Hungary Foreign Investments Japan

Surrounded by a crew of recent converts at this lonely industrial outpost near the Czechoslovak border, Shizuo Horio has adopted the role of a missionary--for the Japanese brand of capitalism. Horio is in charge of looking after the interests of Nitto Boseki, a Tokyo spinning company that has a 21% stake in a $25-million joint-venture factory making fiberglass insulation material.

Surrounded by a crew of recent converts at this lonely industrial outpost near the Czechoslovak border, Shizuo Horio has adopted the role of a missionary--for the Japanese brand of capitalism. Horio is in charge of looking after the interests of Nitto Boseki, a Tokyo spinning company that has a 21% stake in a $25-million joint-venture factory making fiberglass insulation material.

Suzuki Motor Co., Japan's top maker of minicars, said Tuesday it has agreed to launch a $138-million joint venture in Hungary to manufacture subcompact passenger cars. "A broad agreement has been reached on the project after rounds of negotiations held between both parties, and the project will be carried out with the understanding and cooperation of authorities concerned," the company said.

In what could become the largest American investment in Eastern Europe since the collapse of the hard-line Communist regimes there, General Motors said Thursday that it may soon become the first American auto maker to produce cars in Hungary. The world's largest auto company is in the "advanced stages" of talks with a Hungarian trade group about opening an assembly plant for small cars, as well as an accompanying engine factory.

In what could become the largest American investment in Eastern Europe since the collapse of the hard-line Communist regimes there, General Motors said Thursday that it may soon become the first American auto maker to produce cars in Hungary. The world's largest auto company is in the "advanced stages" of talks with a Hungarian trade group about opening an assembly plant for small cars, as well as an accompanying engine factory.

Suzuki Motor Co., Japan's top maker of minicars, said Tuesday it has agreed to launch a $138-million joint venture in Hungary to manufacture subcompact passenger cars. "A broad agreement has been reached on the project after rounds of negotiations held between both parties, and the project will be carried out with the understanding and cooperation of authorities concerned," the company said.