The Czech Republic lost out in its bid to bring BMW to the country for the construction of a new €1bn automobile plant. The German giant chose the eastern Hungarian town of Debrecin instead, where at least 1000 people are to be hired from the outset. The plant will eventually be turning out 150,000 electric and traditional cars per year. Labor supply is thought to have been one of the deciding factors in the decision, as the Czech Republic continues to have one of the lowest levels of unemployment in the European Union. It means that BMW will be limiting its investment in the country to a €250m road testing facility in Sokolov, a small town not far from Karlovy Vary. Hungary already has automobile plants producing cars by Suzuki, Mercedes and Audi.
