Skoda Garage London Blog - Independent Skoda Garage London - London's best independent Skoda Garage London

ŠKODA has confirmed its position as the nation’s most satisfying car brand with a fourth successive overall victory in the annual Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. ŠKODA also triumphed in five model categories, making it the most successful brand in the 2014 survey.

Milton Keynes, 23rd April 2014 - The 2014 Auto Express Driver Power survey attracted 50,000 respondents who were asked to judge their car in a number of key areas, from ride quality to practicality. The ŠKODA Yeti recorded the highest satisfaction score in the entire survey (92.78%), repeating its victory in 2013, with the Citigo (92.62%) and Superb (91.68%) completing a clean sweep of the top three positions.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express said: “This is a spectacular result for ŠKODA, with the top three cars in our Driver Power survey of over 50,000 car owners. It proves once again that ŠKODA is building cars that owners genuinely love and would heartily recommend to others.”

Adding to ŠKODA’s unprecedented achievements were five category victories, with the Yeti named Best Off-Roader / SUV, the Citigo named Best Supermini / City Car, and the Superb named Best Family Car. The Citigo also finished top of the table for Running Costs, while the Yeti was judged by readers to be the best for Ease of Driving.

Commenting on the 2014 Driver Power results, Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK said: “This is another incredible result for ŠKODA. We’re delighted that our customers are so passionate about their cars. We know that expectations are higher than ever, so to lock out the top three positions in this year’s survey is a great achievement for everyone at ŠKODA.”

The Yeti’s back-to-back victories in the Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey makes it one of ŠKODA’s most decorated models. To date it has won more than 25 industry, media and customer satisfaction awards, including Auto Express Car of the Year (2010), Top Gear Family Car of the Year (2010) and Honest John Car of the Year (2011).

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

16 young apprentices of ŠKODA AUTO Vocational School build their dream car: the sporty convertible ŠKODA CitiJet.

Mladá Boleslav, 14th April 2014 – The study is the result of the ‘ŠKODA Apprentice Car’ project. The official premiere of the dynamic two-seater takes place at the 33rd GTI Fan Meet at Wörthersee at end of May (28th to 31st May).

Four apprentices have been working on this very personal vehicle project of theirs since November 2013. The apprentices have been given free rein in their creativity. ŠKODA Chief Designer, Jozef Kabaň and his team have provided support along the way, and the project is nearing completion. The stage is set for the ŠKODA CitiJet, which will celebrate its premiere at the end of May at the GTI Fan Meet.

This is the first time that this kind of trainee project has been undertaken at ŠKODA. The aim has been to encourage the apprentices’ creativity and expertise in bringing their own ideas and enthusiasm into designing a car. “It is fantastic to see how committed and passionate our trainees have been in working on this project,” says ŠKODA Board Member for HR, Bohdan Wojnar. “The ŠKODA CitiJet is an emotional vehicle study that is sure to catch the attention of the visitors at Wörthersee.”

The ŠKODA CitiJet is a dynamically and expressively-designed city convertible based on the ŠKODA Citigo. The exterior stands out with its striking metallic finish in blue and white, and sporty blue-finish 16-inch alloy wheels. There is also a hand-made rear spoiler and a powerful exhaust with two tailpipes. A 1.0 MPI petrol engine with 55 kW (75 hp) is to be found under the bonnet.

The sporty interior is based on the interior of the special edition ŠKODA Citigo Sport. This includes the red-hemmed, leather 3-spoke steering wheel, as well as the leather-covered handbrake and gearstick. The seat covers and floor mats are fitted out with the ‘Sports’ fabric design, and the instrument panel is finished in red and white. In addition, a special sound system has been installed with an output of 300 watts. The blue LED interior lighting system even responds to music.

This trainee project highlights the Czech manufacture’s commitment to the high quality of vocational training at ŠKODA. At the ŠKODA AUTO Vocational School of Mechanical Engineering, young people go through a three or four-year training program in technical subjects, graduating with a full apprenticeship or the equivalent of secondary school final exams. There are currently 13 training programmes; the most popular three-year courses being those for auto mechanics, auto electricians and electricians. The most popular among the four-year courses is in industrial logistics. Postgraduate and distance-learning studies are also offered by the vocational school.

The company and the KOVO trade union have been taking on social responsibility for many years through the training of young people. Around 280 young people started their training at the ŠKODA Vocational School in 2013 alone. The educational programmes are free, and the work undertaken as part of the training is also supported financially. After successfully completing their training, all graduates receive a job offer at ŠKODA.

The Czech manufacturer has been running a vocational school at the company headquarters since 1927, where 21,500 students have since completed their training. Almost 1,000 students are currently preparing for their future careers.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

The thorough Spring Health Check focuses on areas that are most likely to have suffered increased use and wear during the Winter months:

1. Fluid and top-ups
Keeping fluids topped up is an essential part of year-round maintenance. The Spring Health Check will look to see that the screen wash, oil, and the power steering lubricant are all operating at the right levels.

2. Battery
Wet and cold weather can put a real strain on the battery. ŠKODA’s technicians will check that it charges correctly to provide the right level of power to vehicle systems and that the contacts are clean.

3. Tyres
The car is only separated from the road by a very small contact patch. It is therefore important that tyres continue to meet the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6 mm and are inflated at the optimum front and rear pressures.

4. Air conditioning
Air conditioning is vital for keeping cool as the mercury begins to rise and it is also a very effective method for clearing misty windscreens and increasing visibility during colder periods.

5. Brakes
Brakes are a fundmental safety component, and it is critical that they provide the maxmimum stopping distances during periods of changeable weather. The inspection focuses on brake fluid, pads and discs to verify that they are both legal and in perfect condition.

6. Lights
The vehicle is checked at the front and rear for any defective bulbs and incorrect beam alignment. Fog lights, which are essential for any murky Spring days, are also examined for their cleanliness and illumination.

7. Wiper blades
Smeary windscreens caused by cracked and worn rubber blades hinder visibility both in wet and bright conditions. Techicians will replace any wipers that do not make for the clearest of driving experiences.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA UK has launched its new SE Business range for company car drivers. The new suite of vehicles offers corporate customers a low taxation liability and whole life cost combined with a comprehensive specification, class-leading space and versatility.

Milton Keynes, 8th April 2014 – Tailored to suit a wide range of business applications, company car drivers now have a choice of 19 stylish variants from the multi award-winning ŠKODA Octavia and Superb Hatch and Estate, and Yeti Outdoor off-road crossover model ranges.

The SE Business line-up comprises a comprehensive package of state-of-the-art technology and safety equipment for added driver practicality and comfort. An ‘Amundsen’ touchscreen satellite navigation system with DAB radio, Bluetooth®, dual zone air conditioning and cruise control all feature as standard, as do ESC, driver and passenger airbags and ABS.

Fleet drivers also benefit from reduced running costs thanks to an innovative stop/start system and low rolling resistance tyres married with ŠKODA’s highly-efficient 1.6 and 2.0-litre TDI CR DPF diesel engines. These include the frugal GreenLine II and III powerplants which deliver CO2 emissions as low as 85g/km with an impressive combined fuel consumption to match at 88.3 mpg†. This means that Benefit in Kind tax rates start from 14%, and four SE Business cars are exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).

In addition, the SE Business range is further reinforced by ŠKODA’s coveted customer service and support from a dedicated nationwide network of Fleet Specialists and Business Centres. This is complemented by a three-year European-wide roadside assistance programme and 60,000 mile vehicle warranty.

Patrick McGillycuddy, Head of Fleet at ŠKODA UK said: “The SE Business range is the first ŠKODA line-up tailored specifically to the diverse requirements of today’s company car drivers. These new ‘business models’ are a highly competitive proposition that deliver low whole life and running costs and a small BiK taxation liability, without the need for corporate customers to compromise on their reduced carbon footprint. As with every ŠKODA vehicle, the SE Business range also prides itself on exceptional practicality, space, technology and performance.”

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

The new ŠKODA Yeti combines the practicality of a hatchback with fantastic visibility and amazing flexibility, making it a great family car.

The inside is as stylish as the outside, with a range of colours and upholstery to really make it yours. Rear passengers enjoy more headroom than in any other compact SUV. And the simply clever storage areas help to maintain a clutter-free driving experience. So you can focus on your next adventure.

The Yeti is packed with tech from top to tail. Start it up with the KESSY keyless entry, start and exit system (available as an option on the SE, Elegance and Laurin and Klement trims) and turn up the optional 12-speaker sound system (available as an option on the SE, Elegance and Laurin and Klement trims – not available on GreenLine models).

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

More Articles...

Skoda Blog