Hungary inaugurated a new 4.45-kilometre high-speed oval track at the ZalaZONE Automotive Test Track in Zalaegerszeg on Wednesday. Designed for testing vehicles at speeds of up to 250 kilometres per hour, the new facility marks a major milestone in the country’s automotive R&D ambitions.
Speaking at the event, State Secretary for Transport at the Ministry of Construction and Transport Bálint Nagy emphasized the strategic importance of the automotive sector to Hungary’s economy. He noted that Hungary continues to position itself as a bridge between advanced Western and Eastern technologies, hosting major automakers such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Suzuki, and BYD. ‘To remain a part of the automotive industry’s future, Hungary must focus not only on manufacturing but also on innovation and research,’ Nagy said, referencing the 2016 government decision that led to the creation of ZalaZONE.
Chamber of Commerce President Elek Nagy described ZalaZONE as ‘a manifestation of knowledge’, built on the foundations of engineering, academic, and practical expertise. He added that the Hungarian chamber system values collaboration and knowledge-sharing, with ZalaZONE representing these principles in action.
László Palkovics, government commissioner for artificial intelligence and managing director of the Zala Test Track Company, stated that the test track’s expansion will continue as automotive technologies evolve. Over 50 manufacturers already use the facility, with the goal to double that number. ZalaZONE currently serves not only European clients but also partners from China, Japan, South Korea, and Türkiye. He also noted that Hungary spends a larger share of GDP on automotive R&D than Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, or Romania. The test track, co-operated with the Austrian company AVL, has attracted companies to set up operations in Hungary specifically for its R&D capabilities.
The complex extends beyond vehicle testing. It hosts Rheinmetall’s state-of-the-art tank factory, a soon-to-be-inaugurated Flextronics facility producing power converters for BMW, and a Bosch research unit employing 250 scientists.
Hungarian Academy of Sciences member József Bokor highlighted that automotive research in Hungary dates back over 30 years. Institutions such as the Budapest University of Technology, SZTAKI, and Széchenyi István University in Győr have significantly contributed to automotive solutions, with ZalaZONE playing a key role in validating intelligent traffic control systems.
Local MP László Vigh recalled the 2016 government initiative that created the 265-hectare site, designed for testing electric and autonomous vehicles. He dubbed it ‘the Silicon Valley of the automotive industry’. The total planned investment for the facility is 45 billion forints. The newly completed high-speed track—merging German engineering precision with Hungarian innovation—is unique in Europe and positions ZalaZONE as a central player in the global mobility landscape.
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