Category China

Summary of New Investments and Expansion Trends in European Manufacturing

While Europe’s manufacturing sector is often portrayed as being in decline, investment activity tells a more nuanced story. In Central and Eastern Europe in particular, new projects in electric vehicles, batteries, defense, and high-value manufacturing continue to move forward. This article reviews major new investments and expansion projects announced between late 2025 and early 2026, with a focus on Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Chinese Manufacturers in Hungary and the Latest Developments

Hungary is emerging as a key hub for Chinese manufacturing investment in Europe. Major players such as BYD, CATL, and NIO are building or expanding EV and battery plants, while companies like Lenovo and Wanhua Chemical are strengthening their European bases. With investments ranging from hundreds of millions to several billion euros and projects creating thousands of jobs, Hungary has become a strategic gateway for Chinese firms thanks to government incentives and its strong automotive industrial base.

Trends in Manufacturing Investment by Foreign Companies in the Czech Republic

Since 2025, the Czech Republic has witnessed a surge of foreign manufacturing investments in high-tech sectors such as electric vehicles, batteries, and semiconductors. Companies from Europe, the U.S., and Asia are building new plants and expanding capacity, backed by government incentives and the country’s central European location. These projects, ranging from multibillion-dollar semiconductor fabs to new EV battery plants, are creating thousands of jobs and reinforcing the Czech Republic’s role as a manufacturing hub in Europe.

Latest Trends in Manufacturing Investment by Foreign Companies in Slovakia

Slovakia, often called the “Detroit of Europe,” continues to attract large-scale foreign manufacturing investment. Since 2025, global companies from Europe, the U.S., Korea, and China have expanded their presence, particularly in electric vehicles and battery industries. Major projects include Volvo’s €1.2 billion EV plant near Košice, Hyundai Mobis’ new EV module factory in Nováky, and Gotion-InoBat’s €1.2 billion battery gigafactory in Šurany, together creating thousands of new jobs and reinforcing Slovakia’s role as a Central European hub for green and high-tech industries.

Chinese Manufacturing Investments in Hungary After 2025: Current Status and Outlook

Hungary has become a key hub for Chinese manufacturing investment in Europe, attracting major projects in EV batteries, vehicle assembly, steel, and electronics. As of 2025, over €16 billion in Chinese projects are underway nationwide, including CATL and EVE’s battery mega-plants in Debrecen, BYD’s car and bus factories in Szeged and Komárom, Liberty Steel’s green steel upgrade with CISDI, and Lenovo’s first European factory. This article provides an overview of the investment amounts, construction status, and planned operation dates for these flagship projects.