Important announcement was made this morning regarding the future of Hungary’s automotive industry and innovation: on May 13, a bill will be presented to the Hungarian Parliament that allows for the establishment of a new, independent public asset management foundation to oversee the development and operation of the ZalaZONE Automotive Proving Ground. This decision opens valuable opportunities for the region and the country, as the change could lead to a stronger, more flexible, and more innovative economic ecosystem.
The announcement was made at the city hall by László Palkovics, the government’s Commissioner for Artificial Intelligence, and Zoltán Balaicz, Mayor of Zalaegerszeg. During the event, it was revealed that the previous ownership structure, in which the Széchenyi István University Foundation in Győr was the main owner of the proving ground, is changing. Following the separation of existing assets and public tasks, a new organization called the ZalaZONE Foundation will be established. This step not only simplifies operational processes and enhances efficiency but also opens up further innovation opportunities for the region.
Zoltán Balaicz emphasized that the development of the test track and the associated industrial park has been exemplary over the past decade: since 2016, more than a thousand new jobs have been created in the region, and local corporate tax revenues have exceeded several hundred million forints. According to the city leader, it is especially important who manages and leads this economic and research-development ecosystem, as it directly influences the future and competitiveness of the region. Therefore, the creation of the new foundation enjoys the support of the local government, ensuring stable and locally managed operations.
László Palkovics highlighted that Hungary plays a particularly important strategic role in the globally reshaping automotive environment, not only economically but also in terms of national strategy. Among Hungary’s development initiatives, one of the most significant is supporting innovations based on artificial intelligence, for which the Zalaegerszeg test track provides an excellent platform. Therefore, the government supports the future of the region and the country by submitting this bill.
The bill stipulates that the assets and responsibilities of the company operating the test track—currently owned by the Széchenyi István University Foundation, namely Autóipari Próbapálya Zala Kft.—will be transferred to the new foundation, in which the state will participate as a co-founder. The goal of this change is to make innovation and research-development steps faster and more efficient, while continuing to use the assets for their intended purposes. Additionally, the state will still play an important role in financing tenders and investments.
In the future, local representatives will also be part of the board of trustees and supervisory board, ensuring the representation of local interests. The established cooperation between central and local authorities will enable Zalaegerszeg to continue playing a leading role in Europe in automotive research and development, while the region’s economic growth will also accelerate significantly.
This step aligns with Hungary’s national strategy, which emphasizes the importance of developing the automotive industry and artificial intelligence as key components of building a sustainable and competitive economy. According to government plans, the swift adoption of this bill will facilitate continuous development and rapid response to innovation challenges.
It is envisioned that, in the future, the test track and associated R&D center will be among the world’s best, which will be significant not only economically but also in increasing the international competitiveness of the Hungarian automotive industry and maintaining technological leadership. The goal is for the region and the country to increasingly become a center of innovation in green and smart mobility, thereby supporting sustainability and digital transition.
Furthermore, the development of the test track reaches another milestone: on Wednesday, the 250 km/h oval track will be inaugurated, which will be a prominent element in European-level testing and research. This development will further strengthen Zalaegerszeg’s position as a hub for international automotive innovation, enabling manufacturers, research institutes, and startups to test and develop cutting-edge technologies.
