Audi says environmental group's appeal against Hungary expansion has been withdrawn

A Hungarian environmental group has reportedly withdrawn its appeal against German automaker Audi's planned expansion of its Gyor factory in western Hungary. This, according to Audi, removes a hurdle in the way of the automaker's 900 million-euro ($1.29 billion U.S. at the current exchange rate) project.

Audi spokeswoman Monika Czechmeister told Reuters that:

We were informed today that the plaintiff has withdrawn the appeal. Now we are waiting for the construction permit, and when we have all the permits needed, we launch the investment.

Back in April, an environmental group filed an appeal claiming that Audi's land-use permit contained procedural errors. Additionally, the group voiced concerns that wildlife in the expansion area, which includes a portion of a nature reserve, would be negatively impacted by the swelling of the Gyor factory. Audi did not comment on why the appeal was dropped.

[Source: Reuters]