A Magna official confirmed plan B was also being worked on for the case the investment in Slovenia is cancelled.

The head of the Magna project in Slovenia, David Adam, told the press that Magna wanted to demonstrate to neighbouring municipalities that it planned to be a good neighbour.

He could not lay out any detailed timeline for the project, which has received some opposition due to the plant's location on farm land, revealing only that the environmental permit proceedings are progressing well.

The contract with the state, which has changed its legislation to accommodate the investment and approved a EUR 19m incentive, will be signed once all the remaining obstacles are surmounted successfully, he said.

Adam did confirm that Magna has a backup plan involving Hungary, but would prefer to stick to the original plan. If we see things developing in the right direction, we will persist, he announced.

Maribor Mayor Andrej Fištravec meanwhile reiterated support for the investment and invited Magna to the autumn career fair, "where they will be able to present their needs and production and direct the local population" towards the right professions.