03/2020

ŠKODA Mobil - newsletter, March 2020.

• Title

• Flight through the škoda world

  Flight through the ŠKODA World

  EDITORIAL

  Dear readers

  The difficult situation faced by our company, whose day-to-day operations have been fundamentally altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, has affected ŠKODA Mobil as well. The carmaker has temporarily suspended production, numerous events have been cancelled or postponed, and many of our articles, including our cultural service, have lost their topicality. Therefore, we decided to reduce the print version of this current and the next issue to 16 pages. We also significantly reduced the number of copies of our March issue. On the other hand, we are adding other articles to our electronic version, which you can find at www.skodamobil.cz and can read conveniently on your mobile phone (for more information about the new digital version of the newspaper, see page 8). A challenging period with numerous changes awaits us – for example, our celebrations of the 125 years as a carmaker will only take place in the second half of the year instead of the spring. However, we look forward to seeing ŠKODA Mobil bring you unlimited joy and benefits, soon. 
  

  YOUR ŠKODA MOBIL EDITORIAL STAFF

  Collective bargaining

  Tariffs will increase almost by 6 percent

  The ŠKODA AUTO management and KOVO Trade Unions have successfully concluded their bargaining. Both parties agreed on their payroll agenda for the period from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022. Effective from April, the tariffs will increase by 5.7 percent, and one year later, they will increase by CZK 2,000. Our economic result from last year is also reflected in the variable part of the corporate bonus of CZK 80,000. Every employee entitled to receive it will receive this amount together with their April wage. ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited has reported a successful conclusion to its bargaining as well. The agreement guarantees local employees a gradual wage increase of 16,500 Indian rupees (roughly CZK 5,500) over three years, effective from 1 January 2020.

  Student Car

  
  

  Roofless Azubi Car

  The seventh ŠKODA Student Concept Car is based on the SCALA model and gets an open-top Spider body. The project involves 20 apprentices from the ŠKODA vocational school who have already met Head Designer Oliver Stefani. At the workshop, they made first sketches of the car that has no name yet. The public unveiling is scheduled for June.

  As they see us

  Auto TIP (9 March 2020)

  KODIAQ 2.0 TDI 140 kW SCOUT  

  Very reliable and comfortable

  Solid anti-corrosion protection

  Smooth drive already from low RPM

  Noisier engine

  Only average aggregate tightness

  Final grade like at school 

  2+

  Models and Services

  RAPID has Become Younger in China

  Both the compact limousine and practical hatchback of the revised RAPID model series received a more modern look for the Chinese market. The front mask changed, the headlights are lower, and rear lights feature their horizontal arrangement. The interior was improved as well. It is dominated by the new Banma infotainment system with advanced connectivity.

  The fleet of 22 million produced cars was exceeded by SAIC Volkswagen in China in March. The modernised RAPID became the jubilee product.

  RECONSTRUCTION
  

  Nicer and Safer Changing Rooms

  In the C24 and C25 buildings, the first part of the full changing-room refurbishment with a capacity of 290 lockers has been completed. New lockers, air-conditioning and hygiene equipment will increase our employees’ comfort. Moreover, they became the first changing rooms in the whole automobile plant to be accessible only through their MFA card reader; therefore, only the employees of a particular department may access them. The reconstruction of the other section of the changing room with the same capacity is currently under way. The reconstructed changing rooms will be part of the Digital Locker Recording pilot project.

  News from the Group
  

  Stronger Market Position

  The VW Group may be satisfied after evaluating its 2019 financial results. Its revenues increased by more than 7 percent to EUR 252.6 billion. Its operating profit before overhead costs deduction climbed by almost 13 percent to EUR 19.3 billion.

• Coronavirus

  Coronavirus

  ŠKODA AUTO During the Emergency

  Covid-19 Pandemic Leads to Shutdown 

  COVID-19 InfoLine   326 819 696   Mon.–Fri, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. 

  n Wednesday 18 March at 22.00, ŠKODA AUTO suspended its production at plants in Mladá Boleslav, Kvasiny and Vrchlabí for at least two weeks. It happened after agreement with the Volkswagen Group  and the KOVO Trade Union. The carmaker worked closely with its suppliers to suspend production smoothly. Taking into account the current situation, the re-launch is planned for 27 April 2020. ŠKODA production in China has started again, production in India and Russia continues. “With 37,000 employees in the Czech Republic, our responsibility extends far beyond the gates of production plants. We must do everything we can to slow down the spread of the virus”, said Bernhard Maier, ŠKODA AUTO Chairman of the Board of Management. At the beginning of the shutdown from 18 to 29 March this year, all employees will receive 70% of their average earnings, and from 30 March to 5 April 2020 75%. Some employees are present to maintain the continuity of the necessary activities even during the production shutdown. Other colleagues continue at work from home. Rules for mobile work were determined by their superiors in agreement with the relevant member of the Board of Management responsible for the given area.

  ŠKODA AUTO is currently funding the impact of the situation from its own resources. Our main goal is to keep all the employees on board.

  Bernhard Maier

  ŠKODA AUTO Chairman of the Board of Directors

  Health Protection

  All employees currently working at ŠKODA AUTO have protective equipment in the form of disinfectants and disposable masks or respirators. All premises of the company are consistently disinfected. The carmaker has managed to provide sufficient amounts of disinfection for both hands and work surfaces. Disinfection is distributed by the PSZ department. We are currently installing the first dispensers and sprayers, and by the end of March, we will have installed the remaining units, which are on their way from the United States. The health and safety departments are urgently trying to provide additional effective protective equipment, such as 450,000 face masks that are more suitable for work. They will be arriving in three waves.

  ŠKODA AUTO is Helping

  Together with its innovation centre, the ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab, the company provided a fleet of over 100 ŠKODA cars and 150 BeRider electric scooters to medical experts from the ADRA humanitarian organisation, the City of Brno and other organisations to help the needy and distribute medical supplies and food. They may also use a fleet of 150 BeRider electric scooters. Flexible rental of ŠKODA AUTO cars and HoppyGo and Uniqway carsharings is provided by the HoppyGo platform. In addition, ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab has built a station in Prague that disinfects cars with ozone to keep drivers and paramedics safe. Technical Development, in cooperation with the Czech Technical University’s Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC) and the Research and Innovation Centre on Advanced Industrial Production (RICAIP), is developing a respirator suitable for 3D printing. The technology is being tested in Mladá Boleslav, and the goal is to start production as soon as possible.

  Stay Informed

  The carmaker’s coordination team is continuously monitoring and evaluating the situation. Our employees may find the latest information on the ŠKODA Space Portal, which also publishes answers to their questions forwarded to the Covid-19 InfoLine, available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  The information provided in the article was valid at the time of its editorial deadline in the Czech Republic. Our plants in China, India and Russia follow measures based on the Group’s instructions and local governments’ recommendations. RED
  

  COVID-19 InfoLine   326 819 696   Mon.–Fri, 7 a.m.–5 p.m. 
  

  Follow Latest Developments

  All the daily updated information on the carmaker’s measures and your plant’s closure and future opening may be found on the home page of the
  ŠKODA Space Portal (www.skodaspace.cz), which is available to you both at work and at home. You can also find videos on the Vimeo channel (Vimeo.com/showcase/internikomunikace)

  Do Not Be Misinformed

  Get your up-to-date information, practical advice and recommendations from official sources of state authorities and offices. 

  Office of the Government of the Czech Republic: 

  www.vlada.cz

  Ministry of Health:

  koronavirus.mzcr.cz 

  www.mzcr.cz 

  National Institute of Public Health:  

  www.szu.cz 

  Infoline of the National Institute of Public Health: 

  724 810 106

  725 191 367

  Nationwide Information Line:  

  1212

  Write to the Internal Communication

  The extraordinary situation certainly raises a number of questions. If you do not know who to contact, write to interni.komunikace@skoda-auto.cz and specify the subject “Emergency Situation”. The Internal Communications team will try to answer your questions in cooperation with board members and other responsible persons.
  

  SMS Infoservice

  With regard to the infection, ŠKODA AUTO is also sending out important messages to its employees via text messages. Send us your mobile number to this e-mail address: personalistika@skoda-auto.cz. You will get first-hand information!

  
  

• New models

  NEW MODELS
  

  a BRISK ELECTRIC RIDE

  THE CARMAKER HAS JUST LAUNCHED SEVERAL NEW OCTAVIA VERSIONS WITH THE SPORTY RS iV VERSION TAKING THE LEAD
  

  PARAMETERS OF THE OCTAVIA RS iV

  225

  KM/H MAXIMUM SPEED

  400

  NM MAXIMUM TORQUE

  7,3

  SECONDS ACCELERATION FROM 0 TO 100 KM/H
  

  13 

  kWh BATTERY CAPACITY

  60

  KM BATTERY RANGE*

  * This is a preliminary figure

  or the first time ever, ŠKODA has an RS model as a plug-in hybrid version. It has a 1.4 TSI (110 kW) petrol engine, as well as an e-engine of 85 kW, and a total system output of 180 kW. The high-voltage lithium-ion battery allows for a range of up to 60 km in pure electric mode. Thanks to this, the CO2 emissions are only about 30 g/km (data are preliminary only and may change – ed.), and the car already meets the EU6d emission standard, which will be binding from 1 January 2021 for all newly registered vehicles in the EU. You will easily recognise the new sports version by its distinctive design elements. Attention will be drawn to the radiator grille, air curtains, diffusers, side spoilers and the side window mouldings in black. The colour is also prominent in the interior, where designers combine leather with the artificial Alcantara material. The sports seats, with red or silver-grey stitching and aluminium-look pedals, boost the ferocious look. “Thanks to the typical RS features, we have given the dynamic look of the new OCTAVIA a sportier touch”, designer Oliver Stefani says.

  More quiet and more economical

  The hybrid drive is now available not only for the RS sports model but also for the OCTAVIA iV in the Ambition and Style trim levels. Here, the combination of the 1.4 TSI petrol engine and the electric motor provides for a total system output of 150 kW. In these cars, the batteries are located under the luggage floor, and the volume of the petrol tank is only 5 litres less than in the conventional version. The charging connector is located under the cover beneath the front fender cover on the driver’s side, and the car can be easily recharged at home from a standard socket or via a wall box. The OCTAVIA has also become the first ŠKODA car for which customers may choose e-TEC engines with mild hybrid technology. This enables the energy during braking manoeuvres to be recovered and stored in the battery. Afterwards, it is used to support the internal combustion engine with a belt starter-generator, thanks to which torque can be increased by up to 50 Nm, and one can even “sail” with the engine completely switched off. Additionally, the car emits less noise and fewer vibrations during start-up and can save up to 0.4 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. This version will be produced around the middle of this year. RED
  

  A video instead of a car show

  The ŠKODA brand had initially intended to share the news at the Geneva Motor Show, but the Swiss government put a ban on major events as a measure to combat the spread of the coronavirus. As a result, the OCTAVIA RS iV was introduced by Bernhard Maier, the CEO of ŠKODA AUTO, via a streaming video. 

  

  Up for adventure
  

  The novelty relies on an adventurous look where the silver bodywork elements in the form of door mirror and sill covers, roof rack, front spoiler and rear diffuser create eye-catching elements. Full LED rear lights and tinted Sunset side and rear windows are also part of the package. Matt black fender trim covers protrude above the large 17- or 18-inch aluminium wheels. Customers will find interesting elements in the interior as well. 

  THE KAMIQ PRODUCT MODEL RANGE HAS BEEN

  EXPANDED WITH A ROBUST COUTLINE VERSION.

  As a standard package, the decorative trim lines resemble ash wood, but you can also opt for Dark Brushed. The height-adjustable front seats feature a special Scoutline lining made of breathable ThermoFlux fabric and Suedia microfibre. On adventure travels, customers will appreciate the backlight on the central panel, interior handles, on footwells and storage compartments with white, red or orange LED-ambient lighting, as well as reading lamps. The KAMIQ SCOUTLINE comes in the entire colour and engine offer – three petrol engines, one diesel and a G-TEC CNG.The market launch will take place this summer to complement the SUV model’s offer, which customers can also choose in the MONTE CARLO lifestyle version. This version boasts sporty design elements in black, a rich equipment level and a reference to ŠKODA’s successful racing history.
  

• Foremen’s rounds

  Foremen’s Rounds

  Open to the Future

  At this year’s foremen’s meetings, many questions touched on eMobility

  In January and February, discussion meetings of foremen and forewomen with ŠKODA AUTO Board Members took place at the Mladá Boleslav, Kvasiny, and Vrchlabí plants. Guests from the KOVO Trade Union accepted the invitations as well. The company introduced the tradition of having these events three years ago to inform its key direct area workers about current issues affecting the carmaker’s future. This year’s participation confirmed that the number of workers in this field keeps growing. In this context, all the Board Members highlighted how important the foremen and forewomen are for the carmaker and thanked them for their work. “Your position is the first line of leadership. You have a huge impact on the management of our team and employees themselves. Talk to them, discuss the current situation, collect ideas”, said Bohdan Wojnar, the Board Member for Human Resources Management. This year’s meeting started with the results of a survey completed among the electromobility foremen (see the chart for results). The rounds showed that the foremen and forewomen are not indifferent to the ŠKODA brand’s future development. The open discussions, which were mostly moderated by Marek Jancák, Head of PF – Car Production, addressed eMobility issues like recharging infrastructure and battery production and capacities, as well as the possibility of offering hybrid and electric cars to our employees.  

  Dominik Zeyval

  PKM – Component Production

  The foremen’s rounds represent beneficial meetings, and I would like them to be held more frequently during the year. I am glad that I’ve learnt more about ŠKODA AUTO’s visions for the future, as I will further benefit from the foremen’s round topics during my communication with our team. 

  Mladá Boleslav

  Bernhard Maier, Chairman of the Board of Directors, stressed the uniqueness of this year which is related to the celebrations of the 125th anniversary, the OCTAVIA model’s production launch and the presentation of the first purely electric car. “For the automotive industry, 2020 is a breakthrough year, and it simultaneously marks the beginning of a decisive decade in which the transformation from the conventional combustion engine to an electric one will take place. For electrified models, we also need to maintain the high quality typical for the ŠKODA brand”, he said. Dr. Oeljeklaus, Board Member for Production and Logistics, looked back at the last year’s FORCE Program results and informed the audience of the 2020 objectives. The foremen and forewomen were interested in production plans, whether hybrids and electric cars would be offered at the same time, as well as how the carmaker would provide sufficient service and recharging possibilities.

  Václav Kuba

  PFO-L/2 – Paint Shop M17

  I found the meeting beneficial. I was most interested in what would happen next with the carmaker, which new cars and models it was preparing. I also learnt about the status of production at our other plants. Last but not least, I welcomed the opportunity to meet other foremen, which rarely happens.

  
  

  Kvasiny

  The leadership’s opening words were followed by a discussion of the foremen’s questions. They inquired about the models to be produced in Kvasiny and the future of the 18-shift operation. The foremen were also interested in the current number of SUPERB iV model orders and whether increased production is planned for this model. However, not only production topics were discussed. The talks also focused on communication, specifically what language the VW Group will speak in the future. 

  Vrchlabí

  Christian Bleiel, Head of Component Production, highlighted the role of our foremen in the production process. Dr. Oeljeklaus appreciated that everyone had arrived at the meeting, even though the spring break was already in progress. The participants were particularly interested in whether they would also install gearboxes for hybrids at the Vrchlabí plant. They were assured that the plant had guaranteed capacity until 2030, and other products are now under consideration. 

  Survey results in Mladá Boleslav and Kvasiny

  yes

  NO

  Have you had the opportunity to drive an electric car?

  
  

  Would you prefer electric to conventional drive if their prices were comparable?

  
  

  Do you think that ŠKODA AUTO’s electromobility is on the right track?

  
  

• Force program

  force program

  FOR NEXT DECADES

  INTERVIEW WITH MIROSLAV KROUPA, HEAD OF PS – BRAND MANAGEMENT AND FORCE PROGRAM GUARANTOR

  OUR GOAL:

  Trough efficiency towards flexibility for globalisation

  OUR WAY:

  Simply Clever solutions

  OUR MOTIVATION:

  Changing mindset to secure the future

  What do the action fields of the FORCE Program labelled F1 (Future Factory) and F8 (Green Future – Environment) have in common?

  The automotive industry is on the threshold of an entirely new era. Individual mobility represents a challenge that we need to meet. The two fields have strong, future-oriented content that will help us to reach this goal. Although, at first glance, they may seem to contradict each other, only their gradual and mutually balanced connection will ensure the long-term and sustainable development of our company.

  To what extent will the Future Factory affect operations in production plants?

  As far as Industry 4.0 is concerned, it will be essential. Automation and digitisation will make work easier for people and impose higher demands on their vocational training. So we don’t have to worry about work. Just like many times in the past, occupational requirements are going to change, but we’ve always been able to retrain successfully.

  We all perceive how society as a whole is changing its attitude towards the environment. How will automotive production be affected?

  For this reason, the requirements for our products, including their impact on the environment, are also changing. The ŠKODA brand is fully committed to this social responsibility. We’ve already achieved a lot of success on the road to the Green Future. We are fully modernising the design of our products to reduce their carbon footprint. In the Production and Logistics department, we’ve significantly reduced the energy consumption per car by 38 percent and water consumption by 35 percent. Last year, we also reduced CO2 emissions per car by about 62 percent compared with 2010. These joint efforts can be summarised in Our Go to Zero strategy (see the August 2019 issue of ŠKODA Mobil), which is aimed at production and products having zero impact on the environment. RED

  A powerful programme for our digital future

  The action field called Future Factory focuses on establishing new digital tools to help employees become useful, make their daily work easier and, ultimately, increase production efficiency. This year, we are focusing primarily on dProduction projects, the standardisation of data-driven production processes, digital dispatching, online technology connections in the manufacturing of components and the use of artificial intelligence tools in logistics processes. The employees’ adaptation will also play an important role as far as digital transformation is concerned and will be supported by establishing MS Power BI Competence Centres and 3D plastic printing. The Digital Cloud Platform (DPP) represents the Group’s unique solution. It is an industrial cloud platform developed in cooperation with Volkswagen and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

  This project combines data collection and the processing of machine data from equipment and Group plant systems to improve their production processes and significantly increase productivity. By applying these technologies, the VW Group is establishing its industrial cloud as a platform that is open to internal and external workers. In the future, it should be used by all 122 production plants.

  The project also involves the Production and Logistics department, where the first users will include plant managers, planners, machine operators, maintenance managers, logistics foremen, quality and IT executives, developers and suppliers. The Czech carmaker is planning to pilot the project during the autumn in the Vrchlabí plant.

  Fourteen devices from the entire production flow will be connected to the cloud platform to collect the data displayed to production workers in the form of well-arranged graphics on the digital panel. Later on, the carmaker will implement the project at the Mladá Boleslav and Kvasiny plants as well. RED 

  Green Future objectives

  The Green Future – Environment action field aims to minimise the environmental impact throughout the lifecycle of products – from mining resources until the end of their life. 

  The key indicator is the UEP (reducing the environmental impact of production), which involves energy consumption and reducing the CO2 produced by consuming energy, as well as a reduction of the amount of production-related landfill waste, water consumption and volatile organic compounds, in each case per car. We want to improve this indicator by 2025 by 52.5 percent (compared with 2010) in all Czech and Indian plants and are actively working with our Indian colleagues to reduce other negative impacts on the environment. 

  Owing to the warm climate the past few years, sustainable water management is just as important. The lack of water poses a potential risk and could significantly affect production in the future; thus, the eighth action field focuses on saving, recycling and possibly retaining water. 

  A very important objective is to ensure carbon-neutral production at ŠKODA AUTO plants in the Czech Republic. One of the main measures will be the conversion of the ŠKO-ENERGO heating plant from coal burning to 100% biomass.

  In addition to austerity packages and avoiding emissions, the carmaker is also focusing on compensation projects. “We compensate for inevitable carbon dioxide emissions on a global scale by investing in ‘green’ projects such as tree-planting and solar and wind power plant construction projects. Thus, we are trying to solve problems all around the globe”, says Miroslav Kroupa, Head of PS – Brand Management. RED 

• Green Future

  REDUCE WASTE, THERE’S A WATER SHORTAGE

  HOW TO SAVE WATER DURING ORDINARY DAILY OPERATION

  ater consumption in the Czech Republic is increasing year by year. According to data from the Czech Statistical Office, consumption in 2018 reached 133 litres per person per day, while the average in households was 90 litres per person (the infographic gives an overview of the daily consumption in litres). This includes drinking, personal hygiene, washing dishes and laundry, but also watering and washing the car. Households in the capital have the highest levels of consumption. According to information provided by the Prague Water Supply and Sewage Systems company, consumption has reached 107 litres per person/day, which is approximately one-fifth more than in the rest of the country.These are not encouraging figures. We are living in a climate change era, which has manifested itself, as everyone may have noticed in recent years, in an unprecedented drought. In many villages, wells are drying up, and municipal water supply systems are suffering from water shortages. More and more, people are logically interested in the best options to save water.
  

  
  

  TAPS IN THE KITCHEN, BATHROOM AND GARDEN OF A FOUR-PERSON HOUSEHOLD USE 532 LITRES OF WATER PER DAY. ABOUT HALF OF THIS CAN BE SAVED.

  Other types of washing

  Everything starts in the bathroom. If people got used to taking a shower instead of a bath, this would significantly affect their overall consumption – according to initial estimates and practical measurements, we only consume about 30 to 80 litres when showering, while taking a bath requires 100 to 150 litres. It is also good to monitor other habits: For example, many people leave the shower turned on the whole time while they are washing themselves, which is not necessary at all.The same applies to brushing one’s teeth. And those who want to chip in to save more can purchase modern sanitary electronics: According to the Enviweb.cz server, smart measuring devices save dozens of litres a day on flushing, showering and washing one’s hands. In terms of dishes, a dishwasher (10–30 litres) is considerably better than washing dishes by hand (20–40 litres), especially if the water is kept running (30–80 litres). And anyone who is really serious about saving water can use rainwater to water the garden or flush the toilet.

  Washing the car takes up a significant portion of total consumption. If anyone thinks it is better to do so in front of the house, they are mistaken – according to Slate.com, car washing takes up about 300 litres of water, while an automatic carwash requires just 64 litres for its best programme. Wastewater management also adds value to the car wash, whereas on the street, it usually flows into the sewer, and in the garden it seeps into the soil, a carwash equipped with a drain well has the water flowing directly into the sewage treatment plant. Rani TOLIMAT

  World Water Day 

  First proclaimed by the United Nations in 1993, it is celebrated every year on 22 March. On this day, the global community remembers that more than 1 billion people on the planet still suffer from a shortage of drinking water.

  Traditionally, governments and non-profit organisations on all continents have helped to focus on saving water and its purity and protecting it. Each year, the day has a main theme, and this year it is water and climate change.

  LIMITING SINGLE-USE DISHES

  THE AC RESTAURANT HAS LAUNCHED THE ECO-BOX PILOT PROJECT

  f you get your meal from the Aramark restaurant as a take-away, from the beginning of March you may have it packed in an eco-box, which doesn’t end up in the bin but is re-used repeatedly. The pilot project has been testing the new alternative only at the restaurant in the Administration Centre. If it succeeds among our employees, the project will be expanded to other restaurants as well.

  You ask for the box directly at the dispenser and then pay a refundable deposit of CZK 250 at the cash desk. This cash deposit will be reflected in your monthly limit and does not affect the daily limit. Every time you use the box, Aramark will deduct a service charge of CZK 5 to pay for a disposable plastic menu box. You can return this food box at any time after cleaning it. Simply put it in the special basket to get your deposit back. The fee is forfeited only if the box has been damaged. RED

  Packaging advantages

  BPA free – Bisphenol A free, can be washed in a dishwasher or used in microwave

  100% recyclable material

  Interesting design

  Perfectly tight

  Temperature resistance from –20 to +121°C

  Did you know that...

  … at Aramark restaurants, we use 7 tonnes of disposable plastic boxes per year? In order to limit the quantity, we have been testing an alternative to plastic menu boxes since the beginning of March.

• Think digitally

  PAPERLESS SIGNATURES

  NO NEED TO PRINT, SIGN, SCAN AND SEND BACK REQUESTS OR FORMS AFTER COMPLETING THEM

   igning documents with a guaranteed digital signature will now take a fraction of the time it did in the past while still providing a high level of trust. All of this helps to ensure and increase IT security standards and to facilitate work for employees. In cooperation with FI – Information Technology and FL – Legal Affairs, the SVP (SKODA Verbesserungsprozess) team recommends that all internal communication and documentation for which handwritten signatures were previously required now be electronically signed.

  Up to twelve signatures at once

  Thanks to the new app, every internal and external staff member with an MFA card that has a PKI chip will soon be able to use the DigiSignature Web tool. It will be available via ŠKODA Space in the My Apps section. As the name implies, it will facilitate the digital signing of PDF documents. Everything is processed in the form of applications where you can select up to 12 users you need to obtain a signature from. In a single application, you can have five files with an indicated space for the signature. Your application is then sent, and the recipients receive notifications via e-mail and in the ŠKODA Space Task List. If the application contains all the necessary signatures, you will be notified that it has been processed.

  “The advantage of this new app is that it can be used to sign documents classified as Confidential or Secret. Compared with the previous way of signing in Adobe Reader, it works mainly on the basis of automation and extends the option of signing to more people. All you have to do is upload the files and click on the respective colleagues. You also don’t need to forward any e-mail. The system operates with three approval variants: All colleagues have to attach their signature in the app, or the signature of one of them is sufficient, or you may request a specific order of approval”, as Jan Cibulka from the SB/4 – Digitisation and HR System Support explains. The app will be available to all employees and is for internal use only. 

  Going digital already

  Currently, all employees with an activated PKI chip may sign PDF documents by using Adobe Acrobat Reader. You may also come across biometric signature devices (signature plates), e.g. at the IT Point or in the Accounting department.

  Future developments

  The digital signature agenda encompasses several other areas for which the carmaker is gradually preparing. For this reason, expert teams face a number of challenges, for example in the area of employee contracts (biometric signatures) or business contracts with suppliers or external partners (ELO app). Štěpán Vorlíček

  Share your ideas and experiences with us and let us know in which processes ŠKODA AUTO can use the digital signature to downscale document printing to save time and money. Submit your ideas for the Digital Signature challenge by using the IdeaSpace app or contacting SVP experts at SVP@skoda-auto.cz

  POCKET READING

  The online version of ŠKODA Mobil has become even more attractive. Triobo, the digital content publishing tool that we now use, delivers a more userfriendly experience than before. 

  The newspaper layout automatically adapts to the size of the display used, which is why employees can comfortably read their content on their computer screens, tablets and mobile phones. The app makes it possible to transfer the printed newspapers’ eye-catching graphic design to the screen and is a tremendous improvement over the previous format thanks to further multimedia content. In order to properly display ŠKODA Mobil, the latest Triobo app technology requires that updated versions of the Chrome or Mozilla Web browsers be installed. RED

• At a New Address

  At a New Address

  Excellent Opportunity

  The offer of a scholarship at the University of Pardubice, sponsored by ŠKODA Logistics, was a huge opportunity and a turning point in my life. I’m studying Transport Technology and Communication in English at the Jan Perner Faculty of Transport Engineering. I’ve always been interested in this subject. Recently, I completed an internship at the PLA department, which manages the international projects of ŠKODA AUTO Logistics. For the first time, I tried working at such a big international company and have learnt a lot, even about Green Logistics. Now, I wish to complete my bachelor’s and then my master’s degree. I would be thrilled to become a member of the Czech carmaker’s global logistics team after my graduation.

  6,166 

  A young guy from India studies 6,166  km from home thanks to ŠKODA AUTO’s support

  Travelling in the Czech Republic is excellent because, compared with India, the country has a perfectly developed public transport system.

  
  

  Studies in Eastern Bohemia

  Pardubice is a great city for students – quiet and close to everything I need. My field includes not only transport but also mathematics, civil engineering, informatics and other areas, like social, economic and environmental sciences. Modern transport is currently undergoing numerous changes and offers interesting work opportunities for trained professionals.

  
  

  Skiing in the Krkonoše Mountains

  In my free time, I go cycling around Pardubice. Together with some friends of mine, I went on a trip to the Kunětice Mountain. In winter, I also went skiing in the Krkonoše Mountains, and, of course, I visited Prague. I would say it’s one of the most interesting cities in Europe. It has amazing ancient monuments and plenty of other sites worth visiting.

  I Support Voráček

  Last year, I supported the Czech ice hockey players at the World Championship. I really liked Jakub Voráček, who went on to become the most productive player on the team. Otherwise, I don’t know a lot of Czech celebrities.

  
  

  I like the cheerful nature and goodwill of my work colleagues. I find the Czechs generally very decent and respectful of education.

  Sweet Tooth

  I’m a vegetarian, so it’s hard for me to select a meal from the typical Czech cuisine. However, I really like the local sweets, and I fell in love with the “trdelník”.

  
  

  Name Day? What Is That?

  I was taken by surprise by a friend of mine who mentioned his name day once. I found it strange to celebrate one’s name listed on the calendar. We only have birthdays.

• Together4Integrity

  Together4Integrity

  Dealing with unconscious biases

  ŠKODA AUTO held a workshop on diversity and inclusion on 10 March

  D iversity is considered to be one of the engines of business success. People with different opinions generate a variety of solutions that move us forward. During its Diversity Wins @ Volkswagen workshop, the company’s Board of Management focused on ways to promote such an environment of diversity at ŠKODA AUTO. This workshop was led by Elke Heitmüller and Shannon Pereira, the foremost diversity experts in the entire VW Group. They informed the carmaker’s management of the latest trends in these areas and conducted a stimulating discussion on how to work with unconscious biases. It clearly showed that diversity not only includes topics such as the promotion of women, different cultures and national issues but is also a means to realise the potential of every employee, regardless of their individual characteristics. According to Heitmüller, this can be achieved primarily by alleviating so-called unconscious biases that are part of human nature. If we recognise them in time, we will make better decisions. Diversity also requires that our employees feel comfortable at work and are willing to present their views. “A way to promote diversity is to allow employees to openly express their interests and opinions affecting work or the work environment”, said Heitmüller. In addition to openness and psychological well-being, diversity support involves so-called nudge management.

  “These issues should be addressed by the carmaker as a whole. We must work on making it modern and developing according to the sustainability principles. One of them is diversity”, said Bernhard Maier, Chairman of the Board of Management, after the workshop. Promoting corporate diversity and psychological security, which are essential for working with unconscious prejudices, is part of the Group’s TOGETHER 2025 Strategy, and all of our executives will have a similar discussion. Luděk Vokáč
  

  Jana Šrámová

  SB – Operative HR Care, Digitisation, HR 4.0

  An important finding that we agreed on with our management colleagues is that everyone should start with themself when it comes to diversity and inclusion and lead by example as well. We wish to motivate our employees to pay mutual respect to each other.

  Elke Heitmüller

  VW Group

  In our daily work, we should always remind ourselves of unconscious biases and how they work. Let us stop for a moment during our decision making and think deeply about how we make our decision and whether it is based on an unconscious biases.
  

• Risk management

  Risk management

  How to learn from errors

  The other Group brands also have a few things to teach us

  W hen we are trying to understand how mistakes happened, we often keep our eyes open and look for the culprit without actually seeking the root cause of the problem. In these cases, certain assumptions prevail, and there is usually a desire to solve the problem as quickly as possible. This way of solving errors can be prevented by a root cause analysis (RCA). Unlike risk management, this method does not consider future development but examines what has happened and how and why it happened, in order to keep such errors from happening again. “At the same time, the international context allows us to learn from mistakes at other VW Group brands. This will primarily involve sharing conclusions from individual cases, which we will then incorporate into the automotive organisation standards”, says Helena Frostová from GO – Governance, Risk & Compliance. The analysis itself is based on the Method of Five Whys, which means you ask yourself five questions in a row to get to the root cause of the problem (see Method of Five Whys).

  The requirement to carry out an RCA follows an internal audit finding, a suspected serious breach of regulations, a significant financial deviation from planned values, serious damage to the company's reputation or a complaint from the Group Commission. “The analysis will help us to understand whether the causes are directly related to human error or whether it was merely a one-off”, Frostová continues. As each department has the most comprehensive knowledge of its internal processes, the team where the situation occurred will carry out the RCA. “To avoid potential bias or professional blindness, external support can be used”, adds Frostová. RCA has already become part of our internal standards. You can find the respective data in the appendix to the procedural and organisational documentation KRL.0.33, available at ŠKODA Space > Informace > O firmě > Všeobecné informace > Governance, Risk & Compliance (ŠKODA Space > Information > About the company > General information > Governance, Risk & Compliance). In the future, all documents will also appear on the website of the GO department, whose staff is looking forward to answering any questions you may have. RED 

  The method of five whys

  Imagine that on a winter’s morning, an employee slips on the sidewalk and falls. Ask yourself five questions about why this happened to find the real cause.
  

• Together4integrity

  Participants of the Diversity Wins @ Volkswagen workshop

  Among others, Dr. Michael Oeljeklaus was interested in the topic of unconscious biases
  

  The event was attended by the company’s top managers (from left Dr. Michael Oeljeklaus, Bohdan Wojnar, Dr. Quido Haak)

  The meeting took place at the ŠKODA Museum

  The participants enjoyed workshop’s playful form 

  The program was led by diversity experts of VW Group Elke Heitmüller (third from the left) and Shannon Pereira (first from the right)

• Srdcovka

  Karolína  trpí mozkovou obrnou

  Desetiletá Karolína z Třebotova u Prahy

  Aby rodina péči o Lukáše zvládla, musela maminka odejít ze zaměstnání

  Také Pavlík onemocněl mozkovou obrnou

  Pavlíka trápí svalová hypotonie a nemocné oči

  Šestiletý Pavel je plně odkázán na péči rodičů

  Radka limituje vrozené genetické onemocnění

  Radek (na snímku s rodinou) oslavil v říjnu jedenácté narozeniny

• Mistrovské rundy

  The foremen’s rounds at the main production plant took place on 29 January

  Two meetings took place in Kvasiny on 13 February

  A round took place in Vrchlabí on the same day in the presence of the Plant Manager, Dr. Slimák, and the Head of Component Production, Christian Bleiel

• Slevarna

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• Nove modely OCTAVIA

  The radiator grille and diffuser in black are the dominant elements at the front.

  The rear diffuser also draws attention immediately.

  The three-spoke steering wheel is complemented by DSG shift levers.

  The charging connector has been placed in the front fender on the driver’s side.

  The interior combines leather elements with artificial Alcantara material.

  The engine reaches a system power output of 245 hp.

  The special adjustment of the sports chassis provides for dynamic driving.

  

  Svezte se prvním sportovním plug-in hybridem značky!

• Nove modely - KAMIQ

  18-inch aluminum wheels are suitable for most surfaces

  The rear of the car features full-LED tail lights and SunSet tinted windows

• 125let

  Snímek z výstavy motocyklů na pražském Žofíně z roku 1904

  Stavby moderních automobilových stánků zaberou téměř celý měsíc

• 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