Utilization of the ZalaZONE automotive proving ground is expected to increase sharply this year, driven by the growing validation needs of autonomous and electric vehicles. This expansion will require additional capacity, paving the way for further investments and new business partnerships in Zalaegerszeg, László Palkovics said on Monday at a press conference held at the site to mark the start of the year.
The chairman of the board of trustees of the ZalaZONE Foundation recalled that in recent years, the automotive industry has been characterized by uncertainty due to changing powertrains and the emergence of new Asian manufacturers, but it seems that these issues have now been resolved and the industry is back on track for growth.
“Hungary is in a good position, with the world’s most modern manufacturers operating here. Just think about the opening of BMW’s latest factory, Mercedes doubling its capacity, and BYD being one of the world’s largest manufacturers,” he said.
These processes also have an impact on the proving ground in Zalaegerszeg, as new-generation vehicles require the right validation environment and energy solutions, and the city in western Hungary is home to one of the world’s largest manufacturers.
The existing capacities are attracting new ones, not only universities and research institutes, but negotiations are also underway with large companies that would appear as investors or service users, for instance in the type approval process, László Palkovics indicated.
He also discussed how the test environment in Zalaegerszeg could be used for other high-tech products, building on the automotive industry. Following the government’s decision that Hungary should strive to play a prominent role in Europe in the field of humanoid robots, companies that test robots inside and outside buildings will soon appear at ZalaZONE, and the smart city created there is ideal for this purpose.
Fact
Automotive proving grounds, or test tracks, are dedicated facilities for road vehicle testing and validation. ZalaZONE, a high-technology proving ground operated by AVL, spans 250 hectares adjacent to Zalaegerszeg. The track is specifically designed to support the development and validation of autonomous and electric cars, while also enabling dynamics and durability testing of conventional vehicles.In response to a question from MTI, László Palkovics said that
the ZalaZONE proving ground is already used by around 80 car manufacturers and automotive suppliers, who return regularly, and Chinese and Turkish companies are also showing serious interest.
László Vigh, the region’s member of parliament (Fidesz-KDNP), recalled at the event that the proving ground was only 30 percent complete when the first customers arrived, and later it was necessary to expand the technical building complex, which was originally designed to accommodate 12 passenger cars and 6 trucks.
ZalaZONE’s newly completed track element on the day of the handover, May 14, 2025. Photo: MTI/Katona Tibor
The 4.4-kilometer oval track, capable of speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour, was completed last year, and development of a 265-hectare site continues based on customer demand. In the surrounding industrial area, Flex opened its new factory hall in the fall, following AVL, Bosch, and Rheinmetall, and further investors are expected.
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Katona Tibor
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