08/2021

ŠKODA Mobil<br>August 2021

• Title

• FLIGHT THROUGH THE ŠKODA WORLD

  FLIGHT THROUGH THE ŠKODA WORLD

  What is happening at ŠKODA AUTO

  New cutting line L53 in Hall M4

  On 16 July, ŠKODA AUTO put into operation a new cutting line with the participation of Michael Oeljeklaus, Board Member for Production and Logistics; Marek Jancák, Head of PF – Car Production; Pavel Štěpař, Head of PPF-P – Press Shop Planning; Josef Zmrhal, Vice-Chairman of the KOVO Trade Union; and Lukáš Veselý and Michal Novotný from PPF-P/4 – Structure of Press Shop Planning. The new line boosts the capacity of the Pressing Shop, and the carmaker has invested EUR 15.85 million (over CZK 400 million) in the entire project. The project also includes the construction of surrounding elements and sanitary facilities. The line will cover the production cutting lines used in Hall M4, including exporting one-fifth to the M12 and M15 pressing shops. The equipment is also fully compatible with existing lines and has increased local operation with 38 line operator workstations.

  Production restrictions

  High demand for semiconductors and the limited capacity of chip manufacturers are plaguing industrial companies around the world. Thanks to the great efforts of the employees of many ŠKODA AUTO departments, it was possible to largely maintain production at the originally planned scale during the first half of the year. The carmaker has been resolving this situation intensively with suppliers and partners in the VW Group, seeking suitable alternative solutions and adjusting production planning so that the number of non-manufactured cars is as low as possible. However, in July, ŠKODA AUTO had to cancel a number of shifts at the Kvasiny and Mladá Boleslav plants due to a shortage of semiconductors. Employees whose shifts were cancelled received compensation in the form of 85 percent of their average earnings.

  Successful first half of the year

  Although several restrictions remain in force because of the coronavirus pandemic, ŠKODA AUTO recorded significant growth during the first six months of the year. Compared with the same period in 2020, it increased its operating result by 327.2 percent to EUR 974 million (over CZK 25 billion). Revenues increased by 35.2 percent to EUR 10.2 billion (approximately CZK 262 billion). “Despite the shortage of semiconductors and the effects of the pandemic, we even managed to surpass the results of 2019, the period before the pandemic”, says Thomas Schäfer, Chairman of the Board of Directors, regarding about the result. ŠKODA AUTO recorded the largest increase in Russia, where it delivered 54.3 percent more cars; however; it was also remarkably successful in Eastern and Western Europe, as well as India.

  cars were delivered by the carmaker to customers during the period from January to June.

  year-on-year increase in deliveries to customers in the first half of the year.

  Models
  

  KODIAQ and SUPERB 

  in police colours

  On 22 July, the Police of the Czech Republic received the first batch of the new ŠKODA brand cars at the Mladá Boleslav Customer Centre. The order comprises a total of 500 KODIAQ models and 38 SUPERB COMBI models equipped with police signage. As for the SUV, it is a version with a 2.0 TSI engine, automatic transmission and all-wheel drive to handle the operation even under difficult conditions. SUPERB COMBI models with 2.0 TSI engines with an output of 206 kW and a maximum speed of up to 250 km/h will be used by highway patrols. Therefore, they will be equipped with a high-performance camera system to read registration plates for immediate toll payment verification.

  Innovation
  

  Facilities for future technologies

  At the beginning of July, the carmaker opened a new Technology Centre in Česana. This creates an environment for work in fields such as electromobility, cybersecurity, HMI (human–machine interface), online services and more. The investment exceeded EUR 24.7 million (over CZK 630 million). As a result, the total office and test room facility areas have increased by approximately 16,300 m2. They house, among others, the UX laboratory to examine user experience and an air-flow laboratory to test the car’s aerodynamics. ŠKODA AUTO also uses the available space to add greenery to its exterior. 
  

  Jobs were created in the new Technology Centre.

  ŠKODA AUTO helps
  

  Helping people affected by the elements

  Within one week, employees collected more than CZK 3,640,000 in the company’s collection; ŠKODA AUTO then doubled the amount, and the KOVO Trade Union donated another CZK 2,412,000. The money goes to the South Moravian villages affected by the tornado and the devastation it caused – 20 percent of the amount matched by the carmaker is intended for the Louny region, where a windstorm was raging at the same time. Immediately after the natural disaster, ŠKODA AUTO offered 50 cars to municipalities and non-profit organisations within the #SKODAAUTOpomaha (ŠKODA AUTO Helps) initiative, including cars provided by the HappyGo platform from the ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab. The brand also provided bicycles from its collection.

  Czech crowns were donated by the carmaker, its employees and the KOVO Trade Union to help municipalities in South Moravia and Louny.

  As they see us

  KUSHAQ 1,0 TSI 85 kW / 1,5 TSI 110 kW
  

  The launch of a new model specially adapted to the Indian market has sparked a huge response. More than 2,000 articles about it have been published. We selected several responses to the launch of the car.
  

  Powerful engines

  In particular, the 1.5 TSI engine with Active Cylinder Control (ACT) technology is very efficient

  Excellent driving characteristics

  Can also handle more demanding terrain

  Spacious and practical interior

  For some elements, it is clear that a more affordable variant was chosen

  Diesel version is missing

  Smaller boot

  POWERFUL ENGINES AND GREAT CONTROL MAKE THE KUSHAQ A CAR THAT IS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE. IN ADDITION, IT IS SPACIOUS AND PRACTICAL AND HAS COMFORTABLE SEATS.

  AUTOCAR INDIA (26 JUNE 2021)

  THE KUSHAQ IS THE REAL ŠKODA. IT CLEARLY EXUDES THE BRAND’S SENSE OF RELIABILITY AND SOPHISTICATION. IT IS COMFORTABLE, PRACTICAL AND IDEAL FOR EVERYDAY OPERATION. IT OFFERS DRIVERS MORE THAN HAS BEEN COMMON IN THIS SEGMENT SO FAR.

  OVERDRIVE (29 JUNE 2021)

  The first product resulting from the new ŠKODA INDIA 2.0 brand strategy left an excellent impression. It looks nice from the outside and inside, and it is also comfortable enough.
  

  autoX (26 June 2021)

  Achievements and trophies
  

  Company of the year 

  in the automotive industry

  ŠKODA AUTO has defended its victory last year in a competition by the Automotive Industry Association. The ranking was determined by key economic data, emphasising the company’s economic strength and its added value. Among other things, coping with the unfavourable situation due to the pandemic and the modernisation of the model range contributed to the carmaker coming out on top. Out of 23 years of the Company of the Year in the automotive industry competition, ŠKODA AUTO has won 20 of them.

  German award 

  for the Chronicle

  At this year’s announcement of the Motorworld Buchpreis 2021 awards for the best automotive books, the three-part ŠKODA AUTO Chronicle won in the Corporate Biography category. The jury highlighted the elaborate and readable view of the Czech carmaker’s history that the publication brings. The German award has a tradition of almost 20 years, and its jury includes major personalities from the automotive industry and beyond.

  
  

  Triumph among 

  company cars

  The ŠKODA brand has conquered the German Company Car of the Year 2021 poll organised by the firmenauto professional magazine, in which 165 fleet experts had a vote. The Czech carmaker won awards in the categories of imported cars with the OCTAVIA (compact class), SUPERB (middle class), SUPERB iV (middle class of plug-in hybrids), KAMIQ (small SUVs and crossovers), KAROQ (compact SUVs and crossovers), KODIAQ (medium-sized SUVs and crossovers) and ENYAQ iV (medium-sized electric cars) models.

  ŠKODA models were selected by the expert jury as the best imported cars on the German fleet market.
  

  Group news
  

  New strategy until 2030

  The VW Group has introduced its new strategy for the current decade under the auspices of the “New Auto” slogan. It wants to defend its position as a global leader in the automotive industry by focusing on electromobility and software. By 2030, the Group plans for electric cars to have a 50 percent share of all the cars it sells. Further revenues are expected from the advent of autonomous management systems. The implementation of the strategy will be supervised in the coming years by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the VW Group, Herbert Diess, whose contract has been renewed until October 2025.

  Culture
  

  Silver fleet for the festival

  The first half of July belonged to the traditional opera festival, Smetana’s Litomyšl. Since 1996, ŠKODA AUTO has supplied the official car and been the partner of the event, which takes place in the birthplace of the legendary composer. This year, it provided a total of 10 silver cars to cover the organisers’ needs and the main prize awarded in the knowledge competition in the area of culture and the automotive present and history. The winner will be transported by the SUPERB model to the Estates Theatre to watch a performance.

  On 20 July, the Mladá Boleslav carmaker produced the 8-millionth manual transmission of the MQ200 type since the start of production in 2000.
  

• NEXT LEVEL

  More International, More Electrified and MORE DIGITISED 

  CZECH CARMAKER PRESENTS ITS NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030 FOR THE CURRENT DECADE

   y 2030, ŠKODA AUTO intends to become one of the five best-selling car brands in Europe and the leading European brand in India, Russia and North Africa. This is part of the new strategy, NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030, which the CEO, Thomas Schäfer, introduced to the company’s management on 23 June 2021 and, the following day, to journalists and the public. The programme is the result of the work of more than 50 experts across the carmaker. It was established to successfully transform society and develop it in the fields of internationalisation, electrification and digitisation. The new strategy also firmly enshrines specific goals to support ecology and diversity. 

  Securing the future in the domestic market

  Together with other business partners, representatives from the political sphere and the VW Group, ŠKODA AUTO plans to transform the Czech Republic into a centre for the development of electromobility and, thus, secure existing jobs and create new ones. Specifically, by 2030, all three Czech production plants are expected to produce electric cars or components for them. To secure the future on the European markets and in the Czech Republic, the ŠKODA brand will introduce at least three new purely electric models by 2030, which will be positioned below the ENYAQ iV, both in terms of price and size. In addition, the Czech carmaker is working with its partners to strengthen a stable supply structure for the further electromobility development.

  Developing market potential

  The offensive in the regions, for which ŠKODA AUTO has taken over responsibility within the VW Group, will contribute to the global sales potential of 1.5 million cars per year. Recently, production of the KUSHAQ model began – it is the first ŠKODA car that was developed for the Indian market as part of the INDIA 2.0 project (more on page 8). In the medium term, it is planned to launch this model in other growth markets as well.

  Ensuring a great customer experience

  The Czech carmaker also wants to focus on customer experience. Every customer should be able to control their new ŠKODA car or service on the very first try and intuitively. The first such project is POWERPASS (see the June 2021 issue of ŠKODA Mobil), which enables simple and convenient electrified car charging. It should be even more pleasant to purchase a car. The carmaker is further expanding the concept of the virtual showroom and aims to sell every fifth car online by 2025.

  Creating diversity and better education

  The NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030 also puts ​​diversity at the forefront: By 2030, every fourth managerial position should be held by a woman. For ŠKODA AUTO, diversity, inclusion and equality are natural parts of a corporate culture characterised by openness and tolerance. As part of the transformation process, the Czech carmaker will continue to support employee training and intends to invest almost EUR 500 million (around CZK 13 billion) in this area between 2022 and 2030, with the main goal of securing jobs in the future.

  Betting on efficiency and simplification 

  In its effort to reach the strategic goals, ŠKODA AUTO is also focusing on efficiency and simplification – these are two traditional strengths that have brought the Czech carmaker many successes over its long history. The aim is to achieve the lowest costs among European competitors – for example, through internal digitisation, smart automation and data analytics. The carmaker has already taken steps to simplify its processes and reduce bureaucracy and complexity, thereby further increasing its ability to respond flexibly to current challenges. One example is the modification of the range of versions or trims upon request: With the further expansion of electrification in the model range, the complexity of the offering should be reduced by 40 percent in the medium term. ED
  

  With the new strategy, we answer the questions of how we will successfully lead ŠKODA AUTO through the transformation process and ensure that it is even stronger in 2030 than it is today.

  Thomas Schäfer

  CEO of ŠKODA AUTO

  
  

  You will find more information on the NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA Strategy 2030 by logging in here.

  The path among the five best-selling brands in Europe leads through the strengthening of the position in the segment of available cars, excellent customer experience and electrification of the portfolio.

  The carmaker’s goals for 2030

  3

  at least three new purely electric models

  50–70%

  Market share of battery-powered EVs in the EU

  > 50 %

  reduction of fleet emissions compared with 2020
  

  > 8 %

  minimum return of sales
  
  

  Leading European brand in India, Russia and North Africa

  Main priorities

  Expand

  Become one of the five best-selling brands in the EU by offering attractive variants of available cars and a strong electrified model portfolio.

  Explore

  Be the leading European brand in India, Russia and North Africa and take further responsibility within the VW Group. We will increase our global sales potential to 1.5 million cars per year.

  Engage

  Be the Simply Clever User Experience benchmark, introduce carbon-neutral production in Czech and Indian plants by 2030 and strengthen diversity.

• Models

  Models
  

  KODIAQ among the legends

  The modernised SUV was introduced to journalists in the French Alps

   he famous mountain resort town of Megève, located below the highest alpine peak, Mont Blanc, welcomed journalists from all over the world at the end of June to get them acquainted with the rejuvenated ŠKODA KODIAQ SUV. Test routes included the winding mountain roads and the highway, and for the 4 × 4 models, there was even an attractive off-road section. Participants had all the available trim variants at their disposal, including the L&K luxury version and the RS sports version with a 2.0 TSI EVO generation petrol engine with an output of 180 W. They were able to get perfectly acquainted with the new version of the SUV, which features a modified look, especially in the car’s front, Matrix-LED headlights, top ergonomic front seats with ventilation and massage function or a new rear spoiler on the fifth door. The event, which was organised by GKP - Product Communications, was also attended by CEO Thomas Schäfer and Martin Jahn, Board Member for Sales and Marketing. The latter also tested the KODIAQ's long-standing predecessor, the TREKKA off-road vehicle, in the Alps  (watch the video here).

  165 

  journalists took part in a dynamic presentation in Megève.

  50

  KODIAQ cars in all the available trim variants were available there.

  Journalists’ reception

  The new KODIAQ captivated the media, and especially its top RS sports version attracted significant attention. “The fastest KODIAQ is now an emotionally different car. It changes direction more joyfully and feels lighter. The numbers confirm this, since the petrol engine is 60 kg lighter than the TDI. Thanks to the lower torque, it was possible to use a different dual-clutch transmission, which, together with the new gear housing, saved another 5 kg. This is definitely reflected in the willingness of the front to make turns”, was how the auto.idnes.cz server praised the model. The German autogazette.de outlet evaluated the car’s range of assistance systems. “You can expect both maximum sportiness and safety from the new KODIAQ RS”, it noted. The biggest ŠKODA SUV is popular, for example, on the Slovenian market, so the rejuvenated version was of interest to the local avto.finance.si server: “To test off-road capabilities and all-wheel drive, we went to the top of the Megève ski resort. The KODIAQ managed the steep gravel road without any problems. And although one of the wheels rose into the air when crossing the drainage canals, stream and ditches, the electronics took care of everything when the off-road mode was switched on.” ED
  

  Start of production

  Serial production of the rejuvenated KODIAQ model began in Kvasiny on 18 June with the presence of Michael Oeljeklaus, Board Member for Production and Logistics. 

  Complete details of the new SUV version can be found here.

• WE DON’T SMOKE AT ŠKODA AUTO

  WE DON’T SMOKE AT ŠKODA AUTO
  

  Goal: non-smoking work environment

  ŠKODA AUTO is working with its social partner, the KOVO Trade Union, to meet this goal

  ll ŠKODA AUTO premises, facilities and marked plots of land will soon be non-smoking areas. The journey to a non-smoking company has been taking place via gradual measures for the past two decades. “Our priority is to protect our employees’ health as well as we can. The COVID-19 measures form a suitable basis, and we’re building on it. The next logical step is to become a non-smoking company. In this way, we will motivate employees to lead a more sustainable and, above all, healthier lifestyle, tear down any barriers between smokers and non-smokers, reduce the amount of waste and, thus, contribute to environmental protection”, emphasises Thomas Schäfer, Chairman of the Board.

  The decision to create a non-smoking work environment was made by ŠKODA AUTO in close cooperation with its social partner, the KOVO Trade Union. The first measures to implement this plan have already been approved. ŠKODA AUTO supports employees who want to quit smoking with offers from the Lungs Matter programme, such as nicotine therapy and professional counselling, and it covers the costs of these initiatives together with health insurance companies.

  As one of the largest employers in the country, the carmaker supports the transition to a non-smoking company and gives the highest priority to protecting the health of its employees. In the Czech Republic, smoking is already banned in many places and in most facilities. Therefore, ŠKODA AUTO’s decision to have a complete smoking ban is the logical step for the maximum protection of its employees’ health.  ED
  

  
  

  Michael Oeljeklaus

  Board Member for Production and Logistics

  Smoking hasn’t been allowed at ŠKODA AUTO for more than a year, since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. So far, this has been a measure to reduce the risk of the virus spreading further. However, I’m convinced that smoking simply doesn’t suit a modern company like the carmaker. Arguments against smoking and for a healthier lifestyle are diverse and well known to all of us. So let’s take advantage of the opportunity now and turn ŠKODA AUTO into a non-smoking company. I count on your support!

  
  

  Where to look for help? 

  You can quit smoking not only with the support of ŠKODA AUTO but also with assistance from experts

  P utting out the last cigarette is a challenge for smokers who have considered it many times; many of them have even tried it. However, the fastest and most effective way is to consult doctors who have experience and know how to get rid of the nicotine addiction forever. You can quit smoking by yourself, with the help of an application or professional instructions on the Internet or under the supervision of experts like doctors and quitting specialists. From them, you would get qualified supervision but also higher motivation, and you can also count on contributions from health insurance companies.

  Health insurance companies also offer help

  For example, the ŠKODA Employee Insurance Company (ZPŠ) has been offering a programme to help with quitting, which is paid for by the Prevention Fund, since 2014. It prepared the programme in cooperation with Eva Králíková, who is the leading expert in the field, and hundreds of employees have already successfully completed it at ŠKODA AUTO. Treatment centres are located in Mladá Boleslav, Mnichovo Hradiště, Hradec Králové, Trutnov and throughout the country. You can also use the help of specialist outpatient clinics. In addition, treatment is not expensive (especially compared with what is spent on cigarettes). If you need professional help, ZPŠ will contribute up to CZK 1,000 per year.

  Did you know that...

  ... consultations at the outpatient clinic are covered by health insurance companies? If you buy their recommended nicotine replacement treatments – Niquitin, Nicorette or Champix – with a minimum value of CZK 4,500 at recommended pharmacies, you will now receive a CZK 3,000 discount. After a follow-up examination proving that you are successfully continuing your treatment and not smoking, you will receive a confirmation, on the basis of which you will receive a contribution from ZPŠ. In addition, if you are a member of the KOVO MB Trade Union, the total amount spent on treatment will be reduced by a further CZK 200.

  
  

  Disciplinary rules 

  In connection with the new rules on non-smoking at ŠKODA AUTO, the carmaker, in cooperation with the KOVO Trade Union, has set new rules and sanctions for non-compliance.

  Internal employees

  Failure to comply with the smoking ban is considered a breach of work discipline, in which case you may be notified by your employer. In extreme cases, there is a risk of employment termination if it is a systematic violation (i.e. three times in six months).

  Failure to comply with the ban on smoking in the areas with high fire hazard (storage of flammables, fuel etc.), as well as damage to smoke sensors (devices designed to detect smoke or fire from the OSH aspect), constitutes a serious or particularly gross violation of work discipline. The carmaker will respond to this offence with employment termination or immediate termination.

• Improvements

  Improvements
  

  Strong Half-Year for ZEBRA

  There has been a large increase not only in the amount of proposals for improvement but also in the number of authors

  Handover of cars to new owners

  In mid-June, cars were handed over to the winners of the raffle, which has a long tradition at ŠKODA AUTO. The ceremony took place in front of the Customer Centre, where the KAMIQ models awaited their new owners, along with the traditional KAROQ models. The authors of the proposals for improvement received their new cars from Jaroslav Povšík, Chairman of the KOVO Trade Unions; Maren Gräf, Board Member for Human Resources Management; Michael Oeljeklaus, Board Member for Production and Logistics; Štěpán Lacina, Head of SP – Human Resources Planning; and Petra Kučerová, Coordinator of SP/2 – Idea management.

  
  

  Success of proposals

  The first half of the year was successful in terms of improvements. Not only is the improvement proposal benefit amount positive (see ZEBRA in numbers) but so is the development of implementations, where their number increased from the original 39.9 percent (beginning of this year) to the current 54.9 percent. Therefore, ZEBRA thanks all employees who participated in the process.

  
  

  ZEBRA improvements

  The SP/2 department has launched self-service emergency reporting across the entire carmaker, which is carried out using the Power BI data analysis tool. The aim is to shorten the time needed for proposals to be approved and to motivate authors who are waiting for approval and rewards. To improve the comfort of the proposers’ work, SP/2 offers advice if necessary. It also continues to work closely with all the areas across ŠKODA AUTO to further optimise the ZEBRA process and system and make it more comfortable for authors and assessors. ZEBRA has already collected a number of ideas from workshops held in May and will implement them in due course.

  
  

  ZEBRA in numbers

  2021

  2020

  Number of proposals for improvement

  14 393

  11 047

  Number of authors

  5 684

  4 850

  Savings (in CZK)

  136 294 733

  90 454 541

  
  

  If you have a comment or suggestion about the process or changes to the ZEBRA system, please e-mail us.

• FORCE Program

  Force Program
  

  Markets and Costs under Control

  News regarding the F5 and F6 action fields this year

  OUR GOAL:

  THROUGH EFFICIENCY AND FLEXIBILITY TOWARDS GLOBALISATION

  OUR WAY:

  SIMPLY CLEVER SOLUTIONS

  OUR MOTIVATION:
  

  CHANGING MINDSETS TO SECURE THE FUTURE

  Costs in the time of COVID
  

  To maintain ŠKODA AUTO’s competitive advantage, costs need to stay at the lowest possible level over the long term. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic amplified this goal. As a result, the F5 – Competitive Cost Structure action field has focused on monitoring and reducing all costs over the past year to improve the carmaker’s cash flow and prevent any cuts to the workforce. It has served as a good springboard for this year.

  The issue of inventories and liquidity management is very topical at present. Together with colleagues from Production and Logistics, we have been implementing several measures in this area. One example is the current shortage of semiconductors, which are an essential part of car manufacturing. The carmaker has solved this complication thanks to its flexible and efficient control of the manufactured car flow. Thus, for example, it managed to save approximately 50,000 cars, and the total benefit of this solution was reflected in the company’s financial result, which totalled EUR 230 million. Unfortunately, the persistent shortage of semiconductors led to the suspension of the production of cars with internal combustion engines at the Kvasiny and Mladá Boleslav plants at the end of June. To resolve such situations constructively in the future, all the departments across ŠKODA AUTO must contribute to the financial benefits resulting from the FORCE Program. ED
  

  Liquidity and cash flow management are among the most important activities that lead to maintaining the 

  company’s stability.

  Cooperation between brands and regions
  

  The goals of the F6 – New Startup Challenges action field were also significantly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, preparations for the launch of series production of the new KUSHAQ were affected by the halting of production of tools and mouldings from China already in the spring of the last year and then by the pandemic in India. Despite these complications, local production of the state-of-the-art 1.0 l TSI (85 kW) and 1.5 l TSI (110 kW) engines for this model was launched. The SAVWIPL production plants will now complete the cylinder heads and do the mechanical processing of the engine parts.
  

  In addition to the INDIA 2.0 project, ŠKODA AUTO also took over responsibility for the Russian region in the autumn of 2020, where it will be in charge of two production sites – in Kaluga and Nizhny Novgorod. The first plant currently produces the VW Tiguan, VW Polo and ŠKODA RAPID models, and the local team is looking for synergies and technical solutions and optimising investments. The Nizhny Novgorod plant produces the KODIAQ, KAROQ and OCTAVIA models. They will be joined by the new VW Taos model introduced in May. The local team is now intensively preparing for the start of serial production. ED
  

• INDIA 2.0 / SOP KUSHAQ

  INIDA 2.0 / SOP KUSHAQ

  KUSHAQ Shines in India

  The first significant result of the INDIA 2.0 project is the production a new SUV specially adapted to the Indian market

   he KUSHAQ had its world premiere in March and has been in production at the ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited plant in Pune since 17 May (see ŠKODA Mobil 5/2021). Production started despite many restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The car’s sister model, the VW Taigun, will soon join it on the local production lines. The first complications before the start of production already arose in the spring of last year, when the production of tools and mouldings in China was interrupted. After that, the large-scale pandemic broke out in India, which did not help the preparations for serial production. Production was also directly impacted by other waves of the disease. This year, a critical situation occurred at the end of April and the beginning of May, just before the start of production (SOP). The state of Maharashtra, where the SAVWIPL plant is located, had become the area most affected by ​​the COVID-19 pandemic. Since January, quarantine has been in place for those who travel to India. It has gradually been replaced by a strict lockdown that, of course, has affected our work. Despite increased hygienic measures, facemasks and vaccinations, we have had to reduce the number of workers in the car pre-production for a while. However, thanks to the diligent work of the entire team, the obstacles were overcome and the KUSHAQ went into production according to plan.

  Currently, the localisation degree is around 95 percent, and other parts are gradually being added. It will all culminate in the launch of local rear axle deliveries in the third quarter of 2022.

  Jaroslav Pařízek

  BN – Purchasing New Products Launches

  Successful local purchasing

  Since the beginning of the model’s preparation, the carmaker has also emphasised the high proportion of components from local deliveries. It wanted to achieve localisation at the 95 percent level, and the KUSHAQ has been close to this value since the SOP. This is also because the carmaker has been cooperating with local suppliers since 2017, when it started supplier workshops, and it gradually invited more than 100 local companies. All of this was carried out to find a suitable technical solution for the Indian market regarding specific customer requirements and the availability of materials and technologies.

  Bet on colour

  The car is already leaving the production lines in both the 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI engine and two transmission versions, as well as five colours (Candy white, Brilliant silver, Carbon steel, Honey Orange and Tornado red). ŠKODA AUTO expects the most popular colour for the Indian customers to be white, followed by bright orange, in which the KUSHAQ was introduced to the public. ED
  

  Follow this link to find out more about KUSHAQ's SOP.

• INDIA 2.0 / Strategy

  INDIA 2.0 / StrategY

  In India like at home

  The Czech carmaker introduced its new corporate strategy NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030 and India plays a major role 

   y 2030, India is set to become one of the world’s most important economies. At that time, it will probably be the most populous country on the planet with the second-largest workforce and be the fifth-largest car market. In order to respond appropriately to these trends, ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has prepared detailed strategy until 2030 for this market, which it calls the India Corporate Strategy 2030. “India represents a rich cultural and economic mix and is developing and changing incredibly fast”, says Jiří Pokorný from GRI – Management Region India, who co-created the strategy. According to him, digitisation, sustainability and focus on products that meet the specific requirements of Indian customers are being prefered here.

  Nine initiatives

  The Indian strategy was created in cooperation with the management of (SAVWIPL), representatives of individual brands and experts from strategic departments across the VW Group. Its main goal is to be a sustainable company that is a leader in mobility solutions and has a strong customer focus. It wants to achieve this through nine strategic initiatives:

  1

   Building a strong and competent organization in India.

  2

  Strengthening skills and creating a great working environment.

  3

  Expanding its product portfolio for Indian customers.

  4

  India as an export base.

  5

  Offering top services and a network of showrooms and bringing customers experiences.

  6

  Involving innovation and digitisation in all activities.

  7

  Focusing on sustainability.

  8

  Establishing a Group centre for automotive software development.

  9

  Operating a centre of excellence for competitive products and production.

  Each initiative is sponsored by the relevant member of the SAVWIPL Board of Directors, which includes the work teams. ED
  

  What to expect from India in 2030

  3rd place

  India will reach this position among the world’s largest markets for mobility products and services.

  4.6 percent

  will be the expected annual growth of the Indian automotive industry. 

  4.5 million

  passenger cars a year will be sold in India, as many as in the USA today.

  20 percent

  will be the share of fully electric cars among the passenger cars sold.

• INDIA 2.0 / Pomoc Indii

  INDIA 2.0 / help for india

  Quick and effective aid

  The Czech carmaker organised the dispatch of two airplanes with humanitarian aid to India plagued by COVID-19

   he dramatic situation caused by the sharp increase in the number of people infected and hospitalised in Indian hospitals required a rapid response. With the great effort of the employees of the PL – Brand Logistics, BA – General Purchasing and GRI – Management Region India departments, two airplanes were dispatched to India at the turn of May and June. The first contained a shipment of 8,688 pendant cannulas, called Oxymizers, which can increase the flow of oxygen by up to 75 percent. The second airplane transported cylinders for compressed oxygen and an oxygen generator. Why this aid? “We evaluated the mobile oxygen generator as the best aid we could send because it is a device that not only helps in the fight against COVID-19 but will also be used in India in the coming years to fight other respiratory diseases”, says Matěj Ondrák from the department. Oxygen cylinders are a logical follow-up element, and the same is true for cannulas, which reduce oxygen consumption.

  ŠKODA AUTO India employees helped to determine what would help their country the most and what would be part of the transport.

  How to load an airplane

  Transporting the generator was a great challenge, as the entire facility and 360 oxygen cylinders weighed a total of 30 tonnes. “For the flight – which together with a refuelling stopover takes approximately 30 hours – to be complication-free, our experts had to calculate the generator’s centre of gravity, which had to be optimally positioned in the airplane”, explains Tomáš Nevole, Head of PLA. In addition, the transport had to meet a number of conditions (both those imposed by the carrier and other administrative ones) in India. Thanks to great planning and execution, the transport successfully arrived in Delhi on 6 June. “The generator is currently used in a hospital in New Delhi”, says Ondrák. “We coordinated the aid with the management of the Indian representation, and everything went very quickly. The first meeting was convened by Klaus-Dieter Schürmann, Board Member for Finance and IT, on 7 May. Colleagues from logistics had only a week to prepare for the transport of the generator and cylinders”, Jiří Pokorný from the GRI department describes the pace of preparations. ED
  

  look how the aid was delivered to India.

• coronavirus

  coronavirus
  

  Measures to Take When Returning to Work

  What to do if you have travelled abroad or gone on holiday and are now returning to work

  or the upcoming company-wide holiday, ŠKODA AUTO, in cooperation with the KOVO Trade Union, has prepared a list of measures that every employee must follow upon their return. Most of these measures concern colleagues travelling abroad; however, those who spend their holidays inside the Czech Republic will also have some responsibilities. We recommend that all our employees follow the current rules for travelling abroad. Information on the conditions for entering individual states are available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the websites of the Ministry of the Interior or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you can find the travel traffic light and the conditions for returning to the Czech Republic divided into categories for citizens of the Czech Republic, EU and third countries.

  Follow the current information on the COVID-19 signpost at ŠKODA Space. Information on travel to popular holiday destinations can also be found on the Holiday 2021 COVID portal.

  How to proceed before returning to work

  I spent my holiday in the Czech Republic

  1

  By means of an affidavit, you will confirm that you have not travelled abroad. You can fill out the form in advance or upon returning to work.

  2

  Before you return to work, we recommend that you carry out the self-test distributed by the carmaker in the protection package.
  

  3

  You will present an affidavit to your supervisor on the day you return to work. Agency staff will submit the affidavit to the agency’s coordinator. 
  

  I’m a cross-border
  commuter
  

  1

  If you have spent more than 12 hours abroad (in the case of neighbouring countries, more than 24 hours), you must present or complete an affidavit regarding your trip when you return to work.
  

  2

  Document that a test with a negative result was performed. However, only an antigen test (no older than 48 hours) or a PCR test (no older than 72 hours) performed at a medical facility will be accepted (i.e. a self-test is not sufficient). These are just general rules: Depending on the risk posed by the particular country you are returning from, requirements may vary as to which test to use and when. Up-to-date information can be found on the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior.
  

  3

  If you have returned from a country with a mild/moderate risk of infection and do not yet have a test result, you will be admitted to the workplace; however, you must wear an (FFP2/KN95) respirator until you submit the test result.
  

  If you cannot work one or more shifts after your return, you must excuse your work absence (a time period until the test result). If you do not properly excuse such an absence from work, it will be evaluated as an unexcused absence (in the case of a larger number of absences, it can lead to termination of employment).

  4

   When returning to the Czech Republic, it is necessary to meet the emergency measure requirements according to the respective country’s risk level (see the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
  

  5

   You should always monitor the current situation – especially the individual countries’ risk levels – on the website of the Ministry of Health.
  

  6

  You will present your affidavit and a test result, if needed, to your supervisor. Agency staff will submit the affidavit to the agency’s coordinator. 
  

  I’m returning
  from abroad

  1

  If you have spent more than 12 hours abroad (in the case of neighbouring countries, more than 24 hours), you must fill in the so-called arrival form before entering the Czech Republic and an affidavit before entering the workplace.  
  

  2

  Document that a test with a negative result was performed. However, only an antigen test (no older than 48 hours) or a PCR test (no older than 72 hours) performed at a medical facility will be accepted (i.e. a self-test is not sufficient). These are just general rules: Depending on the risk posed by the particular country you are returning from, requirements may vary as to which test to use and when. Up-to-date information can be found on the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior.

  3

  Unfortunately, if you have returned from a country with a higher risk level, ŠKODA AUTO will not let you enter the workplace until you have submitted the test result.
  

  If you cannot work one or more shifts after your return, you must excuse your work absence (a time period until the test result). If you do not properly excuse such an absence from work, it will be evaluated as an unexcused absence (in the case of a larger number of absences, it can lead to termination of employment).

  4

  When returning to the Czech Republic, it is necessary to meet the emergency measure requirements according to the respective country’s risk level (see the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
  

  5

   You should always monitor the current situation – especially the individual countries’ risk levels – on the website of the Ministry of Health.

  6

  You will present your affidavit and a test result, if needed, to your supervisor. Agency staff will submit the affidavit to the agency’s coordinator. 

  You can find the arrival form and affidavit on the ŠKODA Space.

  Did you know that...

  ... you are exempted from the obligation to submit a test result if 14 or more days have passed since you completed your vaccination process and have documented it with a certificate e-mailed to prohlidky.prevence@skoda-auto.cz, or if you have contracted COVID-19 during the previous 180 days? Even in this case, you must fill out and submit the relevant affidavit.

  
  

  Additional day off and extra points
  

  As part of the vaccination support it offers and based on the agreement with the KOVO Trade Union, ŠKODA AUTO has decided to expand the incentive programme for employees, workers on maternity and parental leave, as well as employees on business trips, by introducing additional vaccination rewards during the period from 1 August to 30 September.

  nstead of the current 300 points added to the ŠKODA cafeteria points for completed vaccinations (valid until 31 July 2021), employees will now receive up to two days off or 2,000 points to the ŠKODA cafeteria points for each unused day off. They can take the first day off on the vaccination day (either the first or the second dose, according to the employee’s preference) and the second day off as an incentive at any time during the period from 30 September 2021 to 31 December 2022. Employees who provide the completed vaccination certificate no later than 31 July of this year will automatically receive, in addition to 300 cafeteria points, also 2,000 points as compensation for a day off, which they were unable to use during the vaccination time. They can then take the second day off by the end of 2022 or convert it into an additional 2,000 cafeteria points.

  For additional employee rewards, a vaccination completed by 30 September of this year is required and has to be proved with a certificate by 15 October. In addition, all the employees who meet the programme requirements can select days off in the eAbsence application by 15 October, and they can plan a day off for 2022. If they do not select time off by this date, they will automatically receive 2,000 ŠKODA cafeteria points. The points expire at the end of 2022. Once you have received approval from your supervisor, use the “0746 – Motivational Day Off” absence code to plan the vaccination and days off in the eAbsence application. ED
  

• How it works

  How it works
  

  eMobility learning by playing

  The new training concept at the Lean Centre introduces employees to the world of electromobility in a fun way

   ll employees can participate in the programme in the Lean Centre building of the carmaker’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav. What awaits them there is more than just regular training; the project designers from the PSI – Industrial Engineering and Production System department have conceived everything in a playful way. The experience is further enhanced by entire teams being able to participate in the programme. So far, everything is running in pilot operation, and the training will be up to full speed in September. Read on to learn what you can experience there. ED
  

• The World of ŠKODA AUTO

  The World of ŠKODA AUTO
  

  Hungary
  

  Population: 

  9.7 million

  Area: 

  93,028 km2

  Sales of new passenger cars (2020): 

  128,031

  Sales of new ŠKODA cars (2020): 

  12,843

  Market share (2020): 

  10.03%

  Best-selling ŠKODA model: 

  OCTAVIA 

  ŠKODA AUTO in Hungary

  The Czech carmaker has a strong position in the Central European country. Based on the number of registrations, it is the fifth-strongest brand on the Hungarian market. The current importer has been cooperating with ŠKODA AUTO since 1992, and last January, the 250,000th ŠKODA car was delivered. The brand is successful in the country, especially among fleet customers and public services – for example, in September of this year, it will deliver a big fleet of cars to Hungary’s Police.

  For adventurers on bikes

  Hungary has a strong cycling community, and this is exactly what the ŠKODA brand focused on during its campaign prepared in cooperation with the We Love Cycling website. In addition to a fictional story, the Kalandor (adventurer in Hungarian) online game involved real challenges as well – for example, overcoming a certain distance, elevation or speed when riding a bike. All this was recorded in the Strava application. As awards, the successful cyclists received their gifts from the We Love Cycling collection, a weekend OCTAVIA model rental and a ŠKODA city bike. The competition took place during the pandemic, when people could not participate in any classic races and were happy to use this format. The event was very successful – thanks to its 2,079 members, the cycling club became the biggest Hungarian group on the Strava application, which those who were interested used to apply.

• Sales and marketing

  Sales and marketing
  

  Fine-tuned division of ŠKODA brand markets 

  With the new organisational structure of the V – Sales and Marketing area, two new departments were created and are responsible for all the ŠKODA brand’s global markets

   he change is part of the carmaker’s new milestones in the form of the NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030. Two departments will take care of global markets: VE – Sales Europe and VI – Sales International. The VE department, headed by Luboš Vlček, is responsible for sales in Europe and in Israel (38 markets in total). The VI department, under the leadership of Jan Procházka, manages the carmaker’s sales and marketing activities in the other markets around the world, including Russia, India and North Africa.

  The new division will allow the carmaker to better focus on achieving its priorities – for example, to implement its philosophy of the Human Touch customer approach. Its core is customer orientation and personal approach during the transformation of the entire sales process, as well as the efficient and motivated dealer and service organisation. “The adjustment of our sales structure is the result of ŠKODA AUTO’s efforts to become a more customer-oriented company and bring our Simply Clever solutions to our new core activities: electromobility, connectivity and digitisation”, says Martin Jahn, Board Member for Sales and Marketing. He also points out that more and more customers will wish to handle the sales and after-sales services online. That is why the process of digital sales and service must be as accessible as possible. “The goal of the changes was to effectively implement the NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030 strategy with an emphasis on the development of new markets, business models and the overall transformation of the automotive industry”, adds Jahn.

  Great ambitions

  In Europe, ŠKODA AUTO hopes to reach the Top 5 in the ranking of the best-selling cars by 2030 with the support of the VE department. “We wish to strengthen our position by offering attractive models and also by further electrifying our portfolio”, says Luboš Vlček. “By 2030, we will introduce at least three new purely electric models to our customers”, he adds. His team and colleagues from the VI department will form the key elements in the sales and production planning and will adapt the ŠKODA brand’s offers to its specific markets, where the building and development of a professional sales organisation will continue.

  ŠKODA AUTO also strives to become the leading European brand in India, Russia and North Africa. In general, the VI department is responsible for Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as Australia and New Zealand. “Our task is to take care of markets and customers who will switch to our new technologies only after the European market, but also to examine and open new markets”, says Jan Procházka. The new structure of the Sales and Marketing area will help strengthen the carmaker’s position as the manufacturer of electrified and fully electric models and, thanks to our emphasis on adapting to local conditions, contribute to the meeting of the sustainability goals as well. ED
  

  Benefits of the new division

  Quicker and more specific solutions for a given market

  Better sales support in specific markets

  Reduced complexity of activities and greater profitability

  Expanding the carmaker’s portfolio towards affordable cars and affordable mobility

  Reaching more customers

• Cycling / l’Etape

  Cycling / l’Etape
  

  What is the Tour de France like?

  At the end of August, cyclists in the Czech Republic can take part for the first time in L’Etape by Tour de France

   losed roads reserved for racing cyclists, a festival atmosphere in the start and finish area, competing for a yellow, green and polka dot jersey. Such conditions are well known to participants in the world’s most famous cycling race, the Tour de France. This year, cycling enthusiasts in the Czech Republic can have the same experience. On 28 August, a race will take place under the banner of L’Etape by Tour de France, which will be held in the Czech Republic for the very first time. The racers will set off on one of a circuits with a length of little less than 130 or 90 km with its start and finish at Strahov in Prague. The route will then take them to the Křivoklát region and the Bohemian Karst. Along the route, spots will be dedicated to fans to offer them a lot of fun, as well as a festival park with attractions, a museum and the original Tour de France artefacts will be created in Prague. French gastronomy will also be present.

  ŠKODA AUTO is the general partner of the event, and it will also take care of additional activities in the race’s start and finish area. It will prepare a traffic playground for children, an inflatable bouncing car and ROUVY cycling simulators for testing. ŠKODA AUTO is also a partner of the sprint zone in Beroun, where it will prepare a circuit for children’s races. The specially modified ENYAQ iV car driven by the Tour de France’s race director will also be on display. For more about the race conditions, visit www.letapeczech.cz. ED
  

  Go green and win the entry fee

  The We Love Cycling online magazine, in cooperation with ŠKODA AUTO Czech Republic, has prepared an exclusive Instagram contest for entry fees for L’Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France. Just take a picture of yourself in a green outfit and add the #vzelenem hashtag to the Instagram post. You can also win other great cycling prizes. For more details, follow WeLoveCycling.cz at Facebook and Instagram or on its website, welovecycling.cz.

  Find We Love Cycling Czech Republic on Instagram here.

• Cycling/ Tour de France

  Cycling / Tour de France
  

  To Paris with ŠKODA cars behind the back

  The most famous cycling race in the world once again offered a spectacular show, and ŠKODA AUTO was there

   asterful victory defence of the Slovenian cyclist, Tadej Pogačar, breath-taking climbs to the legendary Tourmalet or Mont Ventoux peaks and the stunning comeback of the legendary sprinter Mark Cavendish, who won the winning green jersey supported by the ŠKODA brand in the scoring competition. The Tour de France once again brought great entertainment to cycling fans, and the Czech carmaker was very visible. It is the general partner of the race for the 18th time and, just like last year, it provided the organisers with a specially modified fully electric ENYAQ iV car. As the director’s car, the so-called Red Car, it accompanied the peloton to the finish of the last stage on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. In total, it served in this way in 15 of the 21 stages, and it was replaced by the SUPERB iV plug-in hybrid in the remaining ones. 

  250

  cars were provided by ŠKODA AUTO to the organisers and the management of the Tour de France race.

  2,000,000

  kilometres were covered by this fleet throughout the race.

  Trophy with pure energy motifs

  In addition, ŠKODA AUTO also took care of the winner’s prize. The trophy made of crystal glass was again designed by Peter Olah, Head of EDI – Interior Design, Colour and Trim. This year, its design was inspired by the motifs of nature, ecology and clean energy. The crystal is decorated with symbolic blades of grass that wind upward along the 60-centimetre trophy made by the Lasvit glass company from Nový Bor.

  Tribute to legends

  Many Czech cycling personalities were not allowed to participate in the Tour de France in the past. This year, ŠKODA AUTO invited three of them to the famous race as guests as part of the You Belong to the Tour campaign! The trio included Jan Smolík, who in 1964 became the youngest winner of the Peace Race. The sprinter Antonín Bartoníček also shone at the largest race of the Eastern bloc by winning six stages; however, he also dominated the Around England and Around Scotland races. The pair was then joined by Jiří Škoda, who in 1984 won the prize for the best amateur cyclist in the world and also has a bronze medal from the team race at the 1980 Olympics. ED
  

• Quality

  Quality
  

  Structure of Materials from Up Close

  The Quality department has replaced its previous equipment used for detailed material analysis with a new electron microscope

  n recent months, the GQM-2 – Materials Technology and Special Measurements department has invested in the new ZEISS GeminiSEM 500 electron microscope. It has replaced the existing TESCAN microscope, which ŠKODA AUTO had been using since 2007. “In the case of demanding analyses, we previously had to rely on the free capacity of the Technical University in Liberec, with which we cooperate closely”, explains Petr Sobotka, Head of GQM-2, regarding the need for a new microscope. “This new microscope allows us to examine and detect much more and in more detail than the existing equipment. In addition, it provides us with sufficient independence and the ability to properly analyse, in a matter of hours, the causes of defects in production and from the customer field”, he adds.

  Electron microscopes are among the most versatile devices with which to observe the micro-world. They provide comprehensive information about the sample’s microstructure, chemical composition and many other properties.

  The new device not only offers observations with higher magnification and resolution but also significantly expands the portfolio of materials with those that could not be analysed before, such as polymers, glass, ceramics and textiles. Thanks to this, the Quality department can now examine, for example, operating deposits from the engine and cooling system or the components of high-voltage electric vehicle batteries. Furthermore, it can analyse structural changes that have occurred in the material during pressing, crash testing or other types of mechanical stress.

  Almost 15 months passed between the first preparations for and the installation of the equipment, all of which culminated in the commissioning ceremony on 10 June 2021 attended by Florian Weymar, Head of GQ – Quality Management (photo on the left), and other Quality Management representatives like Roger Hillert, Oliver Starke and Jaroslav Vlk. The composition of the leaders, to whom the microscope was presented in detail, clearly shows the main motivation that led to the investment of almost half a million euros: to increase the quality of manufactured cars and expand competencies in the new technology fields. The strengthening of know-how in the field of electromobility, fault prevention and digitisation plays a crucial role in the transformation of the Quality department and gets significant support from the ŠKODA AUTO leadership. ED
  

  What is an electron microscope?

  This is not a well-known optical microscope but a complex electronic device that uses the interaction of an electron beam with a sample placed in a vacuum chamber to image the material surface. The electron beam ‘scans’ the sample surface with high accuracy. The resulting magnification and resolution allow viewing at the level of nanoparticles (starting from 1 nanometre, that is, one-millionth of a millimetre). At the same time, the chemical composition or material structure of the examined object can be analysed.

  Microscope utilisation

  60%

  Production and quality of production

  20%

  Technical development 

  
  

  20%

  Analysis of defects from the customer network

• Green Future

  Eco-packaging

  ŠKODA AUTO is gradually replacing disposable catering plastics with more environmentally friendly options
  

   t the beginning of July, a ban on marketing disposable packaging for food, beverages to go and other products in gastronomic establishments and households entered into force in the European Union. Although the Czech Republic has not yet incorporated the directive into its law, ŠKODA AUTO has been preparing for this change for a long time. And gradually, it aims to replace disposable catering plastics with organic products.

  Did you know that Aramark restaurants used to consume more than 7 tonnes of plastic boxes a year?

  Re-usable

  The carmaker, in cooperation with Aramark, had been looking for new packaging in the field of bioplastics and reusable recyclable materials. Since March 2020, employees have been testing a Swiss product in the restaurants of the Administrative Centre, M2, and Vrchlabí as part of a pilot project. After evaluation and further testing, a box produced by a Czech manufacturer was selected and will be implemented in all restaurants in the Mladá Boleslav and Kvasiny during the summer. The solution took into account all the comments from employees (e.g. higher partitions between bowls) and the carbon footprint. The REkrabička box is made of fully recyclable polypropylene, which is mechanically resistant and harmless to health (certified by the State Institute of Public Health) and can replace up to several hundred disposable packages. It also boasts a long wash life. The REkrabička boxes will be available in single- and double-chamber variants, and you can get one for refundable deposit of CZK 150. For example, if you accidentally leave it at home, you can simply pick up a new one against a refundable deposit. Service charge for using of REkrabička box is CZK 3.50; during the coronavirus-related measures, this amount has been reduced to just CZK 1.00. In addition, you can take out meals in the so-called menu boxes made of sugar cane, for example. Since June, re-usable KeepCup cups are also available. They are microwave and dishwasher safe, and drinks will retain their temperature for 30 minutes longer than in disposable packages. The cups are completely recyclable and can be used in cafés and restaurants, as well as for vending machine drinks. There are currently two colour variants on offer.

  However, ŠKODA AUTO has already used ecological variants in gastronomy before. In 2019, for example, it replaced plastic cutlery and beverage stirrers with their wooden variants and plastic plates and plastic bags with paper ones. This year, it replaced the pastry bags with a paper variant. ED
  

  
  

  2019/2020 Sustainable Development Report
  

  ŠKODA AUTO raises its sustainability goals and fully supports the fight against COVID-19
  

   he recently published Sustainable Development Report provides a detailed overview of ŠKODA AUTO’s progress in sustainable environmental protection over the past two years, as well as information on extensive activities in the areas of social responsibility, compliance and integrity. As part of the new company strategy called NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030 (read more on page 4), the carmaker will further increase its ambitious goals in these areas and focus even more on the diversity topic. ŠKODA AUTO defines its sustainability goals as part of the Green Future strategy, which aims to minimise the company’s environmental footprint. Since the beginning of 2020, the carmaker has materially or thermally recycled all landfill waste generated during production. It is also taking the necessary measures to fully rely on CO2-neutral energy for production in its Czech plants within the next decade. The Vrchlabí plant has ​​had CO2-neutral production since the end of 2020, and the Kvasiny and Mladá Boleslav plants will join it over time. As the next step, the carmaker wants to switch from natural gas to biogas by the end of this year. The environmental impact of the technologies used by ŠKODA AUTO is also being reduced. For example, the OPTIKON application determines the optimal placement of pallets in freight containers, thereby enabling savings of approximately 80 tonnes of CO2 emissions in the first half of 2020 alone.

  The carmaker has also long been dedicated to sustainable regional development in the vicinity of its production plants. It supports projects in the field of road safety or barrier-free mobility. During the coronavirus pandemic, it significantly increased its support of health and social services. ED
  

  You can read the full report, which offers a comprehensive overview of sustainability at ŠKODA AUTO, by scanning the QR code.

• At a new address

  At a new address

  Marc Brückner
  

  Project Manager G3K – PL Car Body Midsize/MEB
  

  325
  

  A road leads from Mladá Boleslav to Marc’s hometown of Bernburg

  
  

  Experiences from Slovakia and Africa
  

   hen I received the offer to work for ŠKODA AUTO, it took only a few seconds for me to make up my mind. Previously, I’d only been involved in the development of Volkswagen cars (e.g. the e-Golf, Touareg and models for the Chinese market), so I wanted to gain experiences with another Group brand. However, I have experience working outside my native Germany: In the past, I’ve also worked at the Volkswagen plants in South Africa and Slovakia. That is where I met my wife, so now we’re much closer to her parents. My beginnings in the Czech Republic were great; everyone accepted me very well, and I immediately fell in love with my work here. I think the Czechs are more pragmatic than the Germans and make decisions more quickly, which suits me. The only negative for me were the COVID-19 issues. I didn’t meet many of my colleagues “face-to-face” for a long time. I’m much happier being in direct contact at work, so I welcomed the improved situation when I could approach my colleagues in Mladá Boleslav in person and say: “Hi Guys, I’m Marc from G3K. Nice to meet you now, not only on-screen.”

  In Mladá Boleslav, I’m in charge of the exterior parts of the BETA+ project, which involves the joint development of the new ŠKODA SUPERB and Volkswagen Passat models.
  

  Discovering the beautiful local sites
  

  We made use of our time during the pandemic to explore the Czech Republic. We love hiking and mountain climbing, so we spent a lot of weekends there. We went, for example, to the Sněžka Mountain, Bohemian Paradise, the Pravčická Archway and Harrachov.

  I’m learning Czech

  I’m an open-minded person, and I get used to new conditions quickly. Although Czech is challenging for me, I try to get better at it every week. I have a huge advantage that my wife speaks Slovak and Czech and can help me anytime. I was also impressed by how many of my colleagues here speak excellent German and English, which makes the situation much easier for me. Even so, I hope that I will speak Czech soon.

  Grandfather’s ‘MB Car’

  I was already a fan of ŠKODA cars before coming to Mladá Boleslav. I had the third-generation SUPERB COMBI, which is a really great car. My father, brother and I started renovating our 1000 MB car that had been in the garage for 30 years without moving. ŠKODA cars are close to my heart.

  Life in Prague

  We live in the capital, so we also got to know Prague well. There is an endless number of excellent restaurants, and my wife and I are constantly trying to get to know new businesses. I must say that I haven’t eaten any bad food in 10 months.

  Beloved tennis

  My wife and I are enthusiastic tennis players, so if we have free time and the weather is right, you’ll probably find us on the court. I’m currently looking for a club to join the tennis league.

• Škodováci – fotogalerie

  Daniel Hadroušek využil pro cestu z Číny více než deset dopravních prostředků, mimo jiné i vlak. 

  V Číně, odkud se vracel, byl studijně.

  Na cestu tam i zpět si zvolil jen to nejnutnější – vše co se vešlo do báglu.

  Zastávky měl na více místech, vesměs tam, kde bydleli jeho spolužácim, díky tomu více poznal země, jimiž projížděl.

• Pravidla soutěže PDF

• Srdcovka – fotogalerie

  Pferda svým klientům pomáhá naučit se žít maximálně samostatně.

  Pferda nejprve trénuje dovednosti svých klientů a připravuje je na to, aby mohli v budoucnu pracovat a bydlet sami.

  Jakmile vše ovládají, posouvajíse dál do jednoho ze sociálních podniků Pferdy, například do jejich pekárny Na plechu.

  Pečou zde dorty a pečivo jak pro kavárny Láry Fáry, tak pro restaurace v regionu.

• Pravidla soutěže

  Pravidla soutěže ve ŠKODA Mobilu

  1. Pořadatel Soutěže

  Společnost ŠKODA AUTO a.s., se sídlem tř. Václava Klementa 869, Mladá Boleslav II, 293 01 Mladá Boleslav, IČO: 00177041, zapsaná v obchodním rejstříku vedeném Městským soudem v Praze pod sp. zn. B 332 (dále jen „Pořadatel“), pořádá tuto čtenářskou soutěž (dále jen „Soutěž“), jejíž postup a podmínky upravují tato pravidla (dále jen „Pravidla“).

  2. Doba trvání soutěže

  Soutěž probíhá v době od 30.07.2021 do 20.08.2021 (dále jen „Doba soutěže“).

  3. Soutěžící

  Soutěže se může účastnit každý čtenář zaměstnaneckých novin ŠKODA Mobil, který v Době soutěže vyplní kvíz a své odpovědi zašle na e-mailovou adresu skoda.mobil@skoda-auto.cz (dále jen „Soutěžící“). Soutěžící se zavazuje uvádět v soutěžní registraci pouze pravdivé údaje.

  Soutěžící mladší 18 let se mohou Soutěže zúčastnit pouze se souhlasem svého zákonného zástupce, který je povinen se na žádost Pořadateli prokázat.

  Ze Soutěže jsou vyloučeni zaměstnanci útvaru GK/2 jako organizátora soutěže a osoby těmto osobám blízké podle § 22 zákona č. 89/2012 Sb., občanský zákoník, ve znění pozdějších předpisů.

  4. Princip Soutěže

  Úkolem soutěžícího je zodpovědět otázky v kvízu, který Pořadatel zveřejní v tištěné verzi zaměstnaneckých novin ŠKODA Mobil (vydání Srpen 2021), nebo v online verzi novin téhož vydání na webové adrese www.skodamobil.cz. Zodpovězením otázek se rozumí odeslání odpovědí na kvízové otázky na e-mailovou adresu skoda.mobil@skoda-auto.cz. Každý soutěžící může odeslat své odpovědi za Dobu soutěže jen jednou. Ze správných odpovědí budou vylosováni 20 výherců (dále jen „Výherce“).

  5. Výhra v Soutěži

  Výhrou jsou následující ceny:

  20x Rodinné vstupenky do Leteckého muzea
  

  6. Kontaktování Výherce a podmínky čerpání výhry

  Pořadatel bude Výherce informovat o výhře zejména telefonicky/písemně na kontaktní telefonní číslo / e-mailovou adresu, které Soutěžící uvedl v e-mailu se svými odpověďmi, a to nejpozději do 14 dnů od ukončení Soutěže. S Výhercem se Pořadatel následně dohodne na způsobu předání Výhry. Standardní způsob předání výhry je osobní předání. Podmínkou předání výhry je podpis předávacího protokolu nebo potvrzení o převzetí ze strany Výherce.

  Výhru není možné alternativně vyplatit v hotovosti ani v jiném plnění. Výhra není soudně vymahatelná. Poskytovatelem výhry je Pořadatel. Pořadatel nenese žádnou odpovědnost za jakákoliv rizika a závazky související s užíváním výhry. Pořadatel si rovněž vyhrazuje právo výměny výhry za výhru, která je odpovídající náhradou.

  V případě, že Výherce výhru nepřevezme osobně ve sjednaném termínu, ztrácí na výhru nárok a výhra propadne, aniž by Výherci vznikl nárok na jakoukoliv kompenzaci ze strany Pořadatele.

  7. Pravidla ochrany osobních údajů (v souladu s GDPR 2016/679)

  Vyplněním kvízu a zasláním odpovědí na výše uvedenou e-mailovou adresu Soutěžící vědomě a dobrovolně souhlasí s Pravidly soutěže (viz tento dokument), což znamená:

  – zařazení do soutěže a příslušné evidence Soutěžících;

  – zasílání informačních e-mailů týkajících se této Soutěže;

  – případné zveřejnění jeho osobních údajů v rozsahu jméno a útvar na výherní listině.

  Osobní údaje budou uchovávány pouze pro potřebu Soutěže a nebudou využívány k marketingovým účelům.

  Osobní údaje se zpracovávají po dobu od jejich poskytnutí v rámci Soutěže až do vyhlášení výsledků Soutěže, maximálně však na 1 rok od jejich poskytnutí. Osobní údaje jsou od Soutěžícího získávány na základě pravdivě vyplněného registračního e-mailu (e-mail se správnými odpověďmi zaslaný na skoda.mobil@skoda-auto.cz). Osobní údaje Soutěžícího budou zpracovány ve výše uvedeném rozsahu v elektronické databázi správce osobních údajů, popř. zpracovatelem, se kterým správce osobních údajů (Pořadatel) uzavře příslušnou smlouvu.

  Požádá-li Soutěžící o informaci o zpracování svých osobních údajů, je mu správce a případně i zpracovatel povinen tuto informaci bez zbytečného odkladu předat. Každý Soutěžící, který zjistí nebo se domnívá, že správce provádí zpracování jeho osobních údajů, které je v rozporu s ochranou soukromého a osobního života Soutěžícího nebo v rozporu se zákonem, může požádat správce o vysvětlení nebo požadovat, aby správce odstranil takto vzniklý stav. Soutěžící má právo (omezení zpracování, oprava osobních údajů, doplnění nebo likvidace osobních údajů, podání stížnosti) se obracet na správce na: DPoffice@skoda-auto.cz.

  Kontakty:

  Pověřenec pro ochranu osobních údajů ve ŠKODA AUTO: DPO@skoda-auto.cz

  Úřad pro ochranu osobních údajů: www.uoou.cz.

  8. Ostatní ustanovení

  Pořadatel neodpovídá za přímé či nepřímé škody v souvislosti s účastí v Soutěži. Nebezpečí škody na výhře přechází na Výherce okamžikem předání výhry Výherci. Pořadatel není odpovědný za jakékoli technické problémy vzniklé při přenosu dat elektronickými prostředky.

  Pořadatel si vyhrazuje právo bez udání důvodu vyloučit Soutěžícího, jehož chování či jednání vykazuje známky nekalého či podvodného jednání. Osoby nesplňující podmínky účasti v Soutěži nebo jednající v rozporu s Pravidly Soutěže nebudou do Soutěže zařazeny. I pokud taková osoba splní některé podmínky pro získání výhry, např. v důsledku nepravdivých informací, které poskytla, nestává se Výhercem a nemá nárok na výhru. Výhra bude v takovém případě předána dalšímu Soutěžícímu v pořadí. Soutěžící bude vyloučen v případě, že Pořadatel zjistí nebo bude mít oprávněné podezření na spáchání podvodného nebo nekalého jednání ze strany některého ze Soutěžících či jiné osoby, která dopomohla danému Soutěžícímu k získání Výhry.

  Pořadatel si vyhrazuje právo i bez uvedení důvodů Dobu soutěže zkrátit, Soutěž přerušit nebo zrušit či změnit její Pravidla, a to i bez udělení výhry a bez poskytnutí náhrad. Pořadatel si rovněž vyhrazuje právo nahradit ohlášenou výhru předmětem podobného typu a odpovídající hodnoty a upravit podmínky předání výhry v případě, že výhra nebude poskytnuta způsobem umožňujícím předání výhry vítězům v souladu s těmito Pravidly.

  Pořadatel má právo konečného rozhodnutí ve všech záležitostech Soutěže včetně rozhodnutí o neudělení výhry v Soutěži a také si vyhrazuje právo konečného posouzení splnění či nesplnění podmínek stanovených pro získání výhry v Soutěži. Výhru nezískají ti Soutěžící, kteří nesplní byť jen okrajově či částečně stanovené podmínky pro získání výhry. Pořadatel tímto nepřebírá vůči Soutěžícím žádné jiné závazky, a tito nemají nárok na jakákoliv jiná plnění ze strany Pořadatele než uvedená v těchto Pravidlech.

  V případě, že dojde ke změnám podmínek a Pravidel Soutěže, bude toto učiněno písemně ve formě aktualizace těchto Pravidel. Aktuální verze těchto Pravidel je v plném znění dostupná na www.skodamobil.cz. Soutěžící nemá právo na náhradu nákladů spojených s účastí v Soutěži, a to ani v případě změny těchto Pravidel.

  Tato Pravidla jsou platná a účinná ode dne 30. 07. 2021.

• VZOR

  Sysel při západu slunce na Radouči

  Bedřichov po cestě na přehradu 

  Zima v Arberu

  Přehrada Souš

  Kozí hřbety nad Špindlerovým Mlýnem

  Mléčná dráha nad osadou Jizerka

• GreenFuture – fotogalerie

  Re-usable and recyclable KeepCups are currently available in two colour variants.

  Re-usable and recyclable KeepCups are currently available in two colour variants.

  The REkrabička boxes is made of 100% recyclable material. When you visit the restaurant, you simply bring it washed and exchange it for a new one to carry out your food.

  The REkrabička boxes is made of 100% recyclable material. When you visit the restaurant, you simply bring it washed and exchange it for a new one to carry out your food.

  The REkrabička boxes is made of 100% recyclable material. When you visit the restaurant, you simply bring it washed and exchange it for a new one to carry out your food.

  Information leaflet for REkrabička.

  Information leaflet for REkrabička.

• NEXT LEVEL – fotogalerie

  Jaroslav Povšík, Chairman of the Worsk Council and Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ŠKODA AUTO, attended the MMI and the press conference on behalf of the KOVO Trade Union.

  By 2030, electrification and modern technologies are expected to reduce CO2 emissions in the car fleet produced by more than 50 percent.

  As part of the MMI conference, there was also a farewell and thanks given to Hana Kurzweilová,
  Head of ST – Comprehensive Care for MGMT, Employer Branding.

• Jak to chodí – fotogalerie

   The beginning of the whole training module already shows that this is not just a classic training. On the ground floor of the Lean Centre, participants board a thematically decorated elevator to which they are ushered by their guide. “The three-storey-ride helps to build an atmosphere for what will follow”, says Kateřina Kramešová, Head of the PSI-P – Production System department, luring us in to the non-traditional learning concept. 

   After getting off the elevator, the group of participants finds themselves in a different world. In front of the elevator is a gate to the escape game. “We worked on its implementation with a Czech company, which is among the world’s top producers of these games”, says Miroslav Kroupa, Head of PS – Brand Management. The escape game contains elements related to electromobility, as well as the carmaker’s history, and it features several rooms. How many? You will have to find out for yourself.

   After successfully solving the escape game, an encounter with virtual reality follows. Special goggles will transport participants to three-dimensional models of electric cars, where they can examine all the parts, functionalities, current flows and charging options in detail. During the training, they will also try to “install” the individual essential components of the electrified car where they belong.

   From the virtual world, the participants move to the real one – the model of the complete electrical architecture of the ENYAQ iV. “The exhibit was created from one of the first test pieces, which covered tens of thousands of kilometres. Participants can take a closer look at what they have learnt in virtual reality”, says Kroupa.

  
  

   Another station is used to practise the basic skills associated with electric cars and is designed primarily for Production employees. “They learn to correctly connect various types of connectors and detect possible damage”, adds Petr Vokoun, Coordinator of PSIP / 11 – Lean management and Training.

  
  

   After practising the basic skills, there is a short introduction of the FORCE Programme. In the so-called FORCE Octagon, participants learn current information from the programme’s individual action fields. In addition, each of the fields is emphasised by a short game related to the given topic. The players compete against each other; however, at the same time, the overall team score is calculated, and at the end, the team learns how it fared against other teams from the carmaker.

  The eMobility training centre in the Lean Centre building had its grand opening and started the pilot operation on 22 July with the carmaker’s vmanagement representatives in the presence of the members of the Board of Directors Maren Gräf (Human Resources Management Resources) and Michael Oeljeklaus (Production and Logistics). You can find the photo at www.skodamobil.cz.

• Modely – fotogalerie

  The updated KODIAQ dynamic presentation for journalists and influencers took place in the French Alpine resort of Megève.

  They tested SUV in all available variants.

  Very popular was the sporty RS version, this time with a petrol engine.

  The organizers chose an offroad route to test the 4x4 cars.

  The mountain roads offered ideal conditions for testing the KODIAQ.

  Series production of the rejuvenated KODIAQ started in Kvasiny on 18 June in the presence of Michael Oeljeklaus, Member of the Board for Production and Logistics.
  

• Motorsport – fotogalerie

  Na Rally Bohemia vyrazil Jan Kopecký v barvách továrního týmu(vlevo). A ukázal se také elektrický speciál (vpravo), na jehož vývoji se v Mladé Boleslavi podílejí.

  Vůz postavený na technickém základě modeluFABIA Rally2 evo pohání dva elektromotory o celkovém výkonu 260 kW a točivém momentu 600 Nm

  Samotnou Rally Bohemia pak suverénně ovládla dvojice Jan Kopecký / Jan Hloušek v továrrním voze FABIA Rally2 evo.
  

• Kvalita– fotogalerie

  A new addition to the GQM-2 materials laboratory equipment portfolio – the ZEISS GeminiSEM 500 electron microscope.

  Four material technology experts will be trained to work on the new equipment - in the picture, specialist Vít Kotrbatý is analysing the polymer structure.

  Jan Pánek – Metal Material Test Coordinator shows Florian Weymar, Head of GQ – Quality Management, the function of the new equipment.

  The specimen, approximately 1-5 cm in size, is placed on a handling stage in the vacuum chamber of the microscope.

  The monitors can simultaneously display a preview of the vacuum chamber with the sample, surface topography, chemical and structural analysis of the material, etc.

  The presentation of the new facility to representatives of GQ – Quality Management took place on 10 June 2021.

  The presentation included an expert discussion on the possibilities of using the equipment in the analysis of new technologies (pictured from left: Florian Weymar, Oliver Starke, Roger Hillert and Petr Sobotka).

• INDIA 2.0 / Pomoc Indii – fotogalerie

  Emergency material aid went to covid-19-hit India in two batches.

  For the transport, the carmaker arranged an IL-76 aircraft that could accommodate an oxygen generator the size of a shipping container.

  In addition to the oxygen generator, the second shipment contained hundreds of oxygen cylinders.

  The flight with a stopover took about 30 hours.

• INDIA 2.0 / SOP KUSHAQ – fotogalerie

  Mojmír Hájek (left), Head of Production and Logistics, and Gurpratap Boparai (right), Managing Director of ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited, at the launch of the series production of the KUSHAQ.

  The launch of the KUSHAQ model was accompanied by the traditional breaking of coconuts. This ritual brings good luck and in India has a similar symbolism as having a book launch with Champagne in Europe.
  

  The launch of the KUSHAQ model was accompanied by the traditional breaking of coconuts. This ritual brings good luck and in India has a similar symbolism as having a book launch with Champagne in Europe.