On July 3, 2023, protests erupted at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen, Germany, following the announcement of intensified cost-cutting measures, including a freeze on special payments and demands for increased productivity without wage adjustments. In stark contrast, on July 13, the company celebrated the opening of a new production section in Kecskemét, Hungary, which will double the plant’s capacity to 400,000 vehicles annually, making it the largest Mercedes facility in Europe. CEO Ola Källenius emphasized the integration of high quality and cost efficiency, while Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar hailed the development as a testament to German-Hungarian cooperation.