05/2023

Škoda Mobil<br>May

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• NEWS

  2024
  

  Production of Škoda vehicles in Vietnam will begin next year. 

  Prime Minister Visits Upcoming Plant in Vietnam
  

  Škoda Auto’s plan to enter the Vietnamese market has garnered support at the highest level of government, as evidenced by Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s visit to the Czech brand’s new car production plant in Quang Ninh province. In addition to representatives of the carmaker, including Martin Jahn, Board Member for Sales and Marketing, as well as local partner company Thanh Cong Motor Vietnam (TC Motor), the Czech Prime Minister also met with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The assembly of Slavia and Kushaq models from completely knocked-down (CKD) kits imported from India is expected to start in 2024, with the first Škoda cars imported from Europe scheduled for delivery as early as June this year. Vietnam serves as the automaker’s gateway to Southeast Asia, as it recently took over the strategic management of the VW Group’s high-volume brands in the region.
  

  Škoda Auto World
  

  Change in management of 42 Prague
  

  On 1 April, Peter Podprocký became the new director of the independent training institute founded by Škoda Auto. He previously worked in the SP – Human Resources Planning unit and held a managerial position at 42 Prague. The former director, Daria Hvíždalová, has been appointed to the board of directors. In addition, the institute will offer students the opportunity to obtain professional certificates like Designer and Developer of IT Solutions or Expert in IT Architecture.   

  Support for bike races 

  This year, the Czech carmaker is partnering with the Kolo pro život and Prima Cup cycling series, which started in April. At individual races, Škoda Original Accessories and cars with a focus on cycling will be presented. However, the Škoda brand will also be visible at other events. On Saturday, 27 May, Škoda Auto will support the Tour de Feminin women’s stage race, and on 10 June, the car brand will appear at the L’Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France cycling race. 

  Already 1,000 e-acceptances

  The project to digitise the process of taking delivery of machinery and equipment via the @SMART App has reached a significant milestone, having exceeded 1,000 created e-acceptances. The system went live in August 2020 and initially operated in parallel with paper acceptance. However, since last January, it has completely replaced paper-based acceptance. Currently, there are 1,300 registered users, estimated savings exceed EUR 260,000 per year.

  Transformation of the hospital in Rychnov 

  The laying of the foundation stone for the new Emergency Reception Pavilion on 12 April marked the start of an extensive modernisation of the Rychnov nad Kněžnou hospital complex. The construction is being carried out based on a Memorandum of Cooperation for the development of the Solnice–Kvasiny industrial zone and the surrounding region, which was signed by the Government of the Czech Republic, the Hradec Králové Region and Škoda Auto. The carmaker has been supporting the hospital for the past five years, and Miloš Halbich, Head of PFK – Kvasiny Car Production, was in attendance at the ceremony.

  Police dogs in New Zealand are now being transported by specially modified Škoda Superb cars. Police will commission up to 90 of them in the next 12 months, including 20 by the end of June this year. 

  The Škoda Slavia family sedan and its sister model, the Volkswagen Virtus, which are produced in India for the local market, have proven to be extremely safe. In Global NCAP tests, they achieved highest ever rating, earning five stars for adult and child occupant protection.
  

  Quotation of the month

  As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Skoda Academy, we are outlining our vision for future education and continuing our transformation activities. The Škoda Academy will make a significant contribution to the successful future of our company and our regions. 

  Maren Kabowski 

  Head of SE – Škoda Academy

  Christian Schenk will be replaced by Holger Peters
  

  Holger Peters will assume the position of Board Member for Finance and IT starting 1 June. Christian Schenk, who previously held this position, will take on new responsibilities within the VW Group. Peters has been working for Porsche for more than 26 years and is currently the General Commissioner of Volkswagen Bank and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Europcar Mobility Group, whose acquisition he led for the VW Group last year. He will continue in this position alongside his new role. 

  Powerpass Map in infotainment
  

  Drivers of Enyaq iVs equipped with ME3.0 or later can use a new app free of charge, providing them with up-to-date information on nearby charging stations, including their immediate availability, directly on the car’s display. The map shows available charging points both within and outside the Powerpass network, which comprises more than 500,000 charging points across Europe. Users can rate charging points and post comments as well. 

  For the third time, Škoda Auto has joined the #Project1Hour initiative. Employees of the VW Group and the dealer network, more than one million people in total, were able to take part. Read more about the event in the next Škoda Mobil.

  
  

  How they see us 

  Svět motorů
  

  Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 147 kW
  

  In a comparison test, the SUV stalwart on the Czech market was outperformed by the new Nissan X-Trail.   

  17 April 2023 

  Better driving characteristics 

  More spacious cabin 

  Large boot space 

  Soundproofing and dynamics at higher speeds 

  Consumption in the city 

  Engine refinement 

  Older multimedia environment 

   On the net 

  
  

  Project #UpCycling 

  As part of the #UpCycling project, Škoda Auto has partnered with the non-profit organisation Dorka in Slovakia. The organisation’s clients sew functional bags in an occupational therapy workshop using advertising banners, flags, tents, gates and bags. The resulting products will also be used at bike races and car events, where the original materials previously served as advertising media. Martin Jahn, Board Member for Sales and Marketing, described the project on his LinkedIn profile, where you can view more photos. 
  

  News

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  Topic
  

  Let’s explore: The Great Model Offensive 

  Škoda Auto has unveiled the development of its most extensive model ranges to date. In addition to six new or upgraded electric models, there will also be cars with fuel-efficient combustion engines. 

  The carmaker plans to accelerate its offensive and transformation efforts in the field of electromobility. By 2026, Škoda will launch four all-new electric models, as well as upgraded versions of the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé, offering the most diverse model portfolio in Škoda Auto’s history. Moreover, the range of electric models will be significantly diversified, including a small SUV (working title “Small”), the officially named compact SUV, Elroq, a spacious model (“Combi”) and a seven-seater SUV (“Space”). These will be accompanied by new generations of the Superb and Kodiaq, as well as the modernised Octavia, Kamiq and Scala. “With six new fully electric models in all segments by 2026, Skoda Auto is moving even faster towards sustainable individual electromobility,” said Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO. 

  We will provide our customers with the resources they need through products that enable them to explore the world sustainably, with style, safety and a sense of security.  

  Martin Jahn 

  Board Member for Sales and Marketing 

  Enyaq iV under EUR 40,000 

  The brand’s first all-electric SUV will have an even more affordable version, the Enyaq iV 50, with a base price of less than EUR 40,000. It will be powered by a 109 kW electric motor on the rear axle and a battery with a usable capacity of 52 kWh, allowing a range of up to 365 km in WLTP mode. The Enyaq iV 50 will be available in several European markets, including Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Furthermore, Škoda Auto will provide attractive customer offers, such as discounted financing, to promote electromobility in various other markets. 

  Future models 

  2023 

  Enyaq Laurin & Klement 

  Exclusive version of the electric flagship 

  Kamiq 

  Upgraded model 

  Scala 

  Upgraded model 

  Kodiaq 

  New generation 

  Superb, Superb Combi 

  New generation 

  2024 

  Octavia 

  Upgraded model 

  “Compact” 

  An electric SUV officially named Elroq 

  2025 

  Enyaq, Enyaq Coupé 

  Electric flagship with revised design 

  “Small” 

  The smallest and most affordable electric vehicle 

  2026 

  “Combi” 

  Electric car with estate body 

  “Space” 

  Electric seven-seater family car

  
  

  
  

• Topic

  Topic

  News with internal combustion engines 

  Škoda Auto is leveraging its expertise to optimise combustion engines and enhance their efficiency. The portfolio will undergo significant modernisation in this area as well. 

  Internal combustion engines will continue to be very important to the Škoda brand during the transition period and will play a key role in providing individual mobility across all markets as the adoption of electromobility occurs at different speeds. Škoda Auto’s engineers are using their extensive know-how to design internal combustion engines that are increasingly fuel-efficient, and the carmaker is taking responsibility for the development of the entire EA 211 engine range within the VW Group (read more in the March 2023 issue of Škoda Mobil).

  Five innovations 

  Customers can look forward to two significant premieres this autumn. The fourth generation of Škoda’s flagship model, the Superb, will be unveiled in liftback and estate versions, as well as the second generation of the top-of-the-range Kodiaq SUV. Both models will be available with the latest petrol and diesel engines, as well as plug-in and mild hybrid versions. They will feature a new exterior, improved technology and a completely modernised interior. Before that, the Kamiq and Scala will receive upgrades in the summer, underlining the carmaker’s focus on affordable individual mobility for a wide range of customers. This will be followed early next year by a refresh of the Octavia.

• Topic

  Topic

  Strong, authentic and robust
  

  Future pure electric models will embody modern simplicity, exceptional practicality and honest Modern Solid design, as envisioned by Oliver Stefani, Head of ED – Škoda Design. The design re-interprets traditional Škoda elements while boldly breaking new ground. The Vision 7S concept, which was presented last August, provided a first glimpse of the new design language. 

  The cars’ aerodynamic features are emphasised to optimise fuel efficiency and increase range. The interior design is minimalist and spacious and evokes a sense of durability and safety while offering excellent functionality and intuitive controls. 

  The Vision 7S concept has already greatly simplified the menu structure for vehicle functions and infotainment. A central, free-standing touchscreen and six buttons that provide direct access to specific menus create an ideal balance between physical and digital control. Three large rotary dials are located below the direct access buttons on the centre console, and the redesigned steering wheel features the new Skoda lettering in the centre. 

• Topic

  Topic
  

  The near future is electric

  Actor Ondřej Vetchý has been chosen as the new face of Škoda Auto to raise awareness of electromobility. He is also part of a communication campaign regarding the change in corporate identity. 

  

  In the automaker’s new campaign, O. Vetchý promotes a sustainable lifestyle to preserve the planet for future generations, as well as electromobility, and helps to raise awareness of its benefits in the Czech Republic. “We live in a time of great change. Not all of these changes can be dealt with without help, but there are already solutions for electromobility. It is absolutely crucial for me that it is part of reducing emissions in transport. The immediate future of mobility is simply electric,” says O. Vetchý in the campaign, which was launched on 11 April on social media and other online platforms. 

  There are several ways for humanity to help the planet, and electromobility is one of them. Let’s see it as a glimmer of hope for our future. 

  Ondřej Vetchý

  Actor and face of Škoda

  New corporate identity 

  Škoda Auto announced a change in its corporate identity last year, which includes an updated logo and new corporate colours. In recent months, the company has started implementing the new features by updating its website, advertising media and even Škoda Mobil. The changes were launched on the Czech market on 3 April. The entire corporate identity is characterised by ecology, sustainability, electromobility and digitisation, and Vetchý will also help to communicate this. “Ondřej is a strong and charismatic personality with strong values that can inspire and excite his fans and the public. We share similar values, so joining together to promote the electric future makes perfect sense. We also want to inspire our customers to explore and be more courageous in embarking on unusual journeys towards new experiences,” says Libor Šedivák, Head of VTM – Marketing CZ. 

  Considerate of nature and the planet 

  In addition to accelerating the transition to electromobility, Škoda Auto is also focused on increasing sustainability in vehicle production and supply chains, as highlighted at the Let’s Explore event. How does this approach manifest itself in concrete terms? 

  Recycled raw materials in vehicles 

  Today, 13 kg of recycled plastics from old battery and bumper casings are used to make the chassis covers for cars like the Enyaq iV, and the use of such materials is set to increase, as the Vision 7S concept suggests. 

  Zero net emissions 

  By 2030, Škoda Auto aims to achieve 100% CO2-neutral production at all Czech plants, which has already been achieved at the Vrchlabí plant.  

  Solar energy 

  In cooperation with ČEZ, Škoda Auto will commission one of the largest rooftop photovoltaic systems in the Czech Republic at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav. Nearly 6,000 solar modules will produce more than 2.2 GWh of electricity annually. 

  Careful use of resources 

  Compared with 2010, Škoda Auto has reduced its environmental impact by more than 43% on average, including energy and water consumption, CO2 emissions, waste production and emissions of volatile organic compounds. 

  Second life for batteries 

  Used batteries from Škoda iVs are repurposed in stationary energy storage facilities for recharging stations. 

• Force Program

  Force Program
  

  Impact on Society as a Whole

  The Force Program’s F7 – Regionalisation and F8 – Green Future action fields address society-wide issues. F7 focuses on the role of women in management, while F8 examines the circular economy in the lifecycle of a car.

  Women managers
  

  A representation of women managers and their representation in Production and Logistics is a central theme of the F7 action field this year, as this area has partially joined the company-wide efforts to increase the proportion of women in management. Currently, only 16% of women hold senior positions throughout Škoda Auto, a figure that the carmaker hopes to increase to 25% by 2030. The Production and Logistics area is concerned with the proportion of women in management in all regions where it has production plants. Last December, it recorded 24 women in management, and this year the number has increased by one so far, but the aim is to increase the number of women in management positions by the end of the year. ”Promoting workplace diversity is important because it offers everyone an equal opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of individual differences such as nationality, gender, age, religious denomination or work experience,” says David Strnad, Head of PL – Brand Logistics. 

  Miroslava Ulmanová

  F7 Action Field Guarantor
  PLC-A – Foreign Logistics Projects
  

  As a manager, I can get my priorities straight. I have learned to be more efficient. While I may have less free time, the time I do spend with my children and partner is more intense.

  Women’s Day

  The F7 action field aims to dispel the many prejudices surrounding the employment of women in production department management. Many women ask questions like, “Can I find a job after my maternity leave when I have three young children?” or “Will I be able to balance family and work life?” Work is also associated with numerous clichés, including that it is not suitable for women, has hostile male team members, does not provide enough time for the family, requires working from dawn to dusk etc. To refute these stereotypes, the Production and Logistics area prepared a presentation for the Women’s Day meeting in March (see picture). The presentation showed the stories of several female managers for each of the myths and prejudices. In them, they described the advantages of their work, thus debunking established clichés. You can read about them in the cameo by Miroslava Ulmanová, the topic guarantor.

  Circular economy
  

  An important aspect of the F8 action field is the circular economy, which encompasses the entire process from development, purchasing and production to the delivery of cars to customers. The aim is to keep materials in circulation for as long as possible at the highest possible quality, promoting both raw material security and material self-sufficiency. “In the Production and Logistics area, the focus is on adhering to waste management principles, which involve preventing waste or recovering it as material or energy resources. This is a philosophy of turning waste into resources, with the ideal situation being the re-use of materials in closed cycles,” says Jiří Podlipný, coordinator of PSU/1 – Environmental Protection. The department is looking for opportunities to close material cycles. It is already possible to extend the life cycles of process substances, for example by filtering oils. In addition, the cycle of waste paint thinner from the Paint Shop has been successfully closed, as it is used by the cleaning company to clean the plant after reprocessing. Another example is the use of emptied IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers), which are reprocessed after cleaning before being marketed as packaging. “However, all these measures must comply with strict legislative requirements,” adds Jana Turková, an environmental protection specialist and waste manager from the same department.

  Production waste in 2022
  

  159,240 tonnes in total

  94% material recovery 

  6% energy recovery 

  0% landfilling

  Zero waste

  In 2020, thanks to strict adherence to the waste hierarchy, no production waste from plants in the Czech Republic was sent to landfills. The plants in India are close to achieving this status as well. “Waste recovery is an essential requirement for waste buyers in the tendering process. In the Czech Republic, landfilling waste is often cheaper than recovery. Nevertheless, Škoda Auto’s management supports waste recovery, even at higher costs,” emphasises Podlipný.

  Circular waste scanning

  In collaboration with the CYRKL resource platform company, Škoda Auto conducted a circular waste scan to identify waste streams. The carmaker identified five, including plastic packaging, discarded plastic parts, aluminium chips, blasting material and antifreeze and brake fluids. Material uses have already been found for these waste streams with potential applications in building technology.

• GreenFuture

  Green Future
  

  Journey to the Plate

  Seasonal ingredients from farmers

  From mid-May in Škoda Auto restaurants, Aramark will offer dishes made from freshly harvested produce grown by Czech farmers for the third time in a row. Aramark’s chefs have developed more than 120 recipes that incorporate seasonal ingredients. Fresh, local and seasonal food benefits people’s health and the planet as it contains more vitamins, tastes better and does not need to be imported from halfway around the world or frozen, thereby reducing the carbon footprint by up to 30%. The Journey to the Plate project includes only Czech pork and beef, as well as venison from the Šumava region. Aramark has processed 2,194 kg of fallow deer meat or 1,362 kg of deer meat, for example. Last year, Škoda Auto restaurants offered 6,518 kg of cauliflower from South Moravia, 3,881 kg of cabbage, 2,922 kg of white cabbage, 4,071 pieces of kohlrabi, 2,627 kg of pumpkin and 1,288 kg of green peppers. The Journey to the Plate project also has a web portal that contains lots of interesting pieces of information, as well as recipes and videos.

  The campaign will introduce the relationship between food and ecology 

  Choosing locally sourced seasonal ingredients is one way of moving towards a sustainable lifestyle. Sustainability has been a natural part of Aramark’s business for years. Through the Journey to the Plate project, guests can learn about the origin of food, its health benefits and its impact on the environment. Just like last year, the ECO campaign will take place in Škoda Auto restaurants this year, along with a competition to win practical KeepCup mugs. Last year’s campaign focused on topics like carbon footprint, disposable packaging, meat consumption and water. You can also get involved in this year’s campaign by following the visuals in restaurants, the Škoda Space portal or Aramark’s online menu.

  Info
  

  Why eat seasonally

  It is natural – our ancestors used to eat this way.

  You will be healthier – fruits and vegetables contain a range of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

  You will enjoy the taste – you eat food that was just harvested.

  You protect the planet – produce does not travel halfway around the world.

  You save money – you buy food as it grows.

  You support local businesses – local agriculture, farmers, growers and ranchers.

• Green Future / GreenWeek

  Green Future
  

  The Inverted Container

  Last September, Škoda Auto invited its employees to take part in a company-wide GreenWeek event. As part of this event, an educational project called “The Inverted Container” was conducted to analyse the waste management practices of Rychnov nad Kněžnou residents. The experiment was created in collaboration between the carmaker, the Environmental Department of the Rychnov nad Kněžnou municipality and EKO-KOM, and it involved the participation of students from the F. M. Pelcl Gymnasium and the Secondary School of Industry in Rychnov nad Kněžnou.

  How it went 

  In the housing estate in Rychnov nad Kněžnou, 60 students and several experts emptied a container with 800 litres of mixed waste and sorted it into the appropriate categories. Although mixed municipal waste was the most common type found, it was discovered that the city could have saved a significant amount of money if the residents of the housing estate had sorted their waste properly. The city typically pays approximately CZK 304 for the container whose waste was analysed. However, if the container only had the waste it was supposed to, the cost would have been just CZK 129, resulting in savings of up to 58% for its collection and disposal. By implementing proper waste sorting practices, Rychnov nad Kněžnou could save more than CZK 2 million per year, instead of the current CZK 3.5 million spent on waste collection and disposal.

  The Inverted Container event will also take place this September in Mladá Boleslav.

• Training 

  Training 
  

  Degreed Changes the World of Education

  Škoda Academy Your Learnings, the digital learning ecosystem for all Škoda employees, is gradually bringing together all available learning content in one place. Its latest addition is the Degreed platform.

  Degreed offers a range of digital educational content, including online courses in both video and e-book formats. An intelligent algorithm uses guided schedules and learning paths to direct employees to relevant information and tailor their learning to match their individual interests, roles and skills. “To deliver quality products, employees need the right skills. Therefore, skills transparency is an undeniable strength of the new ecosystem from the company’s perspective. Learning, qualification and retraining are key to a successful transformation and are, therefore, key components of a company-wide strategy,” explains Jan Cramer, Head of SEA – Professional Training.

  We are committed to creating a unified digital learning ecosystem using the Degreed platform, which we are currently launching. Our focus is on empowering employees and offering them flexibility and the opportunity to retrain or upskill in a personalised, playful and structured way.

  Maren Gräf

  Board Member for People & Culture

  Personalised course offers

  By gradually creating a unified training system for all employees, personalised training offers that match the skill profile of each employee will be brought together in one place. “Making the Degreed platform available is the first step in a completely new approach to upskilling at Škoda Auto. Any employee with a work e-mail can already log into the system at eu.degreed.com and we’re preparing a solution for direct staff for 2024,” says Ondřej Tichý, Degreed Product Owner from the SEA department.

  Educational tools

  Degreed is a learning platform that can dynamically respond to current topics and the requirements of individual areas. It offers employees easy and quick access to a wide range of other digital learning platforms, including those with content requiring a fee-based licence for the average user. Two of these platforms, LinkedIn Learning and Digiskills, are already included in the basic package and available immediately after registration. 

  LinkedIn Learning provides more than 16,700 learning materials for developing digital skills in the automotive industry. The topics covered include artificial intelligence, computer science and IT, 3D visualisation methods, human–computer interaction, cybersecurity and data science, as well as leadership and project management, social perception and persuasion and consulting techniques.

  Digiskills offers a series of microlearning courses on using office tools such as Office 365, which include practical examples and tips. These courses are complemented by short videos, infographics and other materials covering topics such as digital productivity, security and privacy, trends and innovations and, above all, the world of Office 365. The Škoda Academy Your Learnings digital learning ecosystem can be found here.

  Info
  

  The new Degreed platform offers a range of benefits, including being available around the clock, which allows for great flexibility in scheduling your studies: Learning happens when it suits you and when you actually need it. It also enables the easy sharing of knowledge in groups, particularly among experts. In addition, its structured staff development system makes scaling individual skills and competencies very straightforward. The learning experience uses multimedia elements and includes a wide range of digital learning programmes and content that continues to grow every day. Last but not least, Degreed offers specialised retraining and development programmes tailored to specific areas, such as Technical Development, as well as narrower focus areas like IT or batteries. The feature that recommends further training content to employees based on their individual skill profile is also worth mentioning.

• Anniversary

  Anniversary
  

  Touch the Transformation

  Škoda Academy celebrated its 10th anniversary in style. It outlined to visitors what education of the future will look like. 

  Do you know what 3D printing has to do with corn? The answer to that very question was just one item on a long list of new insights and experiences that the Škoda Academy anniversary celebrations brought. 

  Boom! Cannon blast. But don’t worry, it’s just firefighters demonstrating what it looks like when the airbags go off. The Škoda Academy entrance hall is bustling with students from the Škoda Auto Vocational School (SOUs) and employees of the car company. It’s Wednesday morning in the last week of April, and everyone is in high spirits and full of anticipation. The Škoda Academy is celebrating its 10th anniversary and has prepared a very busy programme with one attraction after another. For the students and staff who came to see it, the events showcases the environment in which pupils and adults are educated and what the education of the future will look like, all under one roof.
  

  The transformation from a classic carmaker to a provider of sustainable mobility is the most radical, comprehensive and profound change to date! In this context, lifelong learning and the empowerment of employees are clear investments in the future. For this reason, we have firmly anchored “People Empowerment” in our Next Level – Škoda Strategy 2030.

  Maren Gräf 

  Board Member for People & Culture

  Edu and Tech Snack

  In the car park in front of the building, Azubi cars or the Fabia RS Rally2 competition special are on display. In addition, the fire brigade provides an airbag demonstration and shows on a student volunteer how to rescue a person from a crashed car.  

  Inside the building, Edu Snack workshops are held on engaging topics. One of the Czech Republic’s leading AI experts explains what is coming soon and debates whether we should be worried about our jobs (we shouldn’t). Other workshops focus on how a well-adjusted feedback culture encourages collaboration and communication, the future of corporate learning using the Degreed platform. 
  

  Other topics include the Innotoolbox program or how to find the courage to make mistakes. Visitors also get a closer look at the 3D printer and learn how this technology is useful, for example, in prototyping, and can also see demonstrations of modern technologies in industrial and consumer electronics and IT. During another seminar, participants can make a yo-yo on a CNC machine or discover some interesting aspects of professional coaching and the future of electromobility.   

  Student participation

  SOUs students also contribute to the programme by offering virtual cycling to Wolfsburg or testing the guests’ manual skills. On every floor of the school, pupils are ready with interesting activities such as logistics games, newspaper making, a competition, a chess olympics or the creation of family trees. The painters offer face painting, while other students show what a car looks like in cross-section, deal with active and passive safety and demonstrate how to use a defibrillator. And seeing the guests swaying can mean only one thing: The school band is leaning into guitar riffs on the patio. 

  Signing the memorandum

  The day continues with a transformation tour for journalists, Board members, VW Group representatives and other partners of the Škoda Academy. The highlight of the two-hour programme in the school’s auditorium is the signing of a memorandum. Klaus Zellmer, CEO, Maren Gräf, Board Member for People & Culture, Maren Kabowski, Head of SE - Škoda Academy, and Jaroslav Povšík, Chairman of the KOVO Trade Union, commit themselves to the development and support of the Škoda Academy. In addition, a birthday cake or small surprise awaits the attendees: a preview video showing the shape of this year’s Azubi Car (see Ninth student car).

  Ninth student car 

  This year, a team of 29 students is building a multifunctional concept car based on the Enyaq iV electric SUV, which is adapted for camping and can also be used as a mobile office. Their dream car meets the needs and expectations of modern digital nomads, fitting perfectly with the new Explore More concept. The students drew up the first design sketches with the support of the Škoda Design team.

  Best young car repairers

  The 28th edition of the national Auto Repairer Junior 2023 competition culminated in mid-April at the premises of Škoda Auto and Porsche Czech Republic. The best pupils from secondary schools teaching automotive industry made it to the finals in four categories: Automechanic, Bodyworker, Car Painter and Autotronik. Students of Mladá Boleslav SOUs were ranked on excellent places. Kacper Jaszcur won first place in the category Car Painter, and Vladimír Pavlíček secured second place in the category Bodyworker. 

  Škoda Academy then and now 

  The history of vocational education at Škoda Auto began in 1927, when the vocational school in Mladá Boleslav opened its doors. Another milestone was reached in 2013, when the education of employees and students was combined under the Škoda Academy, which was established as part of the VW Group’s education strategy. An important step was taken in 2014 with the signing of the first memorandum between Škoda Auto and the KOVO Trade Union. In the memorandum, they agreed that education must be one of the pillars of a company-wide strategy, especially in a rapidly changing society that focuses on digitisation and future technologies. At that time, the Škoda Academy joined the Erasmus+ project, and students started creating the first Azubi Car CitiJet at SOUs.

  A strong learning community 

  Today, the SOUs is an integral part of the Škoda Academy. This is where some 820 future automotive specialists are being trained for their future careers in 15 disciplines, with just under 100 of them being girls. In addition to students, the Škoda Academy also trains employees. Since its inception, it has built an exceptional learning community that enables quick and purposeful responses to the specific needs of the automotive industry. For example, in the field of electromobility, it has upskilled more than 23,000 employees, preparing them for the demands of electromobility and securing them jobs. 

  Future plans 

  The carmaker is committed to investing heavily in the training and development of its employees to enable them to successfully manage the transition to electromobility and digitisation.

  Info
  

  Areas of training supported by the memorandum 

  Škoda Auto Vocational School 

  New technologies and equipment  

  Employee skills 

  New professional topics (e.g. Top Experts, Skill Management)  

  Educational ecosystem 

  Degreed platform license, establishment of “shops”  

  42 Prague 

  Improving software and coding skills at a high level 

  Qualification for transformation  

  Development of the Škoda Academy, investment in new training methods, re- & upskilling for employees

• Srdcovka

  Fans from Down Under

  For almost forty years, a community of enthusiasts in Australia has fallen under the spell of Czech cars.

  The story of Australia‘s Škoda community began in 1984, when John Kruger was deciding what new car to buy. His eye fell on a Škoda 120 L, that immediately won his heart and became a full member of his household. He enjoyed driving it everywhere, so that people could admire his ‚unusual‘ car from the heart of Europe. That same year he met other fans of Czech cars on his travels and the Škoda and Tatra Register of Australia was formed. Its members celebrated the achievement in a remarkable way. With a convoy of their motorised darlings, consisting of, among others, a 1963 Škoda Octavia, a one-year younger Octavia Combi, a Škoda 110 L and 120 L including a version with modified steering for a wheelchair-bound Member they set off on an adventurous journey from Melbourne on the country‘s south-east coast to the town of Birdsville in the deep interior and back. They made most of the journey on unpaved roads, including the famous Birdsville Track, enjoying boundless romance and adventure. Despite a punctured tank, a broken windshield, cracked engine mounts, and other technical problems caused by the desert terrain, they arrived happily at their destination and safely back home again. Jan Beňa, who even worked at Škoda Auto‘s parent plant before emigrating, also took part in the expedition, driving all the way across the Nullarbor Plain from Perth, Western Australia – two thirds of the way with a plastic windscreen, the glass having been shattered by a flying stone, kicked up by a passing truck.

  The Australian enthusiasts share a love of cars and have made many journeys together across the smallest continent.

  Since then, they have been joined by other members who share their love of Škoda cars and have made many trips together across the smallest continent. Today, like their beloved cars, the „tooth of time“ has taken its toll on them, and they no longer embark on similar adventures. However, they do meet regularly, and this year‘s reunion brought 21 members with all generations of Czech cars. There were vintage cars from the 1961 Felicia to the latest Fabia. Thanks to John Kruger, there is a strong community in Australia that lives the Škoda brand. Among other things, the society publishes The Winged Arrow magazine three times a year, maps the brand‘s activities and organises various social events.

  Birdsville Track
  

  This is one of the most famous motoring tracks in the Australian outback. It runs 520 km from the South Australian desert settlement of Marree north to Birdsville in Queensland, through a remote and inhospitable desert landscape.
  

  
  

  Story
  

• Best Digital Copy Award – fotogalerie

  První místo v Best Digital Copy Awards získalo řešení Optimalizace vytížení LKW pomocí AI.

  Druhou příčku si odneslo opatření Automatický sběr dat v DASOP.

  Na třetím místě se umístilo rozšíření chatbotu IVA o žádost o přístup k logistickým koncernovým aplikacím. 

• Tema – fotogalerie

  The Let's explore event, where Škoda Auto presented its future to journalists, took place in the Bezděčín design hall on the outskirts of Mladá Boleslav.

  
  

  The main stars of the Let’s explore programme were the life-size models of future Škoda electric cars. 

  Martin Jahn, Board Member for Sales and Marketing, also discussed the direction of the Škoda brand with journalists. 

  
  

  Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO, and Oliver Stefani, Head of ED – Škoda Design, outlined the future development of the Škoda model lines.

  
  

  All of the new models presented are already based on the new Modern Solid design language. 

  
  

  Representatives of the car company met with guests there. From left: Johannes Neft (Board Member for Technical Development), Oliver Stefani (Head of ED - Škoda Design), Ariane Kilian (Head of GK - Communications), Klaus Zellmer (CEO) and Martin Jahn (Board Member for Sales and Marketing).

  
  

  Johannes Neft, Board Member for Technical Development, was also available to the journalists. 

  
  

• VZOR – fotogalerie

  Studie VISION 7S představuje sedmimístné elektrické SUV s řadou neotřelých řešení.

  V říjnu vyrazil částečně funkční model vozu nejprve do Anglie, k vidění byl v Londýně u Tower Bridge a následně si ho na vlastní kůži vyzkoušeli novináři v Peterborough.

  Následovala také novinářská prezentace studie ve španělském přímořském letovisku Marbella.

  Kola mají průměr 22" a aerodynamické ráfky jsou téměř zcela uzavřené.

  Studie vozu VISION 7S zaujme jak celkovým vzhledem, tak řadou netradičních detailů.

  Interiéru dominuje velká otočná obrazovka s úhlopříčkou 14,6".

  Při ukázce vozu řada novinářů oceňovala jednoduché mechanické ovládání některých základních funkcí.

  Spíše designérskou libůstkou studie je oválný volant. Že by v běžných řadových vozech nahradil klasické kulaté totiž není příliš pravděpodobné.

  Co by to bylo za vůz ŠKODA bez Simply Clever prvků? V případě vozu VISION 7S jde například o magnetické úchyty na mobilní telefon.

  Studie vozu zdůrazňuje přístup ŠKODA AUTO k udržitelnosti. Podlaha a zavazadlový prostor jsou tak celé vyrobeny z materiálu z recyklovaných pneumatik.

• Reportáž – fotogalerie

  Figuranta-hasiče nejprve do výšky vynesla plošina…

  …teprve pak se uvázal k jistícímu lanu.

  Poté figurant simuloval pád a houpal se na laně ve svém úvazku.

  Po telefonátu na operační středisko přijíždějí k nářaďovně hasiči a sanitka s lékařkou.

  Velitel jednotky hasičů se přímo v hale seznamuje se situací.
  

  Hasiči-lezci vystupují na jeřáb, zajišťují si úvaz a jeden z nich slaňuje k figurantovi.

  Připíná si jej ke svému postroji a přeřezává mu jistící lano.

  Společně slaňují k záchranářům, kteří si figuranta přebírají…

  … a sanitkou ho odvážejí k podrobnému lékařskému vyšetření.

• Škodovaci – fotogalerie

  Zdeňka Hotovce fascinuje jednoduchost a nenáročnost discgolfu.

  Říká, že když chcete začít, stačí vám pouze jeden disk.

  Nejtěžší pak však je, dobře zvládnout techniku hodu.

  A pokud si chcete tento sport vyzkoušet, stačí navštívit hřiště v parku Štěpánka.

• Motorsport – fotogalerie

  Devítinásobný mistr světa Sébastien Loeb se spolujezdkyní Laurène Godey jen na Rally Azory poprvé soutěž ve voze Fabia RS Rally2.

  Atraktivní závod na úzkých šotolinových cestách vyhráli s náskokem necelých dvaceti sekund.

  Na druhém místě skončili jejich kolegové z týmu Toksport WRT, Andreas Mikkelsen s Torsteinem Eriksenem, přestože vyhráli více rychlostních zkoušek.

  Nový speciál Škoda poprvé v rámci mistrovství světa zamířil i na asfaltové tratě. V Chorvatské rally však tentokrát na vítězství v kategorii WRC2 nedosáhly. Na pódiu ale nechyběly, obhájce titulu Emil Lindholm dojel třetí.

  Vítězství v kategorii WRC Masters Cup pro jezdce nad 50 let si ve voze Fabia RS Rally2 připsal Armin Kremer navigovaný dcerou Ellou.

• Okem zrcadlovky – fotogalerie

   

   

   

   

  
  

• 7 Castles Trial – fotogalerie

  Trasa rally zavedla účastníky například pod zříceninu hradu Okoř. Ve voze Superb 3000 OHV pod ní projeli i Michal Velebný a Andrea Frydlová z útvaru GKM – Škoda Muzeum.

  Počasí přálo i jízdě v otevřených vozech, v tomto případě v modelu Škoda 1101 Roadster.

  Stejně tak si jízdu ve Škoda 1101 Cabrio užil moderátor a influencer Tomáš Zástěra, který spolupracuje se značkou Škoda.

  Na trase závodu zaujala i Felicia z roku 1962 v atraktivní tyrkysové barvě.

• Nové modely – fotogalerie

  Compact
  

  Compact electric SUV 

  Official name Elroq 

  Electric successor to the Karoq 

  Length approx. 4.5 m 

  Ideal family car for the city and countryside 

  Planned world premiere in 2024 

  Small
  

  The smallest and most affordable electric car 

  Price around EUR 25,000 

  SUV-style bodywork, approx. 4.1 m long 

  Luggage capacity comparable to the Scala, one class larger 

  Planned world premiere in 2025 

  Enyaq
  

  Upgraded design 
  

  Skoda Auto is set to make the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé a mainstay in its move towards the Modern Solid design language 

  Both models will continue to be produced in Mladá Boleslav 

  Planned world premiere in 2025 

  Enyaq Coupé

  Upgraded design 
  

  Skoda Auto is set to make the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé a mainstay in its move towards the Modern Solid design language 

  Both models will continue to be produced in Mladá Boleslav 

  Planned world premiere in 2025 

  Space
  

  Based on the Vision 7S concept 

  Length approx. 4.9 m 

  The car offers a high degree of flexibility and superior interior space 

  Spacious seven-seater car 

  Planned world premiere in 2026 

  Combi
  

  Electric version of Skoda’s best-selling estate 

  Length approx. 4.7 m 

  Ideal for families and businesses 

  The car builds on the success of the estate segment 

  Planned world premiere in 2026 

• Vyroci – fotogalerie

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Motorsport / event – fotogalerie

   

   

   

   

• Power Platform hackathon – fotogalerie

   

   

   

  
  

• Hispano-Suiza – fotogalerie

  Škoda Hispano-Suiza 25/100 KS se dočkala důkladné renovace, která začala v srpnu 2019.

  Historická limuzína získala původní exkluzivní vzhled, který vlivem přestaveb a necitlivých zásahů v uplynulých desetiletích postupně ztratila.

  Díky důkladným rešerším archivních materiálů včetně fotografií a filmových záběrů bylo možné uvést vůz do původní podoby do posledního detailu.

  Náročná byla třeba renovace 6,6 litrového motoru. Odborníci se museli vypořádat s následky nevydařené opravy klikového hřídele nebo víkem bloku motoru, které bylo po neodborné renovaci deformované a zoxidované.

  Samostatnou kapitolou byly interiéry vozu. Musely být vyrobeny nové konstrukce sedadel, kterých se pak v roce 2021 ujali čalouníci.

  Pečlivé renovace se dočkal čtyřramenný volant a celá přístrojová deska zdobená intarziemi.
  

  Koncem 20. let minulého století se ještě na povrchovou úpravu částí karoserie většinou nepoužíval chrom, převažovalo pokovení niklem. I to bylo během renovace opraveno či obnoveno.

  Limuzínu automobilky Hispano-Suiza vyráběla v licenci Škoda Plzeň, která neměla vlastní karosárnu. Spolupracovala proto například s firmou J. O. Jech.

  Plzeňský podnik vyrobil jen limitovanou série limuzín, ta vůbec první zamířila do služeb prezidenta T. G. Masaryka.

  Renovovaný vůz původně vlastnil průmyslník Robert Mandelík. Za druhé světové války byl pak přestavěn na hasičské vozidlo s tažným zařízením pro přepravu stříkačky.