A new independent foundation has been established in Zalaegerszeg to oversee and develop the country’s cutting-edge vehicle test facility and its surrounding innovation ecosystem. The ZalaZONE Foundation, now a legally, professionally, and physically autonomous entity, will serve as a key driver of Hungary’s industrial and technological advancement, Chairman of the foundation’s board László Palkovics said at a press conference on Tuesday.
According to Palkovics, the foundation operates as a public-interest organization that is not tied to any single university or car manufacturer, as it intends to provide services for all stakeholders. The transition to independence will allow the facility, which previously operated under the Széchenyi István University in Győr, to collaborate more broadly with other universities and research centres.
The foundation connects industry, academia, and innovation partners, and plans to use both Hungarian and European funding sources to support research conducted in Zalaegerszeg. The board and supervisory committee are composed of members with strong local ties, and the organization will operate from both Zalaegerszeg and Budapest.
Beyond automotive testing, the ZalaZONE Foundation will engage in new technology fields, including robotics, agriculture, and energy systems. As an example, Palkovics mentioned a solar park project where raspberries will be cultivated and harvested using robotic technology. He noted that robotics is expected to become as important as the automotive sector, and ZalaZONE aims to play a significant role in this emerging field.
László Vigh, the region’s Fidesz MP, highlighted that what has been achieved in Zalaegerszeg is of national and even international importance, describing the facility as the Silicon Valley of the automotive industry. Companies such as AVL, Rheinmetall, Bosch, and Flex have already established development or manufacturing bases in the area.
Chief Administrator of Zala County Rózsa Sifter emphasized that the creation of the test track and the new foundation reflects nearly a decade of collective effort that has placed Zalaegerszeg on Europe’s map of industrial and research development.
Mayor Zoltán Balaicz added that while the test track has always physically belonged to Zalaegerszeg, it has now returned to the city legally as well. Over the past decade, unemployment in the city has dropped from 7.5 to 2.3 per cent, local industrial tax revenue has more than doubled, and 5,000 new jobs have been created, clear indicators that the test track has delivered on its promise of growth and innovation.
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