Career

Krisztián Horváth: From the Hills of Zala to the Heart of Audi #AudiEmployeesintheWorld

2026. 05. 08.

Krisztián Horváth started his career as a transport engineer, later became a vehicle engineer, then moved from analysis engineering to IT controlling. During his university years in Győr, he became fascinated by the Audi brand – and everything it stands for. His journey to the parent company in Ingolstadt was driven by a desire for discovery: he wanted to get to know the company from which the four-ringed site in Győr had been developed more than three decades ago.

Could you tell us about the period before your Audi career? Where do you come from? Where did you study?

I was born in Zalaegerszeg and studied there until my path led me to Széchenyi István University. Apart from the Budapest University of Technology, the transport engineering programme was only available there. Coming from a small town in Zala, I found Győr much more appealing than Budapest, which is why I chose the county seat of Western Hungary.
 

Did Audi already play a role in that decision?

Not at that point. However, road transport clearly dominates in Hungary, so transport engineering studies focus largely on this area, which naturally pointed towards the automotive sector – something that had already interested me. And since many things at the university in Győr are closely linked to Audi, I increasingly immersed myself in what the four-ring brand represents. The high-tech manufacturing environment led, on the one hand, to Audi becoming my first car. On the other hand – and this is far more important here – I was already actively looking for opportunities during my studies to get a taste of life at Audi.
 

When did that opportunity come?

While I was still studying for my bachelor’s degree, I applied for an engineering internship at the company. This was in the summer of 2015, when I joined the Operations Management team and began familiarising myself with the Audi world through operational tasks.
 

And that experience eventually led to a full-time position at Audi Hungaria.

Exactly, and in the same field where I had previously been an intern. From April 2017, as a full-time analysis engineer, I was responsible for the EA288 base engine production line as well as customer interface activities related to this powertrain. This meant representing diesel engines towards the Group plants involved in delivery, working closely with the Mexican plant in San José Chiapa, the SEAT plant in Martorell, Škoda’s main manufacturing site in Mladá Boleslav, and the Volkswagen Group headquarters in Wolfsburg.
 

As we know, quite a lot happened before your assignment abroad – both at university and at Audi Hungaria.

At Széchenyi István University, I earned a master’s degree in vehicle engineering, guided by Audi instructors and Audi-oriented professional direction. My desire to acquire new knowledge extended beyond my studies and into my work as well. That is why I changed roles in 2020 and started working as a controller responsible for engine components. This allowed me to stay close to technology while also gaining insight into the financial mindset, which is an important element of decision-making.
 

Is discovering new things your main source of motivation at work?

I would rather say that challenges motivate me. And Audi offers an almost incredible number of opportunities in this regard, thanks to the exceptionally strong team behind the premium brand and the diversity of activities.
 

What are you most proud of from your career in Győr?

On a personal level, I consider the shift in perspective the greatest benefit. From a professional standpoint, I am proud that I became a key contributor in product controlling and was among the first to help this area gain recognition within the Volkswagen Group.

How did the opportunity for the assignment come about?

I indicated to my managers that I would be happy to try myself at another Group location in order to experience the Audi world from a different perspective. Knowing my affinity for learning new things, they offered me a position in the IT controlling area, which was undergoing restructuring at the time, in Ingolstadt.

Why did you decide to take on the assignment? What attracted you to it?

Primarily the desire for discovery. I wanted to get to know the parent company from which the site in Győr had been developed more than three decades ago, and I was also very curious about Bavarian culture.

What are the main differences between the culture there and at home?

There are significant differences in habits and culture. In terms of work, what stood out most was how differently time is used in Ingolstadt – even meals are often considered working lunches. More generally, I was particularly struck by how important the preservation of traditions is, even among younger people, who actively take part in maintaining them.
 

What is your relationship like with your colleagues in Ingolstadt?

Even after the restructuring, a very strong team emerged, with exemplary collaboration and communication. I was welcomed extremely positively, with great openness, and was almost immediately included in daily life. Many leisure events are organised for employees, and football is another strong bonding factor. Not only is football played at a high level here, but the fan culture is equally strong.

Where do you currently work and what are your day-to-day tasks?

I continue to work in IT controlling, primarily in a coordination role. I am responsible, among other things, for company-wide IT reports, Performance Programs, and I also fulfil a kind of central function. This field was completely new to me. Corporate IT controlling differs significantly from other controlling areas, as investment costs are also part of cost planning in addition to indirect costs. I had to learn a great deal, but I was completely open to this and received all the support I needed.

In your opinion, which personal or professional qualities are essential for succeeding in an assignment abroad?

Since I had no prior experience in IT and fixed-cost controlling, I was mainly drawn by the fascination of something new and the professional challenge itself. Based on this, I would say that a high level of openness and willingness to learn is essential in order to master unfamiliar processes in an unfamiliar environment. In addition, flexibility, adaptability and quick decision-making are also necessary – including on the part of the family.

So you didn’t move abroad on your own…

I moved to Ingolstadt with my wife in April 2024, and six months later our son Noel was born there.

How do you spend your free time in this phase of life?

We go on lots of excursions, mostly to places suitable for walks with a baby. We have visited both the Bavarian and Austrian Alps, mainly around the lakes. One of our future plans is a longer trip to Berlin. At the same time, both together and individually, we try to take advantage of leisure opportunities that wouldn’t be possible at home – for example, I attended a Bayern Munich match. Sport has always played an important role in my life, not only as a spectator. I regularly cycle to work; the roughly 20-minute ride in the morning and afternoon can be very pleasant and refreshing. Together with my wife, we are also gradually reintroducing tennis into our lives.

How long does your assignment last?

The three-year assignment ends next April.

What do you miss most from home?

For both of us, it is clearly our family environment and the friends we left behind in Győr – and, of course, Túró Rudi.

How often do you visit home?

Roughly every six to eight weeks. Sometimes just for a long weekend, on other occasions for a bit longer.

Can you imagine staying abroad even after the assignment ends?

Looking into a crystal ball is almost mandatory for a controlling professional, and yet I cannot give a definitive answer. What is certain is that I remain open to working abroad, provided it fits our current life situation. Professionally speaking, I believe it is extremely valuable to be able to prove oneself in an external Group environment.

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