1/2020

ŠKODA Mobil - newsletter, January 2020.

• Title

• Flight through the ŠKODA World

  Flight through the ŠKODA World

  Around the World

  Total deliveries of ŠKODA cars in selected markets in 2019, compared with 2018 

  Smooth Voyage through Rough Waters

  Last year, ŠKODA AUTO delivered 1,242,800 vehicles to its customers around the world and almost repeated its record year of 2018. It enjoyed a particularly successful period in the European markets, with deliveries rising by 5.8 percent last year. Germany accounted for a large share of this figure; it is the world’s second-largest automobile market, and our customers here requested 14,600 more of the Czech brand’s cars than in the previous year. The high output also corresponds to production performance. Last year, the carmaker produced 1,252,167 cars, and in April, it exceeded its level of 22 million cars produced since 1905.

  Worldwide Growth

  Last year, the VW Group delivered 10,974,600 cars worldwide. At a time when the automotive industry was generally experiencing a decline, the Group saw an increase of 1.3 percent in its deliveries. As a result, it has increased its market share in all the regions, sometimes even significantly. Electric cars made a strong entrance last year, and the VW Group increased their deliveries by 80 percent to more than 140,000 units.

  More Cars to the West 

  and to India

  The end of 2019 was very successful for the carmaker. While the number of cars delivered to its customers in November fell by 1 percent year on year, December showed significant growth. A total of 114,700 cars headed to the customers, up 9.1 percent year on year. The West European market accounted for a large share, with deliveries rising by 23 percent. The brand also had a successful month in India, where its clients purchased 17.2 percent more cars than in December 2018.

  Models and Services

  This is What They Say

  Auto Express (8 January 2020)

  ŠKODA KAROQ
  1,5 TSI 110 kW 

  
  

  Final Grade

  4.5 / 5

  The car’s strength

  is its practicality,

  which makes it one of

  the top compact SUVs.

  Excellent price/performance ratio

  Practical interior design

  Comfortable ride

  Safety features

  Less driving fun

  More difficult infotainment control while driving

  Our new RAPID exclusively for Russia

  In St. Petersburg, ŠKODA AUTO unveiled its new generation of the RAPID liftback on 11 December. This innovative car, produced by the employees of the Kaluga plant, is offered exclusively by the carmaker on the Russian market. Sales will start in mid-March. It is powered by 1.6 MPI engines in 66 kW and 81 kW versions with manual five-speed transmission. Automatic transmissions are available on request. 
  

  More information about models on the Russian market can be found here.

  The Indian Future

  The Czech carmaker will present its VISION IN study at the Auto Expo in Delhi, which takes place from 5 to 12 February. It will become the foundation of its compact SUV designed for the Indian market and the first car on the Group’s new MQB-A0-IN platform. The design sketches suggest a robust appearance of the 4.26-metre-long concept. Its front is dominated by a radiator grille with massive ribs and very low two-piece headlights. The interior draws attention with a lot of distinctive orange elements and a large central display freely placed in space.

  tender
  

  For the First Time on Leasing

  In January, the Czech Police received its 500 third-generation OCTAVIA cars with their 1.5 TSI engines and automatic DSG transmissions. The cars feature the Ambition equipment level, and the Ministry of the Interior is using operational leasing for the first time. The contract was won by the carmaker in cooperation with the ŠkoFIN leasing company through a public tender last September. Since 1993, ŠKODA has delivered more than 18,000 vehicles to the Czech Police.

  Achievements and Trophies

  Awards for Students

  For the first time ever, dozens of talented college students who prepared their final works in cooperation with ŠKODA AUTO competed for the new Laurin & Klement Prize. In early December, the expert jury was most interested in the work of Petr Šulc from the Jan Perner Transport Faculty of the University of Pardubice, whose diploma thesis is entitled “Bonded joints and their testing under dynamic loading conditions”. He earned the CZK 80,000 reward and two tickets to this year’s World Ice-Hockey Championship in Switzerland. Students can already apply for next year’s round.

  Bronze Success

  The KAMIQ has won the third place in the prestigious Czech Republic’s Car of 2020 poll, in which more than 30 expert jurors evaluated 22 nominated cars. The Czech carmaker’s production also succeeded in the accompanying public vote. In the lower-middle and middle class, its SCALA car received the most votes. The KAMIQ won in the small crossover category.

  Infrastructure
  

  Easier Parking in Česana

  Since 8 January, Technical Development employees have been using a new parking facility with 450 spaces. The facility is still undergoing trial operation, and official approval will take place in May. In the spring, the facility will get its outdoor cladding, and gardeners will work on the surrounding area. You can access the parking facility using your MFA card at the boom gates and park your CNG and LPG cars on the designated roof parking spaces. Electric vehicles were considered as well, and six of them can be charged at the same time. In the future, the number of charging stations will be expanded to serve up to 150 parking spaces.

  Large-Capacity Kitchen is already Growing

  At gate 8, the construction of a new central kitchen has begun. Its operation will start in January 2021. Its technology will enable the preparation of meals according to the latest trends in the form of low-temperature cooking that significantly preserves the nutrients and vitamins. Its menu will also be expanded with extremely popular vegetarian dishes. Another benefit will be its technology for the preparation of raw materials for Fresh Line–type dishes. The new technology will further reduce the kitchen’s power consumption and improve its waste management.

  The total of 274,242 visitors who headed to the ŠKODA Museum last year exceeded its 2018 record.

• Interview

  Interview
  

  The company’s extraordinary
  125th anniversary

  Interview with Bernhard Maier, Chairman of the Board of Škoda Auto

  Last year, ŠKODA AUTO entered the electromobility era when it introduced its first two e-models. However, it is still manufacturing cars with combustion engines. How long will it stick to this approach?

  I suppose both technologies will be with us for quite a while. We can assemble both combustion engines and electric drives on one line, which enables us to respond flexibly to customer demands.

  What news can customers look forward to in the course of this year?

  We have several irons in the fire. It all starts when we launch the OCTAVIA’s latest generation. We will also introduce the first purely electric MEB platform model. The car looks wonderful, and it’s simply great to drive. It will become the pride of a new era. In addition, the INDIA 2.0 project will be fully launched as well: At the Delhi Motor Show in February, we will unveil our future model portfolio. The first line product will be introduced in early 2021.

  I’m looking forward with optimism. If there’s a team that can meet all the challenges, it’s us.

  You have already announced that 2020 will be a difficult year. Which challenges are you preparing for?

  The high volatility of the world economy will continue to affect our businesses this year. There will be new challenges, like the much stricter CO2 emission regulations that came into force on 1 January. We also know that the newly elected European Commission representatives are considering an even stricter reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Internally, we have to launch the model on the MEB platform, where we will produce the OCTAVIA as well. 

  ŠKODA AUTO will contribute a total of EUR 30 million to Mladá Boleslav’s regional development. Why should large companies invest in the locations where they operate?

  As the largest company in the Czech Republic, we have an extraordinary responsibility that extends far beyond the factory gates. I think it’s important for the areas around our plants to develop just as positively as our company does. We need attractive, safe and cosmopolitan cities that move with the times. That is why I view the ŠKODA AUTO endowment fund with its EUR 30 million contribution and the cooperation with the Czech government as important initiatives. That is what I think a successful public-private partnership should look like.

  Together with local startups, ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab is developing various digital services. Are we moving in the right direction for digital transformation?

  Digital transformation depends on its performance speed. And in this regard, we are doing well. Services such as Citymove and BeRider have moved an entire range of mobility-on-demand solutions onto the road and into our customers’ facilities. The ŠKODA DigiLab Innovation Centres in Prague, Tel Aviv and Beijing are working with dozens of companies to develop new mobility services. Some of the innovations are coming soon. We are also opening our fourth DigiLab in India, and a new software centre in Pune will cooperate with ŠKODA IT. This brings us closer to the goal we defined in our 2025 Strategy: ŠKODA Simply Clever – a company offering the best mobility solutions. But we still have a long way to go. The new tasks are associated with the iV electromobility ecosystem. Here we are preparing a solution for wallboxes and charging cards to be simply clever again. 

  Last autumn, rumours were swirling about ŠKODA’s new position within the VW Group. You put out a vehement denial in a letter to employees. How does the situation look now?

  Nothing has changed. At ŠKODA AUTO, we adhere to a clear brand and product strategy. We are very successful worldwide, and we are on the same page as our Group colleagues. Our products are renowned for their extraordinary spaciousness, maximum functionality, progressive design, a whole range of simply clever ideas and a convincing price/performance ratio. In this way we embody the motto ŠKODA Smart Understatement. It is precisely this set of values that our customers around the world value and expect from every product. 

  At informal breakfasts and other events, you are staying in touch with employees. What is the result? 

  Right now, given the transformation process, I see this direct link as something very important. In these open discussions, I appreciate it that we are acting as equals and both sides are broadening their horizons. Our colleagues can catch a glimpse of my work, and I get interesting suggestions, new ideas and direct feedback from them. And that’s why I will continue these breakfasts this year!

  This year, our company is celebrating 125 years of operation. What does this mean for us?

  It is absolutely extraordinary. We are among the five oldest car brands that are still producing. Of course, we will celebrate this together with all ŠKODA employees. I’m looking forward to it! This anniversary also reminds us of our responsibility to safely navigate ŠKODA towards a prosperous future. That is what we want to work hard for in the new year.

  This autumn, you will be celebrating a small anniversary yourself. How do you view your first five years with the carmaker?

  It is fascinating work, and the challenges are linked to a lot of joy. I feel very good here in the Czech Republic at ŠKODA AUTO. There is great solidarity within the ŠKODA family, and I am very impressed by what we have accomplished so far. We have introduced electromobility into the Czech heart of ŠKODA. Within a very short amount of time, we have developed our SUV models to become the backbone of the product portfolio. We have launched the largest product offensive in our brand’s history. The INDIA 2.0 and Russia projects have strengthened our position within the VW Group for the long term. To me, it is particularly important that we have significantly increased the number of employees, along with job security. But we haven’t won yet! We will continue to vigorously pursue our 2025 Strategy, and we are already considering a 2030 Strategy.  red
  

• Target assessment

  Target Assessment

  2020 marks
  the beginning
  of a new era

  
  

  here are clear milestones for the car manufacturer and its employees in 2020. This year’s Target Assessment took place at the STC Kosmonosy on 14 January and was attended by the ŠKODA AUTO Board of Directors, as well as their subordinates and representatives from abroad. At the workshop, they jointly evaluated last year’s results, which, at 1.24 million vehicles delivered worldwide, were 0.9 percent lower than in the previous year. This decrease is due to a continuing slump in the overall passenger car market in China. In the rest of the world, however, ŠKODA increased its deliveries by 5.3 percent. The participants also discussed the 2020 targets at length and, in addition to the milestones for each area, laid out five specific, superordinate ones (see 2020 Targets). The workshop programme focused on fulfilling them, and the participants defined their personal commitments. The time has come to meet them. Moritz Silzer

  
  

  Goals for 2020

  Regional responsibility

  The INDIA 2.0 project is on track, and the Auto Expo in New Delhi in February will see ŠKODA present the VISION IN and offer the first details of the INDIA 2.0 model portfolio. On the Russian market, the trends are positive, too, and the brand’s objective this year is to continue its dynamic growth. The key goal in China is to consistently implement what is known as the “Master Plan”.

  Electrification / decarbonisation 

  This year, ŠKODA will introduce its first all-electric car based on the VW Group’s modular electrified platform. To meet the stringent CO2 legislation, it is essential for the brand to expand its electric car portfolio.

  Transformation 

  The transformation process is regaining momentum this year. ŠKODA still has a huge potential to introduce new areas of focus, according to the Innovation Mindset Index. Digital transformation is part of the overall package of transformation efforts. To this end, ŠKODA has reached an important milestone by establishing a new subsidiary expected to shelter all its digital projects in the future.

  Growth plan 

  ŠKODA has the potential to reach the threshold of selling 2 million vehicles annually within a decade. The key factor in this respect is whether the brand will receive the adequate product and capacity go-aheads. And what needs to be done to make this happen? The carmaker has to improve profitability, build new and/or expand existing market shares and cope with the transition from conventional to electric vehicles.

  Achieving adequate results 

  The transformation process is expensive, and the brand has to invest billions in future technologies. Therefore, consistently fulfilling the ATTACK Plan is all the more important. Our goal is to improve our financial result by nearly EUR 5 million by 2025 in order to continue making sustainable investments in products, markets and employees.

• eMobility

  eMobilitA

  The dawn
  of the eage

  ŠKODA AUTO prepares to equip its factories with hundreds of charging stations for employees
  

  The carmaker wants to make the emerging eMobility available to its employees and partners and do so with the highest possible standards. This is why an extensive recharging infrastructure is currently being built in the plants. It will be used by specialists who need to recharge for work-related purposes and by employees with company electric cars or private cars.  

  Around 580 charging points are now available on ŠKODA  AUTO’s premises. This number will rise to at least 946 this year.

  100 new charging points for private cars of employees (50 stations with two connectors) will be added this year. “In addition, we already have 240 charging points for company vehicles and around 300 for our specialised departments to carry out their tasks”, says Pavel Hanák from PKV – Project Management and Pre-series Component Centre. So far, around 580 charging points are available on ŠKODA AUTO’s premises. “This year, we are planning to expand this number to 946, including at least 140 points for our employees and 540 for company cars”, he adds. By 2022, around 1,500 parking spaces will be electrified. “Parking at these spots with conventional cars will be forbidden”, Hanák notes with an appeal to drivers’ decency.

  The stations will include AC (alternating current) chargers with an output of 2 × 11 kW from different manufacturers and powerful DC (direct current) fast chargers with outputs of 50 and 150 kW. The CITIGOe iV is recharged from a 7.2 kW AC station in five and a half hours, while the plug-in hybrid SUPERB iV requires three and a half hours (from zero to full) when connected to a 3.6 kW charger. When using DC charger with an output of up to 40 kW, the time to reach 80 percent of the battery with a CITIGOe iV can be reduced to one hour. The development of eMobility inside the company involves an extensive team, which mainly includes representatives from ŠKO-ENERGO, Construction (PPB), Purchasing (BA), Controlling (FCZ), Quality (GQ), Customer Centre (VTK), Service Centre (VAD), Technical Development (ES), Human Resources (SP), Brand Management (PS) and Plant Security (SO), as well as other departments. Luděk Vokáč
  

  Login to ŠKODA Space to find news for employees about eMobitlity

  ŠKO-ENERGO

  VISION 2035

  Smart factory

  Thanks to smart solutions, we are helping to reduce energy consumption in our factories and recover energy from waste.

  Green energy

  By generating and purchasing electricity and heat exclusively from renewable sources, we reduce the share of emissions. In line with ŠKODA AUTO’s strategy, we are on our way to CO2 neutrality.

  Infrastructure for eMobility

  We cooperate on the construction of charging stations, help to operate them and provide eMobility services.

  A good city to live in

  We supply Mladá Boleslav with cost-effective heat, participate in its energy concept, are a partner for the building of eMobility infrastructure and support activities providing better living conditions for citizens.

  Raption 50 

  fast-charging station

  The ŠKO-ENERGO charging station is designed for publicly accessible places and companies with a larger fleet. It provides a DC output power of 50 kW via CCS Combo 2 or CHADeMO connectors and an AC output power of 22 kW from the MENNEKES 2 socket. Users can get charging instructions and other information from the 8‑inch touchscreen.

  A memorable ride

  Employees who’ve had the SUPERB iV with hybrid drive since the autumn as part of securing the ramp-up are sharing their experiences

  Tomáš Dumek

  EGP – Product Optimisation

  The car has pleasantly surprised me. Its comfort, acoustics and dynamics are perhaps the best of what ŠKODA currently has on offer. When selecting the modes, I mainly go for electric drive. I enjoy driving without the usual “engine” sounds and vibrations. It’s also quite dynamic when driving in city traffic. I’ve clocked 6,000 km – mainly in suburban traffic. It gets more difficult with charging, however. I don’t have enough options at home yet, and I can get my hands on a charger at Technical Development about every other day because of the car park occupancy in the area. I see the biggest benefit in emission reduction and significantly lower consumption, which can even be zero if I recharge daily. Because of the state of infrastructure in the Czech Republic and most EU countries, the idea of a purely electric car doesn’t excite me much. Until the situation improves, I see PHEVs as the ideal solution.

  Lubomír Antoš, Ph.D.

  G1 – Small Product Line

  The SUPERB iV is a very quiet and comfortable car of the highest class. While driving, I started to track another parameter: the stages when the car was powered by electricity or by combustion and how much the consumption was. Braking is completely different because you usually slow down with recovery and not with brakes. The electric motor is completely different from the internal combustion engine; it has maximum torque at the start, which you can obviously feel in the car’s dynamics. I’ve driven 3,500 km so far, and I recharge every day at home. The battery capacity is enough to drive through Mladá Boleslav several times a day, so driving my car around the city produces zero emissions.

  Jiří Šída

  PSW-T – Tool Manufacturing Logistics 

  This is my first experience with electric propulsion, and I must say that the hybrid SUPERB has turned out really well. The car has a mileage of 9,000 km, and everything works fine. I drive to work and home only on electric power. I charge the battery at home or at a charging station when I arrive at work. The electric motor cooperates perfectly with the combustion engine. The car always responds promptly and willingly when I step on the pedal. The start is smooth and comfortable, and the electric motor is self-sufficient in all driving situations except for sharp overtaking. The biggest advantage of the hybrid drive is its agile performance, joyful driving and lower emissions. I can even imagine myself switching to an electric car… provided it has a longer range of about 400 km.

  Ready for a New Era

  The International Sales Training and Quality in Sales Department has trained thousands of dealers from around the world for the arrival of electromobility

   he goal of the eMobility 2019 product training was to turn dealer network employees from across Europe into electromobility ambassadors. It took place in Benidorm, Spain, from early November to mid-December. “We successfully trained representatives from the whole sales network in 26 countries”, says Tomasz Rak from VBQ – International Sales Training and Quality in Sales Quality. 

  For the participants, the opportunity to drive electric cars was the highlight of their event and gave them enough time to appreciate the new iV assortment.
  

  Electromobility brings with it several challenges and will require the introduction of new standards. In Spain, a combination of static and dynamic workshops awaited the dealers to provide them with all the information they needed and answer their customers’ questions. They learned about the new technologies, battery charging methods and battery designs and tested the cars’ acceleration, recuperation and driving characteristics in practice. After an opening ceremony packed with audio-visual effects, they were surprised by the intensity of their training with a very busy programme, whose quality was awarded a final rating of 4.8 out of five possible points. The result, which is based on the feedback of all the participants, ranks it at the top of all the previous product training programmes. Luděk Vokáč
  

  Participants have arrived in Spain

  Hybrid-drive SUPERB iV cars were available during the training
  

  Electric CITIGOe iV cars were tested by the dealers in Benidorm
  

• 2020 Outlook

  Výhled

  2020 Outlook

  From the founders’ ingeniousness, courage and enthusiasm all the way to ŠKODA AUTO’s Future

  In 2020, ŠKODA AUTO Commemorates 125 Years Since its Founding. The carmaker will celebrate with a number of activities for its employees, brand fans, motoring supporters and a special ŠKODA Mobil supplement. Historic cars will be featured at events in key markets in China and India, and the KAROQ, SCALA, FABIA and FABIA COMBI models will already be launched in their 125-year special versions. In addition, it has prepared an extensive marketing and communication campaign called “Driving Inventiveness since 1895”.

  Electromobility Rising

  The carmaker’s path to electric mobility will continue in the jubilee year as well. It will start selling its SUPERB iV at the beginning of the year and will present the serial version of its VISION iV concept in the first half of the year. This will be the first ŠKODA car on a special chassis platform for the MEB electric cars. As part of its product offensive, it will launch 30 new models by 2022, including 10 partially or fully powered by electricity. Currently, the carmaker is planning to build 1,500 charging stations in the vicinity of its production plants by 2022.

  120 

  years will be celebrated by the Tool Shop 

  115 

  years of personal car production in Mladá Boleslav

  85 

  The carmaker introduced the ŠKODA 935 Dynamic with its streamlined body 85 years ago

  
  

  Towards Sustainability

  This year, the carmaker expects the planting of the 1 millionth seedling as part of its ŠKODA Trees project. Following Vrchlabí, it will also strive to reduce the amount of production waste at landfills to zero at other plants through its Green Future strategy. Through its logistics processes, it intends to increase the share of alternative drives by increasing the number of LNG trucks and using more environmentally friendly materials for transport and packaging. During the year, ŠKODA will also organise its international symposium on CO2 climate neutrality in logistics to mark the 125th anniversary of the company’s founding.

  Novelties on the Indian Market

  Design studies of the MQB-A0-IN platform model will be presented at the Auto Expo car show in Delhi, India, from 5 to 12 February. In the first half of the year, India will also inaugurate a new Quality Centre, Body Shop and Engine Centre.

  IT news from India

  Based on the strategic plan the carmaker has established its ŠKODA DigiLab India and Software Developement Center (SDC). That way SAVWIPL will support the innovation hub in the area of digital and mobile solutions, SDC at VW IT Services India will cooperate with a associated SDC development center at ŠKODA AUTO. Both centers will also help the carmaker with quick reactions to the trends of customer IT applications.

  70 

  A factory crew with a ŠKODA Sport car started at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race 70 years ago

  60 

  The practical ŠKODA OCTAVIA COMBI premiered at the Brno Engineering Fair exactly 60 years ago

  50 

  The elegant 2+2-seater ŠKODA 110 R coupé celebrates its 50th birthday

  
  

  Competence centers

  Financial and IT departments are preparing to establish new competence centers according to the new IT strategic plan. Its specialists will be able to provide needed services for all of brands in VW Group, as all should have necessary knowledge and experiences. For example there should be a dedicated center for the Cloud platform Microsoft Azure in the future.
  

  Growing Infrastructure

  One important investment in the future is the construction of a new press line, including a new adjustment press. The cornerstone of the Central Pilot Hall was laid last September. The hall should be completed by March 2021. This year, the Quality Department will open its new measuring centre in Hall M14, and Component Production will receive its new electromobility training centre. The ŠKODA Design showroom, located near the Bezděčín Airport, is slowly getting ready for its finishing works before its grand opening. Investments are also being made in terms of social infrastructure. For example, the construction of a modern central kitchen, which is planned to open in January 2021, and other numerous reconstructions has begun.
  

  Shared Mobility

  The WeShare electric car sharing service, which offers emission-free and sustainable mobility in cities and was successfully launched by Volkswagen last year in Berlin, will be launched by ŠKODA AUTO in Prague this year as well. Purely electric cars will be included in the Czech fleet. We also expect a number of innovations from the BeRider electric scooter sharing service launched by ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab last year.
  

  28 

  For the 28th time, the ŠKODA brand will be the official main sponsor of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, which will take place from 8 to 24 May

  25 

  ŠKO-ENERGO has been supplying the carmaker with energy for 25 years

  20 

  The first-generation FABIA combi cars have been travelling on Czech and international roads for 20 years

  Taking Care of your Health

  You may use your Health Points and shop all year round by using the Cafeteria Benefits ŠKODA Internet application, as you would in an e-shop. Through our Healthy Back preventive campaign, you will learn how to care for your musculoskeletal system and your proper body posture. The environment of our work doctors will be improved through another newly reconstructed office.
  

  ŠKODA Compass

  This year, the Human Resources Management area will launch its new ŠKODA Compass cloud HR system. It will support navigation through personnel topics at ŠKODA AUTO, and it will be accessible from anywhere and at any time. We will tell you more about the system in ŠKODA Mobil.
  

  Company’s Culture

  Throughout the year, the carmaker intends to continue building its corporate culture. Everybody is getting ready for team meetings over the results of the Stimmungsbarometer survey, and you can look forward to other Master Rounds, as well as new debates on the VW Group’s Principles with ŠKODA AUTO’s management called OPEN TALK. This year, the so-called Innovation Mindset Index (IMX) will be repeated to identify key areas for supporting the innovation potential.
  

  20 

  ŠKODA AUTO University has been contributing to the modernisation of the Czech education system for 20 years already and is preparing students for the Future 4.0

  17 

  The carmaker will be the main official partner of the Tour de France for already the 17th time

  7 

  The seventh student AZUBI Car will be presented by the selected pupils of secondary vocational schools (SOUs) this June

  Electromobile Centres in the Czech Republic

  As of 1 January, all authorised ŠKODA brand partners in the Czech Republic meet the standards for the sale, servicing and charging of electric cars. As a result, they are now full electric mobility centres. 
  

  New Production Capacities

  In connection with the expanding range of electric cars and launching new models on the market, the Component Production Department will continue increasing its production capacities of its MQ200 transmissions and PHEV batteries. The forthcoming novelty based on the VISION iV study will also bring with it the start of production of the MEB platform-based axles, while preparations to produce 1.0 TSI evo plasma engines are also underway.
  

  For Customer Teams

  ŠKODA Motorsport will change its strategy in the World Rally Championship season. More than the success of its own factory team, it will focus on supporting promising junior riders and customer teams that use over 300 FABIA R5 or FABIA R5 evo cars. In addition to the regular supply of spare parts, they also require assistance to set up their cars for specific races and receive support from the ŠKODA engineers directly in the service zone. You will learn more about this in our upcoming February issue of ŠKODA Mobil.

• Strategy

  STRATEGY
  

  Exploring the path
  for the future
  

  With its E-STRATEGY 2025+, ŠKODA Auto Technical Development addresses KEY TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES IN the AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY – ELECTRIFICATION, CO2 REDUCTION, VIRTUAL DEVELOPMENT, CONNECTED CAR ETC.

  
  

  Vision
  

  Škoda smart understatement in every product

  The revised E-Strategy 2025+ focuses on 5 strategic core topics with 38 initiatives

  
  

  Innovation

  As a highly innovative company, we excite our customers with new technologies and functions

  Core Competence

  Improving the efficiency of internal capacities by focusing on core competencies

  Product Sustainability

  For all our products and mobility solutions we aspire to minimise environmental impacts along the entire lifecycle

  People & Organisation

  Agile workflows with flexible processes in cross-linked teams

  Regions

  One ŠKODA around the world with a unique DNA for each region

  Equal Partner in VW Group  

  Christian Strube, Board Member for Technical Development at ŠKODA AUTO, explains the significance of the E‑Strategy 2025+
  

  What were the main reasons for modifying the strategy for Technical Development?

  ŠKODA Technical Development has become an equal development partner in the Volkswagen Group. Since 2016, we have increased the number of cross-brand projects. In addition, the extension of the ŠKODA cycle plan and technology leaps in our cars required changes. Therefore, Česana has significantly grown with more than 700 new positions (Technical Development currently employs 2,309 engineers – ed.) and expansion of ca. 10,000 m2 additional office space.
  

  WE SEE THE TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN PUNE AS A STANDALONE ORGANISATION, AS WELL AS THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BACKBONE OF INDIA AND SOUTH EAST ASIA.

  Christian Strube

  CHRISTIAN STRUBE, BOARD MEMBER FOR TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT

  In a nutshell, what is the new E-Strategy 2025+ about?

  We came up with an inspiring vision for us: “ŠKODA Smart Understatement in every product”. This statement points out our greatest strength and our contribution both for ŠKODA and for the Volkswagen Group. The strategy for Technical Development was revised in a one-year process and involved more than 60 colleagues. We are now focusing all our initiatives on five (previously, eight) strategic core topics.  

  How will you measure the strategy’s success?
  

  Each core topic has roadmaps for 2025+ and clear targets for 2020. The five core topic teams meet quarterly in an interactive workshop to discuss progress, interfaces and also new impulses.

  In which way is E-Strategy 2025+ related to the strategy of the whole VW Group?
  

  It supports the VW Group strategy in particular with regard to taking over more development responsibility in India and it also adresses  the group environmental requirements related to products.. red 
  

• INDIA 2.0

  INDIA 2.0

  ŠKODA with
  Indian signature
  

  Technology CENTER in Pune aims to meet the specific needs of Indian customers

   stablished in June 2018 and inaugurated in January 2019, the Technology Center in Pune (TCP) is on the way to even greater success. ŠKODA’s first research and development centre outside the Czech Republic plays several key roles: It develops India-specific parts, steers local development suppliers, prepares the vehicle architecture and provides computer-aided simulations, verification and validation. It is also in charge of homologation and certification, market analyses, durability and fatigue tests. More broadly, the TCP extends and complements the activities of Technical Development in Mladá Boleslav, which is still fully responsible for the Styling Design and Concept Design phase.

  WE SEE THE TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN PUNE AS A STANDALONE ORGANISATION, AS WELL AS THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BACKBONE OF INDIA AND SOUTH EAST ASIA.

  
  

  “The key to our success is to be flexible and local. One of the TCP’s greatest missions is to listen to the voice of India (customers' needs) and translate it into particular projects. By using our LLL-Triple L formula (from the Locals to the Locals using Local resources), we can implement solutions that reduce development costs and develop the highest value-for-money products by using the simply clever approach”, says the Head of the TCP Gordon Calder. The organisation’s main project is INDIA 2.0 with two ŠKODA and two Volkswagen products. But there are many more projects under way. “We also support Audi and Porsche in activities in India”, he adds.

  The new centre has broken ground in several areas, showing ŠKODA’s commitment to become a global player, as well as the goal to boost R&D diversity, innovation and opportunities for our engineers. The Indian team has grown from a technical office of 40 engineers to a proficient centre with more than 200, a number that’s likely to grow in the future as the organisation becomes more autonomous. Another significant achievement in 2019 was in the area of supplier nominations, where the TCP helped purchasing teams to analyse valuable cost savings and provide ideas for parts considering India market requirements. Štěpán Vorlíček

  Gordon Calder

  Head OF THE TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN PUNE  

  The future of Pune’s Technology Center is really thrilling. First of all, we need to strengthen its competences and expertise in design and development under the INDIA 2.0 project. But we also already have a couple of ideas on new products. In parallel, a fully grown TCP will provide engineering and vehicle development services for all ŠKODA markets. We’ll do our best to use the engineering abilities of young Indians in the research and development activities of worldwide products. We’re also planning to establish a dedicated Centre of Competence in computer-aided engineering, software development and chassis development to serve and support Technical Development in Mladá Boleslav.

  Ready for the heat and monsoons
  

  The Indian market is very specific and has many aspects to take into account. Local cars need to be refined for ‘noise and vibrations’ due to a wide variety of road conditions, AC cooling and airflow rates need to be higher due to very hot and humid weather in many Indian states, and specific cars have a higher ground clearance for rough roads. Technicians tackle clutch performance issues arising in heavy city traffic (constant stopping and starting), or good water resistance required during the monsoon season.
  

• Russia

  russia

  RAPID WITH
  RUSSIAN BLOOD

  In St. Petersburg in December, ŠKODA AUTO introduced the latest version of its RAPID car for the Russian market. It is among the brand’s most demanded models

  88,609

  Last year, ŠKODA AUTO delivered 88,609 cars in Russia

  5,44% 

  The carmaker ranks seventh with its market share of 5.44 percent in Russia

  ur modernised RAPID will reach its Russian customers in mid-March. Technically, it is based on a previous design that has been fully localised for production in Russia. However, it also reflects the carmaker’s new design language. Its front mask and sharp-cut headlights follow the new-generation SCALA and OCTAVIA models, and the car’s rear is in line with the same philosophy. The interior features its brand-new look as well. “It is based on the SCALA model and will gradually appear in our other innovations for the Russian market, especially in our new OCTAVIA”, says Jan Procházka, Head of ŠKODA AUTO Russia. This process shows how important the RAPID is for the ŠKODA brand on the local market. “It is a model that carries the classic values ​​of the Czech brand and honours its car-making philosophy and understanding of ergonomics. It features its Simply Clever solution and huge practical luggage space”, explains Procházka. “We gain our customers’ loyalty by teaching them to perceive our car as we experience it in Europe and at ŠKODA AUTO”, he adds. 

  On the Russian market, ŠKODA AUTO has bet successfully on local production.

  Ambition to win the Russian drivers

  ROur RAPID is suited to the needs of our Russian customers, who prefer practical and classically shaped cars. This car also allows our Russian customers to discover the qualities of other ŠKODA cars. In Russia, the carmaker reached its record market share last year, with the trio of RAPID, OCTAVIA and KODIAQ cars making up the vast majority of cars delivered. The offer is complemented by the representative SUPERB. This year, besides our new RAPID model, our growth will also increase thanks to the compact KAROQ SUV. Production started in Nizhny Novgorod at the end of last year, and sales for this model will begin on 14 February. Both of this year’s novelties will contribute to the further growth of the ŠKODA brand on the Russian market. Our ambitions are clear: to achieve a record sales volume and be among the Top 5 most successful brands in Russia. Luděk Vokáč

  
  

  We are aiming for another record

  ŠKODA AUTO’s Russia manager, Jan Procházka, describes the specifics of the local market

  Which milestones were crucial for ŠKODA AUTO’s success in Russia last year?

  We have focused heavily on communicating our brand’s values ​​and our RAPID and OCTAVIA models. Our RAPID became the most successful model with 35,000 units delivered, and by the end of the cycle we were able to increase the delivery of our OCTAVIA to 27,000 units. For example, we succeeded in concluding a contract with the Russian police, which bought 3,900 cars. 

  How are the SUVs doing? 

  Last year, we offered our KODIAQ for the first time throughout the year. We presented it as our first family SUV. This helped us a lot, as the model found itself around 25,000 customers. This year, our KAROQ production in Nizhny Novgorod, which we launched in December 2019, will play a big role. 

  You find success among your dealers and fleet customers as well. How do you approach them?

  In most cases, as an importer, we communicate directly with our fleet customers. We strive to be as transparent as possible, and we communicate intensively with them. If they have an issue, we help to solve it because we know it is our issue as well. By contrast, an ordinary customers will appreciate a loyal and well-built dealership network. The local customers decide quickly, so we have to be ready and have cars in stock. 

  What do you expect from 2020?

  Owing to the innovations in our offering, we are striving for another record. We expect a lot from both the KAROQ model, which will open the door to the next segment, and our new RAPID version. The fourth generation of the OCTAVIA is coming at the end of the year. At the same time, we wish to work hard on people’s awareness of the ŠKODA brand. In that regard, we have a lot to catch up because many Russian customers are still not aware of the quality of ŠKODA cars. Luděk Vokáč
  

• Force program

  force program

  Strong support for India

  Implementing the FORCE Program at the Aurangabad and Pune factories in India

  Our goal: 

  Through efficiency and flexibility towards globalisation

  Our WAY: 

  Simply Clever solutions

  Our motivation: 

  Changing mindset to secure the future

  roduction and Logistics in India will face many big challenges in 2020. The Pune plant is awaiting preparations for the manufacture of four new models, two of which are from ŠKODA, as well as the construction of a new engine shop for the production of 1.0/1.5-litre TSI units in a new emission class for India. The pre-series and series production will be running six different models within the same flow, and the plant is being prepared for three-shift operation to reach its full production capacity of about 190,000 cars a year. Another important task is to ensure an economically efficient and customer-oriented production programme in Aurangabad.
  

  The ŠKODA brand wants to be successful in India, and to this end the FORCE Program is very useful.

  Mojmír Hájek 

  Head of Production and Logistics at SAVWIPL

  “Our vision is to be effective, high-performing, flexible and competitive in India. A strong international team, as well as the FORCE Program, which is a set of sub-tools and projects, helps us to achieve car production with clearly defined procedures. We have acquainted all Indian employees with the programme’s contents, defined each goal and laid out specific steps to make them come true, including control mechanisms. All of this concerns the local characteristics – we have different initial conditions, factory structure and employees, and the market success is influenced by different factors. However, we primarily want to offer our own ideas, discuss the local standards and participate in the production activities of the entire ŠKODA brand”, says Mojmír Hájek, Head of Production and Logistics at SAVWIPL. RED

  Activities in India by action field
  

  FUTURE FACTORY

  The promotion of innovative technologies (digitisation, in particular) will increase production efficiency.
  

  CUSTOMER ORIENTED QUALITY
  

  Together with our colleagues from Quality, we will be implementing 59 ideas with expected savings of EUR 2.4 million a year.
  

  VALUE CREATION

  We want to have an increase on the assembly line of 7 percent per year.

  Products and Capacities

  We have prepared concepts to increase annual production capacities in Pune and to stabilise and expand the vehicle production range and manufacture components and spare parts in Aurangabad.

  Competitive cost structure

  By fully utilising and implementing the local standards, we are gradually reducing our production costs and should meet our goal by 2022. 

  RAMP UP CHALLENGES

  The series production of four new models designed for the Indian market and beyond will start before 2022.
  

  Regionalisation
  

  Three of our Indian colleagues are already being trained within the Power to India programme in Mladá Boleslav, with another 14 joining this year. With the Women on the Shop Floor programme, we want to increase the proportion of women from 1 to 4 percent within five years.

  Green Future Environment

  We have prepared a plan to achieve the CO2 neutrality of the Indian factories from the second half of this decade.
  

• Green Future

  63,000

  square metres of roof area

  25,770

  photovoltaic modules

  12.2 

  million kWh of electricity per year

  9,000 

  tonnes of CO2 emissions saved a year

  Green energy for India

  Pune plant is now equipped with a huge rooftop solar power station

  KODA AUTO wants to be carbon-neutral in India from the second half of this decade. An important step towards this goal is the construction of one of SAVWIPL’s largest rooftop solar power stations. Composed of highly efficient semi-crystalline modules, the installation was put into operation in December in cooperation with energy infrastructure partner Amp Energy. The power station reaches a maximum output of 8.5 megawatt and covers up to 15 percent of the factory’s annual electricity consumption. Photovoltaic panels placed on the roof of the Body Shop compound also reduce the direct radiation of heat from sunlight coming into the shops.
  

  By commissioning the new rooftop solar power station in Pune,

  we’re contributing to permanent sustainable development and

  demonstrating our sense of responsibility.

  “By putting the solar power system into operation at our plant in Pune, we are reinforcing our commitment and making an important contribution to the sustainable ecological future of our company. We plan to implement additional environmentally friendly projects in the future to actively ensure that India contributes to reducing CO2 emissions worldwide”, said Gurpratap Boparai, the CEO of SAVWIPL. In addition to reducing its carbon footprint, the carmaker in India is focusing on sustainable development, the environmentally sound management of resources and efficient cost optimisation. In Pune, for example, it is making efforts so that no future waste from the factory ends up in landfills. RED

  Read article in full version

  Oxygen for a growing city

  First Oxygen Park built in Aurangabad, India

  n 9 December, ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) opened a park near the production plant to help with the natural production of oxygen and to improve air quality. The area is densely planted with over 15,000 trees of suitable local species, such as fig trees, nimtrees and rosewood. When they are fully grown, they will generate 1,950 tonnes of oxygen and process 360 tonnes of CO2 every year. The residents of the fast-growing city will also be using the park for leisure activities, for example to take walks among the trees next to the pavements that are illuminated by solar-powered street lamps. The park also motivates the city’s inhabitants to engage in other similar activities. 

  The project contributes to SAVWIPL’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and improve the environment. Further steps include the recently launched cooperation with an organisation dedicated to protecting India’s coastal mangrove areas. Last year, the carmaker also initiated a programme for local farmers that instructs them in sustainable water and soil management by reviving traditional farming methods. RED
  

• Think digitally

  Get started with Office 365

  A modern application to simplify your teamwork

  T he carmaker will gradually start migrating to a new version of the Microsoft Office suite from 1 February. Experienced users from the IT department will be the first to check the applications’ functionality. Next, regular users will slowly be chipping in. The enhanced software will include all known programmes such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as new services to streamline team communication. The biggest change is the so-called cloud storage for all documents – namely, saving files on an Internet server. You’ll have online access to your data at any time and from any company devices and will be able to share them with your co-workers. You will be notified of your transition to Office 365 in good time. Further instructions can be obtained directly through the application by pressing the F1 key or as part of the ŠKODA Academy training.

  When you upgrade to Office 365, your mailbox capacity will increase hundredfold to 100 GB. OneDrive for Business will also offer you plenty of space to upload up to 1 TB of files, which significantly exceeds the capacity of computer hard drives. You will transfer all your data from the Y drive to storage within six months. The possibility of collaborating with your colleagues on a document in real time will make your everyday work much easier. Documents are automatically saved, and you can load up to a total of 500 versions. They can also be edited offline: Any changes are “smart-merged” as soon as you join online. Documents can be accessed and edited from company and private mobile phones and tablets that are under corporate administration. Office 365 applications will be ready for download from the internal app store. RED
  

  Have a question about Office 365? Write us!
  

  Teamwork

  The new tool called ‘Teams’ can connect you with your co-workers on the project. It also simplifies collaboration between departments. All materials and communication associated with a project are saved in the same place. In this way, the app is also replacing document sending with e-mail attachments and gives you access to personal and team chat and other tools for project management and tracking. The official launch of the Teams tool will take place only after all conditions have been met, and it will be accompanied by an information campaign. 

  Files online

  OneDrive for Business – a storage service for your files – can be accessed through your Web browser. You can also set up syncing with your computer and have access to them via Windows Explorer. Another advantage of saving documents on Web storage is having the ability to recover deleted documents within 90 days.

  Securely and as per GDPR

  With Office 365, you get simple tools for the document classification that is required to keep files in compliance with GDPR. The basic retention period, after which files are automatically deleted, is set to two years after creation, although you can extend it up to four years. If you change or move the documents, the retention period will not be affected, and they will be deleted. The rules for storing files will be discussed in some of the future issues of ŠKODA Mobil.

  @SMART Application

  Smart overviews of occupational injuries and health and safety

  5,344

  In the ePracovní úrazy app, 5,344 documents have been collected over the four years of its existence

  ePracovní úrazy app

  This app offers an overview of occupational injuries and diseases and has been running since January 2016. It is used by all managers who enter minor injuries into the e-book of injuries. In the case of an incapacity for work, the injury record is filled in. Any compensation is then made automatically. When the incapacity for work has ended, the change report becomes available. Everything is approved by default through the EBP (Enterprise Buyer Professional) e-purchasing system. The app is used for registering and archiving and makes it possible to insert attachments, such as photos, from which presentations for training can then be generated automatically. Managers can create books of injuries not only for internal employees but also for apprentices and agency and external workers.

  5 344

  V APLIKACI ePRACOVNÍ ÚRAZY SE ZA ČTYŘI ROKY EXISTENCE NASHROMÁŽDILO 5 344 DOKUMENTŮ

  Zbytková rizika a kategorizace prací app

  Another application is being prepared. It is a register of the risks related to occupational health and safety. It stores an overview of the residual risks for a given OU and the information on the job categorisation under health rules. The application, which is available to office workers, will start running in the first quarter. It will offer an overview of the current residual risks in occupational safety or the decisions and notifications made by the regional public health authority. Gradually, risks for external entities in individual buildings will be added as well. Its biggest benefit will be the ability to store all updated documents in one place.

  Virtual Reality App VRUT 2.0

  On 5 December, the EGV/5 – Virtual Technology team introduced a new version of the VR app at the VRUT 2.0 Day. Over 80 employees attended the presentation in four waves and took an interest in where the development of this method at ŠKODA AUTO is heading. Roman Schubert briefly introduced the software’s history, which dates back to 2007 when development was taking place in cooperation with universities. He went on to describe the creation of the implementation team and the preparations for the innovated version. The innovations in VRUT 2.0 include graphics and user interface, physically based material definitions, Vulkan rendering and the virtual training module. The app could be tried out at three different locations of the event. In addition to various technical solutions, the innovation can also evaluate a car’s appearance in terms of, for example, material reflection or different environmental effects (forest, city etc.). It also interacts with the variable seat and the HTC glasses, which monitor the ART tracking with high accuracy (position location system). It also conducts virtual training with a unique voice synthesiser. After it is modified according to individual needs, the app can also be used by other ŠKODA AUTO departments. RED

  Download books from Odilo

  Apart from a large number of e-learning courses and training videos in eDoc, you also have access to the ODILO digital library service. It is available from company and private computers, as well as mobile devices. The original selection of English e-books and audiobooks has now been expanded to include titles in Czech such as ‘Konec prokrastinace’, ‘Faktomluva’, ‘Elon Musk’, ‘Přednášejte jako na TEDu’ and ‘Designérem vlastního života’. These additions bring the total number of electronic publications in the ŠKODA digital library to 220. RED
  

  You can turn to a book that interests you

  Updates on ŠKODA Space

  Updates on ŠKODA Space

  In December last year, the deadline for shutting down the old Employee Portal and the mobile application iB2E was extended to March 2020. The new version of ŠKODA Space, launched on 8 January, includes a number of updates and improvements. The implementation team is working on other practical features of the portal, which we will inform you of in the future issues of ŠKODA Mobil. RED

  January changes

  Added Search in the Information section with a link to the searched page

  Fixed problem with login expiration after 15 minutes when you had to refresh the page

  Added link to the OU of the searched contact

  Added portlet with an overview of refuelling

  Task list set to display

• Take a break

  TAKE A BREAK
  

  Waste Can Be Tricky

  Test your knowledge of the waste sorting and processing procedures used at ŠKODA AUTO

  Truth or myth? 

  Which of the following statements are false?

  The carmaker’s employees should not discard small household electronics in the green REMA bins. 

  □ True 

  □ False

  Mixed municipal waste from the plant’s canteens and kiosks does not end up in landfills but is used to generate heat and energy.

  □ True 

  □ False

  For practical reasons, the cleaning lady puts all the waste from the office sorting bins in a single bag. She carefully re-sorts it in the cleaning room. 

  □ True 

  □ False

  
  

  No plastic from ŠKODA AUTO ends up in a dump. 

  □ True 

  □ False

  From the plants, one collection truck transports the separated waste without mixing it in the process. 

  □ True 

  □ False

  
  

  Where will they serve next?

  Determine which products the waste from ŠKODA AUTO operations may turn into after their recycling and assign the numbers and letters to each other

  Which type of plastic waste is most intensely used by the carmaker?

  1

  Foils
  

  2

  PET bottles

  3

  Binding straps

  4

  Polystyrene
  

  5

  Discarded plastic pallets

  6

  Plastic inserts 

  7

  Discarded plastic parts

  8

  Plastic plugs for various pipes

  Login to ŠKODA Space to find out more about waste sorting

  RIGHT SOLUTION

  TRUTH OR MYTH? 

  WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ARE FALSE?

  The carmaker’s employees should not discard small household electronics in the green REMA bins. 

  False
  

  Mixed municipal waste from the plant’s canteens and kiosks does not end up in landfills but is used to generate heat and energy.

  True 

  For practical reasons, the cleaning lady puts all the waste from the office sorting bins in a single bag. She carefully re-sorts it in the cleaning room. 

  True 

  No plastic from ŠKODA AUTO ends up in a dump. 

  True 

  
  

  From the plants, one collection truck transports the separated waste without mixing it in the process. 

  True

  WHERE WILL THEY SERVE NEXT?

  DETERMINE WHICH PRODUCTS THE WASTE FROM ŠKODA AUTO OPERATIONS MAY TURN INTO AFTER THEIR RECYCLING AND ASSIGN THE NUMBERS AND LETTERS TO EACH OTHER

  Which type of plastic waste is most intensely used by the carmaker?

  1

  Foils
  

  2

  PET bottles

  3

  Binding straps

  4

  Polystyrene
  

  5

  Discarded plastic pallets

  6

  Plastic inserts 

  7

  Discarded plastic parts

  8

  Plastic plugs for various pipes