Flight through the ŠKODA world

Milestone reached despite the crisis

In 2020, the carmaker managed to cross the threshold of 1 million cars delivered for the seventh year in a row. The situation was significantly complicated by the spring production shutdown that lasted for 39 days as a result of the coronavirus crisis, as well as the temporary interruption of sales channels. As a result, deliveries decreased overall by 19.1 percent as compared with 2019. In the second half of the year, sales promotions were effective and contributed to the results: The carmaker increased its share of the European market to 5.4 percent; in Russia, it managed to set a new record, boosting deliveries by 6.8 percent to 94,600 vehicles. The global situation was also reflected in the VW Group results, whose deliveries fell 15.2 percent to 9,305,400 vehicles. Still, it was able to increase its share of the passenger car market. The sales of fully electric models grew significantly, with deliveries rising to 214 percent. Plug-in hybrids, which include the SUPERB iV and OCTAVIA iV, saw a sales increase of 175 percent. This year’s electric offensive will be further boosted by our fully electric ENYAQ iV. 

The SCALA in the colours of the Czech Police

The portfolio of ŠKODA cars used by the Czech Police will be expanded with 1,200 SCALA cars in the next four years after the carmaker won a tender worth CZK 840 million. The police cars with a 1.5 TSI 110 kW engine and a seven-speed DSG transmission will receive special modifications and equipment. This includes different springs and shock absorbers and more robust housings for the engine and the gearbox. The Czech Police is already using the compact hatchbacks in a civilian design, although the typical stickers will be something new on Czech roads. The SCALA is also used by the police force in the UK.

A Name for a New SUV? KUSHAQ 

The first mass-produced model based on the MQB-A0-IN platform developed by ŠKODA AUTO especially for the Indian market will have its premiere in March of this year. However, the carmaker has already shown a covered car (see the picture). The new compact SUV will be called KUSHAQ. The carmaker found inspiration in Old Indian Sanskrit, in which the word "kushak" refers to a king or ruler. This will be the first model derived from the INDIA 2.0 project, in which ŠKODA AUTO is responsible for the model offensive of the entire VW Group on the Indian subcontinent. The car will be available with 1.0 and 1.5 TSI petrol engines.

Herbert Diess highlights the role of ŠKODA AUTO

The CEO of the VW Group has officially confirmed the launch of the new-generation FABIA in a COMBI version as well. He highlighted the extraordinary value for money in terms of quality and equipment that customers get with this car. The FABIA COMBI will be produced in Mladá Boleslav, but it will not reach the market before 2023. On his LinkedIn profile, Diess also praised how the new CEO of ŠKODA AUTO, Thomas Schäfer, has managed to take over the company’s leadership, and he highlighted his NEXT LEVEL ŠKODA programme with the “Expand, Explore and Engage” principles.

More comfortable parking in Kvasiny

In January, employees at the Kvasiny plant started using a new entrance at P1, the largest of the car parks. It is a one-way, so the exit remains unchanged. The new addition speeds up arrivals at the plant and also relieves congestion in Solnice, which often struggles with traffic jams before the start of a work shift. However, the situation will be completely resolved only with the city bypass and an increase in the roundabout’s capacity on Road I/14. The Hradec Králové region and the town of Solnice are now striving to acquire the necessary land to start construction work. ŠKODA AUTO is supporting them in their efforts.

School supplies for Indian children 

The PS – Brand Management department employees had organised a collection of school supplies for children from the Balgram Children Orphanage in the Pune, India. The handover of selected items took place with the participation of PS representatives from ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL). The orphanage received hundreds of notebooks and stationery, fifty school backpacks, and many other aids, which were collected in cooperation with the KOVO Unions. They have been dedicated to helping in India for a long time. Last year, for example, they organised a fundraiser to support the completion of the Jagriti boarding school for blind girls in Pune.