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AutoWallis expands their portfolio with electric brands

Geely in Austria

AutoWallis is further strengthening its portfolio with another leading brand after signing a distribution agreement for Austria with China’s Geely Auto. The agreement covers the Austrian distribution rights of the Geely brand this time. With this step, AutoWallis further expands the number of brands it represents and strengthens its cooperation with the world’s eighth largest vehicle manufacturer, while further diversifying its position in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Geely brand will enter the Austrian market in 2026 with two models and two types of powertrains: the E5, and the Starray EM-I models are a mid-range, elegant yet distinctive SUV. E5’s design has earned several prestigious international awards, including the Red Dot Award, the MUSE Design Award, the IDA Design Award, and the A’ Design Award. E5 has an outstanding drag coefficient of 0.269 and will be available with a 60.22 kWh battery pack, promising a WLTP range of 430 km, while the plug-in hybrid model with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and 18.4 kWh battery has a total output of 217 hp and a range of approximately 940 km.

 

 

XPENG in Romania

AutoWallis, the leading integrated car dealer and mobility service provider in the CEE region, has reached a tripartite agreement with its Portuguese partner, the Salvador Caetano Group and the innovative, AI-focused Chinese car manufacturer XPENG to become the importer of XPENG in Romania. This agreement is built on the foundations of the already ongoing cooperation in three other CEE countries (Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia) in 2025 with the innovative, AI-focused Chinese car manufacturer. Sales in the fourth market is expected to start early this summer.

The brand is at the forefront of the new energy car revolution: the quality of their cars is competing with the world’s leading premium manufacturers, and its technological superiority is outstanding in areas such as artificial intelligence, ultra-fast charging or advanced autonomous driving.

Commenting on this recent milestone, Gábor Ormosy, CEO of AutoWallis highlighted, that “We are delighted that XPENG has entrusted AutoWallis and our partner Salvador Caetano with a fourth market, especially given that Romania is the second most populous country in Central Eastern Europe. Compared to the three markets where we already started operations in 2025, Romania represents an additional sales volume opportunity of around 60%.”

Three MGFÜ publications are already helping SMEs with ESG issues

A key objective of the Hungarian Economic Development Agency (MGFÜ) is to expand and develop Hungarian businesses’ knowledge of ESG and to prepare companies affected by the ESG Act to meet reporting requirements.

The MGFÜ is helping businesses navigate the world of ESG with three free publications in Hungarian, enabling them to easily, quickly, and clearly integrate the regulations into their day-to-day operations:

  • ESG Basics 1: Corporate sustainability and ESG fundamentals, overview of the legal framework
  • ESG Basics 2: ESG criteria and reporting systems, disclosure of ESG activities and obtaining ratings
  • ESG Basics 3: Data collection and analysis, data reporting

Additional publications are in preparation, which will assist businesses in various areas. The publications already released are available here.

Source: MGFÜ, vali.hu

Credible leaders, exemplary actions and innovative business solutions for systemic change – Inspiration Breakfast with the Winners of the “For a Sustainable Future” Award

The application period for the 2026 “For a Sustainable Future” Award opens on 18 May. In connection with this, and to encourage action and the achievement of sustainable corporate operations, the “For a Sustainable Future” Inspiration Breakfast was held on 6 May 2026, organized by the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH).

The event, which provided an opportunity to gain deeper insight into the winners of the 2025 award established to recognize outstanding individual and corporate achievements in the field of corporate sustainability, was hosted by Balázs Sepsey, Office Managing Partner of KINSTELLAR, who welcomed participants to the gathering.

 „The world to which we adapted our companies, business models and systems no longer exists. Challenges are intensifying, and companies are already experiencing the growing impacts of climate change in their day-to-day operations. This makes rapid action and the transformation of our systems into more sustainable and resilient ones essential,” said Attila Chikán Jr., President of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH), in his opening remarks. “With the ‘For a Sustainable Future’ Award and this event, our aim is to inspire companies and their leaders to integrate sustainability considerations into their decision-making and to develop business solutions that go beyond business as usual. By scaling these solutions across the wider business community, we can achieve real, broad impact and accelerate systemic change,” he added.

Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH and moderator of the event, emphasized that “we are continuously seeking ways to accelerate sustainability processes and support business leaders in initiating systemic change.” One of the explicit goals of the Inspiration Breakfast was to showcase previous award winners as credible change leaders, as well as to present creative business models and solutions in order to inspire outstanding applications during the 10th edition of the “For a Sustainable Future” Award, whose application period runs from 18 May to 18 July 2026.

Achieving truly sustainable operations embedded at a strategic level and throughout the entire company is unimaginable without credible, committed leaders and outstanding companies.The executive roundtable discussion with the 2025 individual award winners explored the background of the applications and the personal motivations behind their dedication and commitment. The discussion was moderated by Irén Márta, Managing Director of BCSDH, and featured:

  • László Fazekas, Deputy CEO for Economic Affairs of MVM Zrt.,
  • Tamás Kaibinger, Managing Director of Lidl Hungary,
  • Rudolf Semsei, Owner and Managing Director of VakVarjú Restaurants, Budapest Party Service and Dobay Confectioneries,
  • and Ágnes Rakó, Managing Director and Partner of KPMG Advisory Ltd..

Business solutions that go beyond business as usual and can be scaled, adapted and extended to other actors in the business sector are key drivers of systemic change. The following award-winning solutions from 2025 were presented and discussed:

  • the Grundfos Green Future Innovation Program, presented by environmental engineer Szilvia Gärtner,
  • and the HEINEKEN Net Zero Production program, presented by OpCo Chief engineer Gábor Ligeti.

In 2026, BCSDH will once again launch the “For a Sustainable Future” Award between 18 May and 18 July, continuing to focus on areas where companies can have a significant impact on transforming systems, across the following four main categories:

For a Sustainable Future Award 2026

In 2026, BCSDH will once again launch the “For a Sustainable Future” Award between 18 May and 18 July, continuing to focus on areas where companies can have a significant impact on transforming systems, across the following four main categories:

  1. Change Leader – Award for outstanding leadership by example and responsibility-taking
    Change Leader Award – BCSDH
  2. Leading Woman
    Leading Woman Award – BCSDH
  3. Corporate Transformation – Award for the greatest progress made towards achieving sustainable operations
    Corporate Transformation Award – BCSDH
  4. Business Model / Business Solution
    in one of the following areas:
      • Circular Economy
      • Climate Protection and Adaptation
      • Biodiversity Preservation and Restoration
      • Human Value

Business Solution Award – BCSDH

How is the business sector responding to climate change? – the experiences of the Race to Zero working group, from mitigation and adaptation to resilience

The built environment plays a key role in both achieving climate-neutral operations and building resilience—this was one of the main messages from the BCSDH Race to Zero working group on May 5.

The event was opened by Irén Márta, managing director of the BCSDH, and Zsolt Hintenberger, founding partner of the host company Realiscon. In their opening remarks, they emphasized that companies play an indispensable role in combating climate change, particularly through the built environment.

   

Tímea Fazekas, Business Development Manager at Realiscon, explained what sustainability in the built environment means to the company, emphasizing the importance of landscape architecture and the restoration and creation of natural habitats.

A presentation by our cooperating partner, Deloitte, on the latest findings of the Towards Net Zero survey conducted among member companies provided a comprehensive overview of corporate trends. In her presentation, Senior Manager Flóra Borek highlighted that member companies are increasingly focusing on mitigation and adaptation, yet the assessment and strategic integration of climate risks still require improvement in many cases.

The Towards Net survey conducted among member companies provided a comprehensive overview of corporate trends. Gábor Roszik, Quality  Manager at Colas Magyarország Zrt., presented on sustainability issues in infrastructure and road construction. His presentation revealed that carbon-conscious solutions and resilience have become critical factors not only from an environmental perspective but also, unequivocally, from a business perspective. Changes taking place in the industry indicate that climate risk analysis now forms the basis for strategic decisions.

The program continued with moderated panel discussions, where participants had the opportunity to share their experiences and practical solutions. As the group discussed these issues, it became clear that responses to climate change are now matters of competitiveness, and that engaging the entire value chain and raising awareness remain significant challenges.

The official part of the event concluded with an informal discussion, which further strengthened the potential for cooperation in the field of sustainability.

Thanks for our Race to Zero program sponsors!

Sponsor of our carbon-conscious events:

While we should approach it with a critical eye, artificial intelligence is also a useful tool for ESG

On April 21, 2026, we held the latest meeting of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary (BCSDH) ESG Working Group at the IFUA Horváth, which focused on the connections between artificial intelligence, sustainability, and ESG.

The development of artificial intelligence has brought significant changes to the field of ESG management and reporting as well, noted Dr. Viktória Bodnár, managing director of IFUA Horváth, in her opening remarks. She emphasized that sustainability management must become more digital, integrated, and strategic.

In her presentation, Nóra Stancsics, Principal at IFUA Horváth, focused on the potential of AI to support ESG management and reporting. She pointed out that digitalization and efficiency have become expectations in these areas as well. The application of AI – from data collection through narrative development to analysis – can provide significant support in complex ESG reporting processes; however, the conscious and controlled use of technology is essential for risk management.

Anita Kopcsó, a senior manager at EY, then presented the concept of the BCSDH’s new Digital and AI Working Group. The initiative aims to explore the impact of AI and digitalization on corporate operations and sustainability performance, while supporting member companies through practical examples and experiences. In her presentation, she noted that digitalization can lead to significant efficiency gains, but the direction of its sustainability impacts requires further investigation.

Irén Márta, Director of BCSDH, briefly introduced the Dedycating project, which aims to develop methodological tools that enable the use of artificial intelligence for the dynamic development of curricula and the creation of sector-specific learning materials.

To conclude the program, participants shared their own experiences with AI applications in the ESG field during small-group discussions, with a particular focus on opportunities and emerging challenges. The groups identified several areas in the corporate use of AI that raise numerous questions. These include data security, the organization of management processes, creativity, and the need for critical thinking.

Thanks to our sponsors!

Flexible energy solutions for sustainable and predictable operations

The functioning of energy markets is increasingly shaped not only by economic factors but also by geopolitical developments. Global events are rapidly and directly reflected in European energy prices, resulting in sustained volatility and market movements that are difficult to predict. In this environment, the role of energy is also evolving: for companies, it is no longer merely a cost factor, but a strategic resource that directly influences operations and competitiveness.

E.ON Hungária Group aims to support its customers in adopting a more conscious and forward-looking approach to energy procurement, even in a constantly changing market environment. The Group offers solutions that enable customers to tailor their energy strategies to their specific operations and needs, while remaining flexible in response to market developments.

Sustainability has become an integral part of energy procurement. Companies are placing increasing emphasis on ensuring that their energy consumption meets not only economic but also environmental expectations. In line with this, E.ON provides solutions that support a higher share of renewable energy in supply portfolios and contribute to the achievement of corporate sustainability goals.

Flexible contractual structures – including fixed-price and market-based solutions, as well as their combinations – allow companies to balance cost considerations with operational flexibility. The development of a conscious energy strategy increasingly depends on timing, contractual design, and the appropriate combination of available solutions.

Digitalisation is also becoming a key enabler: time-based tariffs built on smart metering data allow for more precise consumption planning and more effective utilisation of market opportunities. This type of flexibility is particularly valuable in an environment characterised by rapidly changing prices.

When designing contractual structures, adapting to market conditions becomes a priority. E.ON offers agreements across different time horizons, enabling customers to choose solutions that best fit their operations—whether prioritising short-term flexibility or longer-term predictability.

As the energy market continues to evolve, the role of the energy trader is also transforming. Beyond ensuring supply, increasing emphasis is placed on informed planning and decision support. In this context, flexible energy supply is not merely a tool, but a key enabler of predictable, responsible and sustainable long-term operations.

Greater transparency, fewer misconceptions in the energy storage market

ALTEO is launching a free, online report that provides operators, owners, and prospective investors in energy storage with real, first-hand data on potential returns.

The objective is clear: to help dispel misconceptions and uncertainties surrounding energy storage, and to support well-informed decision-making in a rapidly evolving market environment.

The market is constantly changing—making it especially important that decisions are based on up-to-date, real-world data.

The full report is available on ALTEO’s website.

ALTEO’s energy storage capacity has expanded significantly

The unit inaugurated in Győr, with a capacity of nearly 100 MWh and a power output of 49.9 MW, is currently Hungary’s largest industrial energy storage facility, accounting on its own for approximately 20% of the country’s total storage capacity. With the commissioning of the fifth lithium-ion storage unit in Bana—featuring 10 MW power and 20 MWh capacity—ALTEO’s total energy storage capacity has increased to 80 MW.

In the field of energy storage, the primary challenge today is no longer the technology itself, but how to operate available capacities efficiently within a market environment. In recent years, ALTEO has built its own digital production management and optimization solutions around this challenge, enabling it to efficiently manage not only its own assets but also the portfolios of its partners.

The new units are connected to ALTEO’s VPP, allowing them to actively participate in the flexibility and balancing processes of the domestic electricity market.

Successful PICASSO accreditation at ALTEO

ALTEO has successfully completed MAVIR’s aFRR accreditation tests, thereby meeting the prerequisite for joining the PICASSO platform. As of October 1, 2026, the company will be able to provide balancing services not only domestically but across nearly the entire continent.

During the accreditation process, one of Hungary’s largest regulation capacities—comprising several hundred MWs and integrating both conventional and renewable generation—was successfully tested. In addition to ALTEO’s own power plants, solar facilities operating under KÁT, METÁR, and merchant market schemes from long-standing partners also contributed significant capacity to the accreditation.

Green transition is not a sprint, but a marathon.

Attila Chikán Jr., CEO of ALTEO, is a contributing author to the publication GREEN ECONOMY 2026 – the third edition of the Hungarian Association of Environmental Enterprises’ landmark study.

His article examines the industry and system-level issues shaping the sustainable transformation of Hungary’s electricity system, with particular focus on balancing sustainability, security of supply, and affordability. Global demand for electricity is growing at an unprecedented pace, while the expansion of renewable-based generation is bringing increasingly complex technical, grid-related, and regulatory challenges to the forefront.

The article also highlights that the stable long-term operation of the electricity system can only be ensured through a diversified asset portfolio, flexible reserves, and data-driven, intelligent control.

The GREEN ECONOMY 2026 publication can be downloaded via the link after providing personal details.

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