First Double-Decker Car Body Produced in Szolnok

The first aluminum double-decker car body produced at the Szolnok (E Hungary) facility of the Swiss manufacturer of railway rolling stock, Stadler, was unveiled at 15th anniversary of the facility this Friday. This milestone was achieved as part of an EUR 45.2 million investment launched in 2023, enabling the Szolnok plant to become the largest car body manufacturing hub for both the company and the region, the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA) reports.

Stadler has been shaping the future of rail transportation for over 80 years. Headquartered in Bussnang, Switzerland, the company employs around 14,500 people across its production sites, engineering centers, and maintenance facilities worldwide.

In Hungary, Stadler’s presence spans 15 years. The Szolnok plant has produced a total of 5,600 car bodies since its establishment, surpassing the symbolic 5,000-unit milestone in September 2023. Trains featuring car bodies manufactured in Szolnok operate in 14 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands. The group’s EUR 200 million total investment in their Hungarian site reflects their commitment to innovation and growth in the region.

This Friday marked a significant breakthrough as the Hungarian subsidiary presented the first-ever locally produced double-decker aluminum car body. This achievement is part of a major capacity expansion initiated in 2023. The implementation of advanced manufacturing technology represents a key development in the history of Hungary’s rail industry and reflects the consistent progress of the Szolnok facility over the past 15 years, the statement points out.

During the unveiling ceremony, Stadler announced plans for another investment in Szolnok: implementing cutting-edge welding technology to optimize material usage, reduce waste, and to further enhance sustainability.

As a key player in Hungary’s rail sector, Stadler has nearly 200 vehicles operating on Hungarian railway lines, including in the Budapest metropolitan area.