Hungarian rhapsody conducted by DAF
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LEGENDARY production figures in the psv sector and a high standing in the quality rating of East Bloc commercial vehicles have given the Hungarian motor industry a reputation which owes not a little to the licensing agreements with MAN and other Western makers.
Termination in 1981 of the co-operation contract between MAN and the Raba plant in Gyor is now foreshadowed by the adoption of the DAF cab for certain models by the Hungarian builder. Introduction of DAF into the Eastern -bazaar" is believed to be part of the wider links under which International Harvester has become another customer for Raba-made rear axles,
These components are now also being supplied to General Motors (Bedford), Ford and Eaton. Although licensing agreements for certain MAN engines were extended, projects for a wider range of power units now include the collaboration of the Austrian Professional List Consultancy with Hungarian engineers.
It is also expected that termination of the MAN agreements next year will allow Raba to explore new export markets and these may include Western European countries.
In the passenger vehicle, sector lkarus, with a production target for 1980 of 13,600 units, is also eyeing new marketing areas. With a catholic attitude towards building on outside makers' chassis lkarus already includes Volvo, Scania, Renault and Steyr as cooperators and, more recently, the Bedford YMT has been listed as an option for the model 238 interurban bus.
Ikarus claims 28 per cent of the world market for articulated city buses.