Production

Production

Meeting with foremen

For the first time ever, this year’s series of discussions between Board members and forepersons was an exclusively online event

 he live broadcasts took place on three days in January and February and were watched by a total of 850 colleagues, primarily forewomen and -men. These meetings take place every year, support mutual dialogue and prove that ŠKODA AUTO’s management values ​​the work of its forepersons because they are the ones who lead and inform their production teams.

All the livestreams were hosted by Marek Jancák, head of PF – Car Production, who was answering the questions with Thomas Schäfer, the CEO of ŠKODA AUTO; Michael Oeljeklaus, Board Member for Production and Logistics; and Bohdan Wojnar, Board Member for Human Resources Management. The carmaker’s forepersons had the opportunity to ask the Board of Directors any questions they wanted. Also, there were no defined topics to be followed. At the beginning of the broadcast, they also voted on the importance and relevance of certain issues for them, and at the end, the Board members answered questions regarding those issues. “I would like to thank everyone for participating, especially those who actively asked questions and thereby enabled mutual interaction despite the digital format that we were forced to use to protect your health. We were not able to answer all the questions and, therefore, we prepared the Newsletter for Foremen, in which you will find this information”, Jancák said. ED

Production

Do we coordinate the supply of important parts during the pandemic in such a way that production doesn’t have to stop? Can we compensate for outages at other suppliers as well?

Michael Oeljeklaus: Yes, we’re coordinating the supplies and, despite the current difficult situation, ŠKODA AUTO is intensively trying to secure a sufficient number of parts in the supply chain for car production. In the event of a shortage of any of the parts due to restrictions on the supplier’s part, we temporarily optimise the model range, which is discussed with the supplier. A possible extreme solution is the additional assembly of parts where it is technologically possible.

COVID-19

If I get vaccinated when it is possible, will it mean that some of the set measures will be eased for me (e.g. the wearing of a face mask)?

Bohdan Wojnar: If the government allows it, then yes. The government itself is not yet clear about this. We will certainly push for vaccinations to be compulsory for foreign business trips or any trips abroad. However, that will be required only when the vaccine is freely available at any time and to anyone. Other non-financial benefits of vaccination are being discussed.

Benefits

Will the carmaker allow its employees to test-drive its electric cars?

Bohdan Wojnar: Yes, the ENYAQ iV loan programme is being prepared with favourable terms. Our forepersons will take part in the training, which will include test drives.

Will affordable electric cars be part of the MAL offer?

Bohdan Wojnar: Yes, electric cars will be offered for MAL; however, given the lack of batteries, the only option at present involves buying a new or pre-owned iV car. The monthly operating lease payments are based on the car’s price and always amount to approximately 1 percent; this should also apply to iV cars.

Strategy

Will we continue to produce the FABIA COMBI in the future? When?

Thomas Schäfer: Yes, the new FABIA COMBI will come in 2023, as was already confirmed by Herbert Diess, the head of the VW Group. Production of the current model will continue even after the launch of the new FABIA model generation.

Is a new cheaper model (affordable for young families) being planned for the near future? There is a significantly bigger selection of more expensive cars on the market.

Thomas Schäfer: Part of the current NEXT LEVEL ŠKODA programme involves looking for ways to offer more affordable ŠKODA car models or variants. We are currently looking at all the options. One of the family models available at present is the FABIA COMBI. We plan to continue its production.