with a severely depleted market. Serbian suppliers faced the same problems: The industry
was confined to more or less serving only the Serbian market and reduced profits prevented
companies from investing in the development of technologies. Since 2000, the Serbian
automotive industry has rapidly re-emerged due to the privatization process, a strong influx
of foreign capital, and government support.

OEM’s in Serbia
In 2009, the automotive industry in Serbia consists of six companies manufacturing motor
vehicles and around 70 component suppliers. The largest vehicle manufacturer is former
Zastava Automobili or, as it is known now, the FIAT Serbia company. The production range
of Serbian vehicle manufacturers consists of passenger and commercial cars; and light,
medium and heavy trucks and buses. Serbia also has companies that produce trailers, semi
trailers or vehicle superstructures. A detailed analysis ofthese companies can be found in the
component supplier section of this brochure. The six motor vehicle manufacturers in Serbia
employed around 7,000 workers in 2008.

Tab. 2.13: VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS IN SERBIA 2008

Company name Location No. of Product
Workers
FIAT Serbia Kragujevac 3400 Passenger Cars
Zastava Special Sombor 260 Commercial Cars
Vehicles
Zastava Trucks Kragujevac 850 Vans, Trucks
FAP Priboj 1600 Trucks, buses
Ikarbus Belgrade 760 Buses
Neobus Novi Sad 210 Buses

FIAT Serbia
At the end of the 1990s, the cornerstone of Serbian automotive industry, Zastava Automobili,
was in serious trouble. There was almost no technical development, its market had shrunk
severely, and annual production had fallen from more than 200,000 vehicles to around
20,000.
The democratic changes in Serbia in 2000 initiated the privatization process of all state-
owned companies. Zastava’s strategy was to find a strategic partner among the leading
global vehicle manufacturers.
In 2005, the FIAT Group and Zastava signed a cooperation contract to assemble SKD cars in
Zastava. To this end, the state invested around €10 million in a modern assembly line, where
the FIAT Punto 2 was to be produced under the name of “Zastava 10.” By successfully
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producing around 10,000 Zastava 10 vehicles per year while abiding by FIAT’s strict
standards, Zastava indicated to FIAT that it could be transformed into a modern car
manufacturing plant. Finally, in September 2008, the FIAT Group and the Serbian
Government signed a contract forming a new joint venture company, FIAT Serbia. The FIAT
Group invested €700 million in FIAT Serbia, while the Republic of Serbia contributed the
Zastava Automobile plant along with an additional investment of €200 million. The ownership
structure of the company gives the FIAT Group a 67% stake and the Republic of Serbia a
33% stake. The FIAT Serbia company will produce FIAT A and B segment passenger cars,
and will reach production capacity of 300,000 vehicles a year by the end of 2012.

FAP
Fabrika Automobila Priboj, or FAP, was established in 1952 in the town of Priboj in western
Serbia. A year later, FAP introduced its first heavyduty vehicles upon acquiring a licence to
manufacture under the Saurer- Werke brand. In 1970 FAP signed a new licensing agreement
with Daimler-Benz and its products have been based on this cooperation ever since. Further
developments continued during the 1980s with the introduction of a new processing plant for
pressed parts and components, a production line for wheels with a capacity of 70,000 units
per year, and a machining facility for the production of gears, pinions, rings, and universal
joint shafts. One section of FAP’s manufacturing capacity was adapted for the production of
15,000 vehicles per year. FAP’s core activity today is the production of heavy-duty vehicles
with gross weight capacities ranging from 10 t to 32 t. These vehicles are powered by various
engines that are able to generate from 88 to 279 kW with power systems manufactured by
Mercedes- Benz, Cummins and MAN and with different drive line configurations: 4x2, 4x4,
6x2, 6x6, 8x2, 8x4 and 8x8. FAP’s basic production programme consists of: Open trucks, tug
trucks, dump trucks, special vehicles, buses, trailers and covered-trailers.

NEOBUS
The oldest bus manufacturer in Serbia, Neobus from Novi Sad was established in 1952.
Since then, Neobus has produced over 15,000 buses and special vehicles, using their own
chassis or those of renowned manufacturers. Neobus is an example of a successful
privatization in Serbia. It was privatized in 2004 by a private entity from Saudi Arabia, and
this marked the beginning of a new era for the company as it entered a strategic partnership
with Volvo and implemented of the ISO 9001 standard. Today, the company employs over
200 people and has a production capacity of some 600 buses per year. Besides the strategic
partnership with Volvo, Neobus also cooperates with other renowned manufacturers such as:
Mercedes, Raba, MAN, DAF, Cummins, Allison etc. Neobus buses are exported to countries
across the world such as Germany, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Ghana,
Russia, Iraq, Syria, Morocco, Turkey and South Africa.

ZASTAVA TRUCKS
The larger of two subsidiaries of the former Zastava Automobili, Zastava Trucks is located in
Kragujevac. This is where the first motor vehicles were produced in Serbia in 1939 with the
assembly of Chevrolet trucks. Today, it is the only manufacturer of light and medium
commercial vehicles (total weight 2.5 – 12.5 t) in Serbia and the entire South-East Europe
(SEE) region. Zastava Trucks’ production capacity is 7,000 vehicles per year and it employs
a workforce of 850. Its technology competences range from a press shop, welding, surface
protection and painting, machining, heat treatment and assembly. The factory covers a total
area of 10.5 ha with 34,500 m2 of production halls.
The production range consists of:
• Light commercial vehicle – Rival (2.5 – 6.5 t)
• Medium commercial vehicle – Euro Zeta (6.5 – 12.5 t)
• Off-road Transport Vehicles “ZK”
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• Front and rear axles (OEM supply)
• Spare parts
Along with signing a contract to form FIAT Serbia, the FIAT Group and the Serbian
Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a similar joint
venture between Iveco and Zastava Trucks. This MoU involves the investment of €240
million by Iveco in a new company focused on bus production that will produce 2,200
vehicles by the end of 2012.

ZASTAVA SPECIAL VEHICLES

Formed in 1969 as a Zastava Automobili subsidiary for the production of mini-vans and pick-
ups, Zastava Special Vehicles is located in Sombor in northern Serbia. Today, this state-
owned company employs 262 people, though it employed 850 at its peak in 1989. That year,
Zastava Special Vehicles produced 9,000 cars, while the factory’s maximum capacity was
10,000 vehicles. The company is still state-owned and the Republic of Serbia is looking for a
strategic partner to buy a controlling stake.

IKARBUS
Serbia’s first airplane, car and engine manufacturer was founded in 1923. The company
specialized in the manufacture of airplanes until 1954, when its first bus was produced under
the Austrian “Sauer” license. Gradually, the company altered its focus from airplane to bus
production. The company has cooperated with brands such as MAN, Mercedes and DAF.
Today, Ikarbus’ production range consists of: city buses, intercity buses, tourist buses and
medical vehicles

Tab. 2.14: Leading Foreign Investors in Serbian Automotive Industry

Company Country of Origin Investment Type Euro
mn
Fiat Italy Privatization 700
Cimos Slovenia Privatization 100
Michelin France Joint Venture 44
Brikel Bulgaria Privatization 37
Galaxy Tire USA Privatization 22
Albon Great Britain Greenfield 18
Leoni Germany Brownfield 15
Draexlmaier Germany Greenfield 10
Lohr France Brownfield 7
Streit Group France Greenfield 7
Tesnila Slovenia Greenfield 6
Grammer Germany Greenfield 4
Bauerhin Germany Greenfield 2

COMPONENT SUPLLIERS
Today, ca. 100 companies with 25.000 employees are producing parts and systems for
motor vehicles in Serbia.

PRODUCT GROUPS
Engine & engine component manufacturing is the most popular activity within the automotive
component production industry in Serbia. These products encompass valves, camshafts,
crankshafts, connecting rods, flywheels etc. Production of complete engines has dropped
with the drop in production of Zastava cars and the industry is now focused on components
rather than assembly. However these engine components are mostly produced for foreign
OEMs with a smaller percentage destined for the spare parts market, suggesting high
product quality. Vehicle plastic and rubber parts are the second most popular after engine
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components in automotive component production in Serbia. Rubber components include
chiefly hoses, rubber brackets and weather seals, while plastic is used in a wide range of
interior and exterior parts. It should be noted that the survey did not include tyres within the
plastic and rubber product group, but as part of chassis systems. There is little foreign capital
present in plastic & rubber production, making it a favourite product group for domestic
companies. Electrical, electronic & power supply production is also very significant. These
products include car batteries, electric motors and wire harnesses. It is worth noting that the
majority of wire harness producers are foreign-owned companies founded in the last three
years. Production of braking system parts is very diverse and covers brake discs and drums,
brake pads, hydraulic systems for braking systems, hydraulic brake hoses etc. Production of
brake discs and drums is most popular, and foreign capital is strongly present there. These
parts are produced by casting and machining, which, together with wire harness production,
is technology that has seen the most foreign investment in the Serbian automotive sector in
the past three years.

TURNOOVER AND EXPORTS

As stated earlier, 10 new companies have entered the automotive component production
sector in Serbia since 2005. All of these companies are foreign investors and their
establishment has led to rapid growth in sector turnover, especially in 2008. Total turnover
rose from €360 million in 2006 to €460 million in 2007, and €830 million in 2008, which is the
largest growth that this sector has ever recorded in Serbia (80%).
Domestic companies’ turnover is also constantly growing, but not as rapidly as with foreign-
owned companies. Very little domestic capital was invested in new companies and the
majority of domestic companies’ turnover growth is down to the increase in existing
production.
Parallel to the turnover, the level of exports is steadily rising. Foreign- owned companies are
main leaders in this category, especially since almost all of them have invested in Serbia for
exporting purposes. The reason for this lies in the excellent export conditions that Serbia
offers, due to its convenient location and free trade agreements with all European countries
and Russia. The survey demonstrates that more than 90% of foreign companies’ production
is exported, while domestic companies export around 45%. Domestic companies clearly
focus more on local demand, while foreign-owned companies focus on exports.
FIAT’s arrival in Serbia, with production plans for 300,000 vehicles a year, will certainly shift
foreign investors’ interest from predominantly export production to supplying local vehicle
production as well. With export of €120 million, the biggest exporter in 2008 was Tigar Tyres,
owned by French Michelin. Tigar Tyres exports 90% to the European Union.
The primary export destination for automotive parts produced in Serbia is the European
Union, and the survey shows that 90% of companies export to the EU. The European Union
is a very large market for automotive parts, and Serbia has the advantage of geographically
bordering three EU countries and having exceptional trade measures, enabling the export of
all products originating from Serbia to enter EU without customs or other fees.
The second largest export destination, with 60% of automotive companies exporting there,
are the countries of former Yugoslavia. The export to these countries is predominantly based
on the spare parts market. The strong presence of Serbian parts in these markets is due to
the fact that many vehicles driven there originate from Serbian vehicle manufacturers.
Although many producers export to these countries, the real volume of export is not that
large. Under the free trade agreement, automotive parts and systems can be exported from
Serbia to Russia duty free, although Russia comes only fourth as an export destination, with
31% of companies exporting there.

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COMPANY SIZE AND STRUCTURE
48% of companies in the sector are large companies. Medium-sized companies form 38% of
the sector and small companies only 14%. Foreign Greenfield investments play a big part in
medium-sized companies, suggesting that this is the preferred scheme when Greenfield FDI
is at stake. Large companies are those that tend to have been around for longer and have
been privatized or are in the process of privatization.
The majority of companies in the sector are domestically owned, with an ownership ratio of
66% for the domestically-owned companies and 34% for the foreign ones. Slovenian
companies are the biggest foreign investors in the Serbian automotive components sector,
with a 10% presence on the market. German companies are next with a 7% ownership,
followed by French companies with a 6%.

WORKFORCE
The establishment of ten new companies within the three year period has had a major impact
on both the total number of workers and total turnover in the sector. This impact was not
immediate, since the normal time for investment project development is approximately three
years. However, in 2008, the impact of these investments became apparent. The survey
shows that in 2008, the sector employed around 25,000 workers – down from the 28,000
workers reported in 2005. However, this figure constitutes an increase from 2007, and this is
the first year since the 80s that the number of workers in the sector has risen.

EDUCATION
Every year, around 13,000 students graduate from universities in Serbia, where one-third
comes from technical universities. Blue collar workers come from various technical
secondary schools. In total there are 71 of such schools in Serbia, offering a number of
specializations. These workers also receive specific know-how and hands-on experience
related to technology and quality standards in the automotive industry.

Tab. 2.15: FACULTIES

Faculties of Mechanical Engineering 4
Faculties of Technical Sciences 3
Faculties of Electrical and Electronic Engineering 2
Faculty of Traffic and Transport Engineering 1
Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy 1

Tab. 2.16: TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

General technical schools 47
Electro-technical schools 10
Mechanical technical schools 9
Railway technical schools 2
Traffic technical schools 2
Aviation technical schools 1

97
3. RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on our analysis of automotive R&D area in PPs countries/regions we have determined
important trends and challenges for automotive industry in SEE. In our analysis we have
identified several information sources from prestigious firms: Deloitte, KPMG, Roland Berger,
Booz & Company, IBM, Oliver Wyman, ale German automotive association VDA, ACEA,
EUCAR, OICA and other publications from car producers and scientific books. The most and
main important pillar for setting up recommendations was results of our research in
automotive R&D capacities in PPs countries/regions of SEE. Based on this all relevant
information, we have built four basic groups of recommendation for next intensive
development of automotive industry in SEE in terms of R&D activities:

1. Cooperation

 building innovation networks and innovation clusters in SEE (our R&D database is the
1st step of creating connetions, cooperations and partnerships between OEM, SMEs,
universities, R&D institutes, innovation centres and others in SEE),
 need for more participation of SEE R&D capacities in top European projects in
automotive industry – building close cooperation with western R&D organizations,
 looking for industrial areas with unique special orientation of R&D capacities in SEE
(countries will need to look for own specific focus in which country is excellent and
could to contribute to development of automotive industry),
 contribution to desiging of new types of R&D&D centres in close cooperation with
western countries in terms of green cars,
 development of partnerships with focus on business, education, new technologies,
networking, new industrial sectors,
 contribution to development of new supplier chains in terms of green cars,
 contribution to development of integration new technologies into present systems,
 contribution to development of new aftermarket services and manufacturing of spare
parts industry,
 distribution of new competencies and responsibilities between OEM and suppliers in
terms of green cars,
 contribution to development of new business models,
 contribution to development of new automotive platforms, modules and systems,
 contribution to harmonization and standardization,
 contribution do development of new production and assembly capacities with focus
on green cars and R&D activities,
 national governments need to provide appropriate market incentives in terms of green
cars
 need to build strong clusters and cluster networks such as tool for preparing phase
for SMEs to entrance to the global automotive supplier networks and such as tool for
building own R&D departments and centres – actual strong trend is that global
automotive networks consists from car producers and suppliers plants in all regions in
the world, automotive suppliers are following car producers

2. Focus on highly perspective research and development industrial sectors

 focus on materials research – plastics, lighweight materials, magnesium, aluminium,

high-strenght steel, fiber-reinforced materials, composites, nanomaterials and others,
 contribution to development of ultra low cost cars and low cost cars,
 contribution to development of vehicle aerodynamics,
 development of car electronics and ICT,
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  development of safety and comfort standards
 contribution to development of new car design
 complete vehicle and component development and prototyping servicess (full range
of automotive engineering services, virtual simulations)
 designing of local and regional automotive R&D laboratories and testing centres
 R&D with focus on process improvement in manufacturing technologies – innovation
of processes (research in welding, pressing, assembly, painting technologies,
robotics and automation)

3. Education

 knowledge development in designing of R&D laboratories and testing centres

regarding world automotive firms and other related industrial sectors,
 looking for new ways for more intensive cooperation between universities, R&D
institutions and industrial firms in area of process improvement, innovation of
processes, manufacturing productivity and efficiency, development of innovation
thinking and creativity, R&D activities, project activities…,
 education and information about specific characteristics of the new technologies,
 building new study program in terms of green cars, new structural changes,
challenges and actual worldwide trends in automotive,
 building learning networks – shared learning could help with some of the barries to
learning that individual firms might face – this type of networks has primary purpose
of increasing knowledge with characteristics (Tidd, J. – Bessant, J., 2009):
 They are formally establihed and defined
 They have primary learning target (specific knowledge)
 others

4. Energy and Environment

 create stronger environmental orientation of R&D capacities in SEE (need for

increasing R&D activities in environmental area)
 preparing activities for using of green cars (research in traffic and transport system as
a whole, reaearch in environmental technologies, alternative fuels and innovation in
powertrain, market implementation of innovation and other related areas)
 contribution to R&D in hybrid cars, electric cars, and other alternative powertrain
 contribution to development of recharging infrastructure, developmet of country
infrastructure for electric cars
 contribution to development of battery systems and recycling processes
 contribution to development of ecological manufacturing processes (green painting
processes, green manufacturing of vehicles and sub-systems, digital manufacturing,
virtual engineering
 energy companies need to contribute to the R&D in renewable energy sources with
aim zero-emission transportation

Presentation Proposals for Educational Seminars:

1. Presentation of R&D capacities in SEE
2. Quo Vadis automotive industry
3. Importance of building of networks and international partnerships
4. Trends in automotive industry – new challenges, opportunities, innovations
5. Trends in material research activities for automotive industry
6. Trends in process improvement activities (Lean Principles, Kaizen, ...)
7. Presentation of electric cars iniciatives in the world
99
Referencies:

ACEA: Newsletter February 2010, www.acea.be

Capgemini: Cars Online 08/09. 10th Annual Global Automotive Study: Tracking Consumer Buying
Behavior in Both Mature and Emerging Markets, 2008, www.capgemini.com

Deloitte: A new era. Accelerating toward 2020 – An automotive industry transformed., 2009,
www.deloitte.com

EUCAR – CLEPA: R&D Priorities for the Greening of Vehicles and Road Transport, A contribution by
CLEPA and EUCAR to the European Green Car Initiative May 2009

EUCAR: The Automotive Industry Focus on future R&D Challenges, 2009, www.eucar.be

Haddock, R. – Jullens, J.: The Best Years of the Auto Industry Are Still Come. Booz & Company Inc.,
2009

IBM: Automotive 2020 - Clarity beyond the chaos, 2008, www.ibm.com

ITD Hungary Investment and Trade Development Agency: R&D in Hungary: With business in mind,
2010

ITD Hungary Zrt.: The automotive industry in Hungary - Engine of growth, 2009

Jurgens, U.: Characteristics of the European Automotive System: Is There a Distinctive European
Approach?

Kalman Meszaros, dr. Commercial Counsellor (ITD Hungary): Automotive Industry - Securing
Automotive Investments in the New Member States (Brussels, 4th November 2008)

Klink, G. – Krubasik, S. – Rings, T.: Sparsam, sauber, elektrisch? Das Rennen um den Antrieb der
Zukunft, ATKearney, 2009

KMPG: AutomotiveNow - New business segments for the automotive supply industry, 2009
www.kpmg.com

Kremlicka, R.: Megatrends und Auswege aus der Krise. E-mobility: Zu viel Innovation um erfolgreich
zu sein?, (Presentation) ATKearney, 2010

Lešinský J. : SAITS, 2009, www.saits.sjf.stuba.sk

Oliver Wyman: 2015 Car innovation – A comprehensive study on innovation in the automotive
industry. 2007, www.oliverwyman.com

PricewaterhouseCoopers: Survey on car dealer’s market in Hungary, 2009

Shell Deutschland Oil GmbH: PkW Scenarien bis 2030. Fakten, Trends und Handlungsoptionen für
nachhaltige Auto-Mobilität, 2009, www.shell.de

Tidd, J. – Bessant, J.: Managing Innovation. Integrating Technological Market and Organizational
th
Change. Johns Wiley & Sons Ltd.: West Sussex, 4 Edition, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-99810-6

VDA: Annual Report 2009. www.vda.de

www.oica.net

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Publication: Innovation Trends and Challenges and Cooperation
Possibilities with R&D in Automotive Industry
Publisher: Automotive Cluster – West Slovakia in Trnava
Project: AUTOCLUSTERS, www.autoclusters.eu
Address: Hlavná 5, 917 01 Trnava, Slovakia
Year: February 2010
Editors team: Vladimír Švač, Štefan Chudoba, Jozef Bárta, Dušan Bušen,
Branko Mihalič, Attila Antal, Diego Borsellino, Cristian-Gyozo
Haba, Nikolay Madzharov, Stela Stancheva, Dejan Vratonjic

101