Revenues of the unit, located in Kecskemét in central Hungary, climbed more than 4% to EUR 3.6 billion in 2017, Wolff was cited as saying by state news agency MTI.

Josip Niksic, finance director at Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary, said the share of Hungarian suppliers to the unit rose to over 50% last year. The unit is plowing back its profits into developments, including a EUR 580 million chassis plant and EUR 1 bln plant expansion, he added.

Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary will lay the cornerstone of the expansion in just a few weeks, Wolff said. Additionally, it is undertaking developments at the existing plant, where production of A-Class models has already started, replacing production of B-Class models. 

At least 2,500 people will be hired at the base in the coming period, adding to the existing headcount, which stands at 4,000.

Revenues of Mercedes-Benz Hungária Kft., which sells the Mercedes-Benz brand locally, rose 26% to HUF 101 bln last year, said Jörg Schmidt, the unitʼs managing director. 

In Q1 2018, the brand remained market leader in the premium segment with sales of 836 cars, up 33% year-on-year, he added.