Flight through the ŠKODA World

WHAT'S HAPPENING at ŠKODA AUTO

Strategic Decisions

The annual press conference was held online at the end of March. In addition to evaluating the 2020 economic results, which were profitable for the carmaker despite the pandemic, it featured a summary of the strategic decisions made last year. They included taking over the Group’s responsibility for the regions of Russia and North Africa, developing the SUPERB model together with the VW Passat in Mladá Boleslav and its production in Bratislava and freeing up capacity to increase production of SUVs and the successor to the FABIA COMBI model. At the same time, the carmaker’s management confirmed that the KODIAQ would continue to be produced there. They also mentioned the new NEXT LEVEL ŠKODA Programme, which you could read about in our interview with the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Thomas Schäfer, in the January 2021 issue of ŠKODA Mobil.

Billion Czech crowns will be invested by ŠKODA AUTO in new technologies by 2025, especially in the expansion of eMobility and digitisation, including the modernisation of its plants.

You can watch the entire press conference on ŠKODA Space.

NEXT-LEVEL EFFICIENCY

ŠKODA AUTO is coming up with a programme that will increase its competitiveness and efficiency in the coming years. It includes significant investments in new technologies, especially electromobility. To secure enough funds for this development, the carmaker will review its expenses, cut red tape, simplify processes and eliminate unnecessary ones. This year, it also plans to reduce its administrative staff by 2 percent, which will allow it to develop a demographic curve and natural staff turnover.

Social infrastructure development

In 2021, the carmaker is spending EUR 500,000 (approximately CZK 13 million) on social infrastructure projects for its employees. This is the result of an agreement between the ŠKODA AUTO management and the KOVO Trade Union. They will plan all the events together.

More information on both pieces of news can be found in the letters to employees, which you can read on ŠKODA Space.

Sales keep growing

In the first three months of 2021, ŠKODA AUTO delivered 16,700 more cars to its customers than in the same period last year. It recorded growth in the markets of Western and Eastern Europe and continued the positive trend in the Russian market, where it increased its deliveries by 8.6 percent. It is also doing very well in Turkey, where it recorded an increase of 162.1 percent with 9,800 cars delivered. However, the situation on the global market continues to be complicated by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and semiconductor shortages.

Cars were delivered by the carmaker to its customers in the first three months of 2021.

is the worldwide increase in deliveries to customers compared to the first quarter of 2020.

Models

Rejuvenation of the KODIAQ 

Roughly four years after the launch of the first model in its SUV campaign, ŠKODA AUTO has now upgraded the globally successful KODIAQ. The car excites with further developed emotive design and improved aerodynamics. For the first time, the range of options for this large ŠKODA SUV includes innovative full LED Matrix headlights. The sporty range-topping KODIAQ RS has not only had a visual makeover but has also been given a new, more powerful TSI engine. The updated KODIAQ will be available from July 2021.

Read more about the new KODIAQ at ŠKODA Storyboard. 

OCTAVIA Pro at the Shanghai Auto Show

The new model of the ŠKODA brand’s bestseller, designed especially according to Chinese customers’ demands, had its public premiere at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, which took place in the second half of April. The ŠKODA brand’s stand featured other cars as well, including the innovated SUPERB, KODIAQ and KODIAQ GT models for the Chinese market. You can read more about the Shanghai Auto Show in our next issue of ŠKODA Mobil.

ŠKODA AUTO celebrates and helps

Czech Philharmonic Benefit Concert

A gala evening on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Mladá Boleslav carmaker’s merger with the VW Group will take place on Monday, 10 May, at Prague’s Rudolfinum. All ŠKODA employees, partners and fans can enjoy it as it will be streamed on ŠKODA Storyboard, the brand’s official profile on YouTube and the ČT art channel. Under the direction of conductor Semyon Bychkov (our interview with him is on page 28), a selection of works by Antonín Dvořák, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Georges Bizet will be heard. ŠKODA AUTO and KOVO Trade Union dedicate the evening to the social service workers who helped on the frontlines of the fight against coronavirus and lost their lives. During the broadcast, you can support their families through a donor SMS or the call centre. The carmaker will support this collection with CZK 1 million during the evening.

How They See Us

ENYAQ iV 80 150 kW

Half a year after the introduction of the ŠKODA brand’s first electric model, Czech and foreign journalists had a chance to get behind the wheel for the first time. What were their impressions of their test drives?

The car’s consumption pleasantly surprised in the streets of Prague. Its appetite in the increased recuperation mode was around 16 kWh, which is not bad at all for an electric car of this size.

Auto.cz (30 March 2021)

The ENYAQ iV is a close relative of the VW ID.4 model, which uses the same MEB platform. In our opinion, however, the Czech car boasts a more successful design.

Autobild.de (8 April 2021)

The wait for the ENYAQ iV has paid off. This electric car could already be used by its owner as a regular car and not just as an ecological or status accessory.

e-flotila.cz (31 March 2021)

Tuned automatic recuperation system

Very confident drive thanks to the lower centre of gravity

Automatic start when taking a seat

Even with an electric car, the brand has kept the large boot

Giant infotainment screen and sophisticated head‑up display

Excellent manoeuvrability

Rear-wheel drive with no negative impacts on driving

Because of its greater weight, the car’s acceleration is slower at speeds above 90 km/h

The digital instrument panel is relatively small

The infotainment system lags a bit behind today’s standards

News from the Group

ŠKODA AUTO participates in #Project1Hour

On Earth Day, which falls on April 22 every year, the carmaker participated in the Group’s initiative focused on individual responsibility for climate protection. Under the “My step to zero” motto, it invited its employees to reflect on their own contribution to improving the ecological footprint and share how they protect the environment during an hour-long team workshop. The carmaker will analyse the ideas and climate measures that they propose and then publish selected ones to inspire others.

A compact sports crossover is coming

The new Volkswagen Taigo model will premiere this summer. It will be a sports crossover that combines elevated crew seats like in an SUV and coupe-style body. It is based on the successful Nivus model for the Brazilian market and will be manufactured in Pamplona, Spain. It will hit the market at the end of the year.

Ice hockey

The World Championship is coming back

Last year, the coronavirus pandemic deprived ice hockey fans of their World Championship, and this year, the event will be held in compliance with numerous hygienic measures and restrictions. The World Ice Hockey Championship will take place in its entirety in Riga, Latvia, and everything will start on 21 May with a Czech match against the Russian ice hockey players. The finals are scheduled for 6 June. The partner of the championship is traditionally ŠKODA AUTO.

Achievements and trophies

The absolute top in safety  

The ENYAQ iV model received the maximum five-star rating in the Euro NCAP consumer safety test. The evaluation criteria are tightened at two-year intervals and, in addition to active and passive safety scenarios, they now also include elements of tertiary (post-crash) safety. The new model received an overall rating of 86 percent, making it one of the safest cars in Europe. In the key category of adult occupant protection, the ŠKODA electric SUV achieved the best rating among all the cars tested so far in the 2020–2022 period: 94 percent.

Tribute to the ENYAQ iV model design

The first ŠKODA electric SUV impressed with its look. At its premiere during the Red Dot Awards, it received an award for outstanding design and can boast the prestigious red seal of quality. An international jury of about 50 independent designers, journalists and educators was especially impressed by the car’s emotional and distinctive design. The judges paid special attention to criteria such as the degree of innovation, formal quality, functionality, durability and environmental sustainability.

FABIA Rally2 racing rally specials have already been delivered by ŠKODA Motorsport to its customer teams. The first ones headed out in 2015; since then, the model has undergone several upgrades.