ŠKODA is strengthening its innovative power and digital development expertise by establishing a digital lab in Prague.

Creative teams will be exploring and developing new business models in the innovative ideas workshop. This will involve integrating digital technologies more strongly into ŠKODA’s current core business, and developing innovative connectivity and mobility services. The pilot phase for the development of the digital lab will run until the end of 2016. The digital lab is then going to operate as an independent ŠKODA business entity.

“The development of new digital technologies and solutions is of central importance for ŠKODA’s future development,” says ŠKODA CEO Bernhard Maier “We are preparing for the digital age with our Digital Lab. Digitization, connectivity and new mobile services are among the cornerstones of our 2025 strategy. Our goal is to develop entirely new mobility solutions for our customers. The car shall remain our core product. In the future, we will complement this with services that make daily driving easier, safer, more efficient and comfortable. As a result, ŠKODA will be shifting from being purely a car manufacturer towards a mobility service provider.”

Innovative connectivity and mobility services will make a significant contribution to the company's future sales. The requirements for this are being created at the ŠKODA Digital Lab. Customer-oriented ideas and solutions can be quickly generated, tested and turned into marketable products.

In addition, the ŠKODA Digital Lab will be developing new working methods and forms of cooperation with external partners. This will include, among others, speed, adaptability and flexibility. The experience gained from the digital lab will be integrated into ŠKODA's corporate culture. Following the fundamental change in the automotive industry, the company will be in a position to meet the requirements of modern industrial culture.

“We want to send out signals for the mobility of the future – both internally and externally,” explains André Wehner, Head of Corporate Development and Digitization at ŠKODA. “The digital lab is creating the prerequisites for even greater innovative strength at ŠKODA, and will connect the automobile to the digital world.”

The exchange with other future workshops within the Volkswagen Group will be key. The ŠKODA Digital Lab will be working closely with the people responsible for digitizing the Volkswagen Group and the brands. The exchange of experience and results will therefore benefit the entire Volkswagen Group.

At the ŠKODA Digital Lab, creative minds from various fields will be developing ideas, and solutions – regardless of their parent company, start-up centre or incubator – that can be used in practice by the Czech automobile manufacturer. “With the Digital Lab, ŠKODA is taking a new path in the development of products and services. It will be important to optimally combine the learned working methods of the automotive industry with the requirements of the young digital world,” says Wehner.

The pilot phase of ŠKODA Digital Labs is currently underway. The Czech carmaker is working on this project in a strategic partnership with several development companies. IT professionals from ŠKODA and development companies are jointly developing novel technologies and solutions.

ŠKODA examined three vibrant areas of Prague, which are characterized by their creative environment, as possible locations for the digital lab. The Czech capital also has the advantage of being in close proximity to ŠKODA’s headquarters in Mladá Boleslav and leading technology companies in the country. The company envisages the workshop will commence operations as an independent ŠKODA business entity in 2017.

ŠKODA AUTO
› is one of the longest-established vehicle manufacturers in the world. The company was founded in 1895 – during the pioneering days of the automobile. Today, the company’s headquarters remain in Mladá Boleslav.
› currently offers the following models in the range: CITIGO, FABIA, RAPID, OCTAVIA, YETI, KODIAQ and SUPERB.
› in 2015 delivered more than 1 million vehicles to customers worldwide.
› has belonged to Volkswagen Group since 1991. The Volkswagen Group is one of the most successful vehicle manufacturers in the world. ŠKODA, in association with the Group, independently manufactures and develops vehicles, as well as components, engines and gear transmissions.
› operates at three locations in the Czech Republic, produces in China, Russia, Slovakia and India mainly through Group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine and Kazakhstan through local partners.
› employs over 26,600 people globally and is active in more than 100 markets.

Article source: www.skoda-garage.com

Seventh series expands ŠKODA’s portfolio in a strongly growing segment. Extensive expansion and modernization of manufacturing facilities for production launch in Kvasiny.

Launch of the ŠKODA KODIAQ: The series production of ŠKODA’s new large SUV model was launched today at the Czech plant in Kvasiny.

“We are pleased that it’s now underway. The series production launch of the ŠKODA KODIAQ is an emotional moment for the entire company and especially for our colleagues in Kvasiny“, says ŠKODA Board Member for Production Michael Oeljeklaus. “Over the last few months, the whole team has been preparing for the start of production of our new SUV model.”

The brand is strengthening its position in the world’s fastest growing market segment with the ŠKODA KODIAQ. From February 2017, ŠKODA’s latest model will be showcasing all the brand’s strengths: with a distinctive design and an exceptional amount of space, with practical intelligence and innovative technologies that would usually only be found in higher vehicle classes. Orders can now be placed for the new SUV in many markets.

The manufacturing facilities in Kvasiny have been extensively modernized and expanded for the production of the Czech automobile manufacturer’s latest models. In addition to the newly commissioned car body construction and the conversion of the assembly line, the paint shop and logistics areas have also been expanded.

Kvasiny is one of ŠKODA’s three production sites in the Czech Republic. Approximately 5900 people are currently employed there, making the plant one of the largest industrial employers in the Hradec Králové region. The plant is currently undergoing the most extensive modernization and expansion in its history. Over the next few years, the production capacity of the East Bohemian site will increase to 280,000 vehicles annually. In this context, ŠKODA will be creating jobs for around 2000 specialists and investing some 7.2 billion Czech crowns into the expansion of the Kvasiny plant by 2018.

Besides the ŠKODA KODIAQ, the ŠKODA models SUPERB and YETI currently run off the production lines at the Kvasiny site. In 2015, around 142,000 ŠKODA vehicles were produced here. The automobile plant was founded 82 years ago.

Did you know, that ŠKODA AUTO:
› is one of the longest-established vehicle manufacturers in the world. The company was founded in 1895 – during the pioneering days of the automobile. Today, the company’s headquarters remain in Mladá Boleslav.
› currently offers the following models in the range: CITIGO, FABIA, RAPID, OCTAVIA, YETI, KODIAQ and SUPERB.
› in 2015 delivered more than 1 million vehicles to customers worldwide.
› has belonged to Volkswagen Group since 1991. The Volkswagen Group is one of the most successful automotive manufactures in the world. ŠKODA, in association with the Group, independently manufactures and develops vehicles, as well as components, engines and gear transmissions.
› operates at three locations in the Czech Republic, produces in China, Russia, Slovakia and India mainly through Group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine and Kazakhstan through local partners.
› employs over 26,600 people globally and is active in more than 100 markets.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

One of the most distinctive models in the history of ŠKODA celebrates the 80th anniversary of its motor show premiere.

On October 1, 1936, the ŠKODA POPULAR Sport Monte Carlo was presented to visitors of the 20th International Motor Show in Paris. Over the following three years, limited edition sporty roadsters, convertibles and coupés were developed, which are now considered among the most attractive vintage cars to have ever been produced by the brand from Mladá Boleslav.

“The extraordinary vehicles of the POPULAR Monte Carlo type are tied to ŠKODA’s successful motorsport involvement 80 years ago, which had begun in 1901,” says Andrea Frydlová, Head of the ŠKODA Museum in Mladá Boleslav. “The limited-edition series was directly derived from the one-off vehicle built for the Monte Carlo Rally in 1936, their buyers benefited from the experience of ŠKODA’s racing department.”

In January 1936, ŠKODA achieved an unusual success in motorsport: The team Zdeněk Pohl / Jaroslav Hausman was virtually unheard of, however, they finished in second place at the Monte Carlo Rally in the <1500 cc class with a modified Roadster ŠKODA POPULAR. The company seized this opportunity to launch a limited series of sports models with a distinctive design – the ŠKODA POPULAR Sport Monte Carlo. Exactly 80 years ago, the model celebrated its motor show premiere at the International Motor Show in Paris.

Much like the rally car, the customer vehicles also had the more powerful four-cylinder engine under the bonnet, with a 1.4-litre displacement and 23 kW (31 hp) from the RAPID model. The three-speed transmission sat above the rear axle, forming a bloc with the differential (transaxle system). The model had a top speed of 110 km/h, and the effective hydraulic brakes completed the sporty disposition of ŠKODA POPULAR Montecarlo. In 1936, the base price of the limited edition model was 28.500 crowns, while the standard Roadster POPULAR 1.0 l / 16 kW (22 PS) started at 18,700 crowns.

The first two vehicles of the ŠKODA POPULAR Montecarlo type were built in July 1936; the last copy - a coupé with dark grey metallic paint - was delivered on 13 January 1939. Of the 70 cars produced, 24 were roadsters in a lighter version with simpler equipment. In addition, 17 comfortable roadsters were produced with handle-operated side windows instead of the attachment windows. 23 coupés, two convertibles, two chassis for the individual body construction and two suspension variants and a range of engines completed the series.

There were two roadsters that were particularly luxurious, which the Czechoslovak government sent to the Yugoslavian Head of State in 1938 – the then 14-year old king Petar II. Karađorđević. Discerning private customers could opt for the two-seater coupé ŠKODA POPULAR Monte Carlo, which cost 35,000 crowns. It was 4.20 meters long, 1.50 meters wide and 1.37 meters high, weighing in at 960 kg.

In October 1937, the facelift model went on sale, its characteristics included a modified suspension and tuning, as well as a longer wheelbase. The compact body featured many aspects of the then streamlined design; the headlights were partially embedded in the wings. Among the prominent clients were the popular actor of the Prague theatre ‘Na Vinohradech’ Otomar Korbelář.

Today about a dozen cars bear the ŠKODA POPULAR Monte Carlo name, and they are among the most sought-after classic cars produced by the brand. In 1968, the newly founded ŠKODA Museum acquired a black coupé dating back to 1937, which subsequently underwent careful restoration at the turn of the century. Since then, the two-seater has been used for presentations on the history of the brand from Mladá Boleslav, it has also taken part in many classic car events. Another copy of the limited edition POPULAR Sport Monte Carlo is currently being restored with great care at the ŠKODA Museum workshop.

Did you know, that ŠKODA AUTO:
› is one of the longest-established vehicle manufacturers in the world. The company was founded in 1895 – during the pioneering days of the automobile. Today, the company’s headquarters remain in Mladá Boleslav.
› currently offers the following models in the range: CITIGO, FABIA, RAPID, OCTAVIA, YETI, KODIAQ and SUPERB.
› in 2015 delivered more than 1 million vehicles to customers worldwide.
› has belonged to Volkswagen since 1991. The Volkswagen Group is one of the most successful automotive groups in the world. ŠKODA, in association with the Group, independently manufactures and develops vehicles, as well as components, engines and gear transmissions.
› operates at three locations in the Czech Republic, produces in China, Russia, Slovakia and India mainly through Group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine and Kazakhstan through local partners.
› employs over 26,600 people globally and is active in more than 100 markets.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

An expedition led by renowned British adventurer Alastair Humphreys is set to answer the question that has vexed explorers for centuries – does the Yeti exist? The adventure, which begins early next month, is backed by ŠKODA UK and will see a fleet of Yeti cars drive high into the Bhutan mountains to visit areas where sightings have been made.

The Yeti, or Abominable Snowman, has been part of Bhutanese folklore since the late 18th Century. Thought to be a part-man, part-animal, the Yeti has been the subject of countless expeditions over the past 200 years with number of high-profile sightings that remain unexplained to this day. Many locals firmly believe in the Yeti’s existence, while experts have suggested in recent years that the creature could be a present day specimen of the giant ape ‘Gigantopithecus’ which is thought to be extinct.

The ŠKODA team will work under the direction of Alastair Humphreys and will start their epic journey in Samdrup Jonkhar in the South East of Bhutan. The team will then travel north for more than 300 miles and up to an altitude of 3,530 metres.

The expedition route will take the team to the 162,000 acre Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary where the Yeti is thought to reside. A number of local experts will act as guides and will show the team where sightings have been made in the past.

Alastair Humphreys said: “I’m excited to be part of this expedition with ŠKODA. Bhutan’s surroundings are some of the most beautiful in the world and we’ll seek to uncover the stories of the Yeti within these communities. I’m pretty certain nowhere else on earth can claim to have a sanctuary for an apparently mythical creature, and that is a fascinating adventure to be part of.

“Whether the Yeti exists or not may always be a mystery, but what is true is the strong belief that the people of Bhutan have in the creature.”

The team will rely on a fleet of ŠKODA Yetis to carry themselves and equipment across some of the most challenging roads in the country. Like its namesake, the Yeti can survive the harshest of conditions and is perfectly at home in the rugged surroundings of the Himalayas.

The vehicles used for the expedition will be Yeti Outdoor models equipped with ŠKODA’s optional off-road package that adds additional protection to the underside of the vehicle. All will benefit from the Yeti’s Outdoor standard multi-plate four-wheel drive system that provides the perfect balance between on and off-road performance.

Unlike the Himalayan Yeti, the ŠKODA version is somewhat easier to spot in the wild. Since the start of production in 2009, more than 580,000 examples have been sold worldwide, with demand increasing year on year.

Adventure enthusiasts can follow Alastair and ŠKODA’s expedition on Twitter via @ŠKODAUK and @Al_Humphreys.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Debut of the ŠKODA KODIAQ at the Paris - video shows the highlights of the motor show premiere in France.

At the Paris Motor Show, the ŠKODA KODIAQ had its international motor show premiere yesterday during ŠKODA’s press conference. ŠKODA CEO Bernhard Maier presented the highlights of the newcomer: its striking design, top Package and numerous technical innovations that will be driving the brand’s first large SUV to customers from early 2017.

A compilation of the highlights of the ŠKODA KODIAQ’s motor show debut and the first press day in pictures are available to download at www.skoda-storyboard.com.

The press kit for the ŠKODA KODIAQ, along with wide range of pictures, videos and technical data on the vehicle, is available to download at ŠKODA Storyboard as well.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Debut of the ŠKODA KODIAQ at the Paris - video shows the highlights of the motor show premiere in France.

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