Audi's Hungarian expansion plans are under threat from a green group

GYŐR, Hungary - The Tiszántúli Természetvédők Társulata (Society of Conservationits of Eastern Hungary) appealed against the European Comission's approval, which would enable Audi to set up a new production facility near the city of Győr.

The new plant, which will churn out A3 Sedans is scheduled to be opened in 2013. But if the greens are succesful, they can delay or thwart the EUR 900 million investment.

Tiszántúli Természetvédők Társulata has two arguments:
- a technicality in the permission process
- and a concern that wildlife in the affected area -- which also includes part of a nature reserve -- can be successfully migrated elsewhere.

The European Comission granted its approval on the condition that Audi will set up new places for the wildlife. Audi won various awards for its green efforts since it launched operations in Hungary in 1993 and from time to time it participates in forest-plantation - it recently planted 16000 oak seedlings near Győr.

Tiszántúli Természetvédők Társulata first released a press release, "the humiliation of the environmental democracy" in March, 2011. It is now followed by a 2000-page appeal.

It is worth remembering, that green groups are a force to be reckoned with in Hungary. Another group, Levegő Munkacsoport has been succesfully blocking the completion of the M0 ringroad for over 20 years now.