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KODA gives a first preview of the fourth-generation FABIA. In a silhouette image, the roofline hints at the new proportions of the small car, which is based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Transverse Toolkit MQB-A0 for the first time. This platform enhances the interior space and supports the use of state-of-the-art assistance systems and connectivity features. The new FABIA is powered by the latest generation of petrol engines, making it perfect for young families and recent graduates or as an ideal second car. The world premiere of the new ŠKODA FABIA is set for spring 2021. 

With the changeover to the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Transverse Toolkit MQB-A0, the ŠKODA FABIA is larger than its predecessor in all dimensions. For example, the boot volume, which was already one of the FABIA’s highlights, has grown by a further 50 litres. Thanks to an even more rigid body structure, the MQB-A0 also brings further improvements in passive safety as well as the option of installing numerous modern assistance systems, which were previously only available in higher vehicle classes. 

Modern petrol engines ensure high efficiency and long range 
ŠKODA has opted for state-of-the-art petrol engines for the fourth-generation FABIA. All the engines come from the Volkswagen Group’s EVO engine generation and combine high efficiency with low emissions. The new ŠKODA FABIA always comes with front-wheel drive, with a manual gearbox or automatic 7-speed DSG. This means the small car is optimally equipped for journeys in the city as well as for long distances.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ŠKODA Academy moved consistently to online offerings. Trainees and students at the company’s training facility now benefit from a diverse virtual training programme that is continuously being expanded. IT courses, in particular, are in high demand, with 4,100 people enrolled. The company is also pushing ahead with the development of its workforce in the field of electromobility: to date, more than 16,500 employees have completed special courses. 

Bohdan Wojnar, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Human Resources, explained: “We responded quickly, efficiently and pragmatically to the COVID-19 pandemic by consistently digitalising our vocational training and professional development courses. Our trainees, students and employees benefit from this boost in digitalisation and can easily and conveniently continue their training from home. This means the transfer of knowledge is ensured, even during a pandemic. I want to thank Alois Kauer, Head of the ŠKODA Academy, and his team for the smooth changeover from the classroom to online training.” 

Alois Kauer, Head of the ŠKODA Academy, emphasised: “Last year, our ŠKODA Academy proved that it can live up to its educational mission even under difficult circumstances. We have invested over 340 million Czech korunas in training programmes and technological equipment since 2013 – that is paying off in these challenging times. Last year, 4,100 people completed an IT course, and more than 16,500 employees were trained in electromobility. This year, we will continue to expand our range of digital vocational training and professional development programmes.” 

When production in the Czech plants came to a halt during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, training programmes also had to be suspended. In response, the ŠKODA Academy increasingly digitalised its courses and focused on live webinars. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, ŠKODA AUTO had invested in the equipment required for distance learning for trainees and students. In addition, the company’s training facility developed new online tools. 

To support employees and managers in the transition to remote working, ŠKODA AUTO has launched the #STRONGERTOGETHER project. In addition to technological equipment, the car manufacturer provides its staff with the relevant materials, guides and further training opportunities so they can efficiently adapt to working remotely. Managers are learning new techniques to guide their teams through these changing conditions and the ŠKODA Academy has produced manuals and offers courses to support them. 

Equipped for the future: electromobility courses and IT training 
While comprehensive digitalisation measures were being implemented with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, ŠKODA AUTO’s special training programmes focusing on electromobility continued. More than 16,500 employees have now completed the programmes introduced in 2016, which are not only designed for staff and students, but also for the employees of its suppliers. Since 2017, all trainees from the vocational school have undergone electromobility training specifically tailored to their line of work. In 2020, ŠKODA AUTO established another course in this area and more than 700 participants have already completed this training programme. 

Throughout this digital transformation, IT training has become even more important. ŠKODA AUTO now covers the entire spectrum, offering everything from an introductory professional development course to comprehensive IT training programmes. For example, employees can train to become junior data analysts. The company places great importance on using state-of-the-art technologies that are also prevalent in the workplace, for example in the field of hydraulics and pneumatics or in control systems. ŠKODA AUTO also looks at current training trends and, for example, uses live and online formats with gamification elements in e-learning. DEON provides a platform for virtual collaboration. 

In light of the current COVID-19 situation, ŠKODA AUTO’s production and operational staff who are in quarantine are having the option of working remotely from 18 January 2021 – following an agreement to this effect with the carmaker’s social partner, the KOVO union. From 25 January, this will also apply to technical/commercial staff whose area of work means they cannot work remotely. This mobile work regime takes a form of qualification improvement. All that will be required is an agreement with their supervisor. The remote-working option for production and operational staff, as well as commercial/technical staff, is a pilot project in collaboration with the KOVO union. The agreement is based not only on the company’s trust but also on its responsibility for the health of its workforce and on providing good living and working conditions. At the same time, every employee is expected to act in a fair and responsible manner. 

Attractive: wide range of collaborations has many advantages for students and trainees 
ŠKODA AUTO collaborates with approximately 20 universities in the Czech Republic – for example in the context of internships or in the preparation of final assignments – to promote the dialogue between business and science. Graduates of the academy are provided with opportunities, such as professional internships or international trainee positions including internships abroad. Furthermore, there is a development and talent programme for doctoral students to work on their thesis together with ŠKODA AUTO experts. Since 2019, ŠKODA AUTO has honoured the best doctoral thesis of the year with the ‘Laurin & Klement’ award including prize money of up to 80,000 Czech korunas.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

With the new ENYAQ iV, ŠKODA AUTO is also launching a clear new product range structure and an innovative interior concept as it enters the era of electric mobility. The first ŠKODA model based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular electrification toolkit (MEB) offers customisable Design Selections for the interior. The optional Design Selections are oriented towards modern living environments and extend the existing equipment lines. The colours and materials are perfectly coordinated. In the following interview, Kateřina Vránová, Head of Colour & Trim Design at ŠKODA AUTO and her colleague Stefan Webelhorst, talk about the selection of materials, many of which are natural, sustainably processed or recycled, and demonstrate in a video how easy it is to configure the new ŠKODA ENYAQ iV in just six steps.

The all-electric ŠKODA ENYAQ iV SUV is the Czech manufacturer’s first production model based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular electrification toolkit (MEB) and combines innovative technologies with a progressive and emotive design language. The ENYAQ iV is produced at ŠKODA’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav, making it the only MEB model in Europe outside of Germany. In addition to locally emission-free drivetrains, ŠKODA AUTO is committed to sustainability. In the interior of the ENYAQ iV, this is underlined by the use of leather tanned without chemicals with an extract from olive leaves, as well as upholstery made from a blend of virgin wool and polyester from recycled PET bottles. 

The blend of 60 per cent recycled polyester and 40 per cent virgin wool also ensures a pleasant seating climate. Wool is one of the most moisture-absorbent natural fibres. It has a cooling effect, is breathable and also filters out pollutants and odours from the surrounding air. The virgin wool used is independently tested and certified according to the Woolmark Company’s strict assessment criteria. The seat covers carry the Wool Blend Performance label for products that contain between 30 and 49.9 per cent virgin wool. 

The new offer structure is transparent and user-friendly with a total of twelve uniquely coordinated Design Selections attuned to different lifestyles ranging from modern or luxurious to sporty. Depending on the battery size, drivetrain and model variant, customers can choose from up to five of these living worlds. Customisation options are grouped into eleven theme packages, and several features and services are available for all trim levels.

What is the philosophy behind the new ŠKODA ENYAQ iV Design Selections? 

Kateřina Vránová: For many people, their car is just as personal a place as their own home, where they spend a lot of time and want to feel comfortable. Just as with a person’s home, tastes vary greatly. Some customers prefer a modern and clear atmosphere; others prioritise exclusivity and comfort or a particularly sporty look. With the Design Selections, we draw inspiration from these living worlds, transfer them to the ENYAQ iV and extend that at-home feeling to the vehicle. Our team has taken great care to ensure that the colours and materials coordinate perfectly. Everything is designed to enhance the desired lifestyle, without the customer having to think about the ideal combination of details. 

Which living worlds are available in the ENYAQ iV? 

Stefan Webelhorst: The ENYAQ iV 50 features the entry Design Selection ‘Studio’, in which form follows function to create an uncluttered ambience. Starting with the ENYAQ iV 60, the Selection ‘Loft’ comes as standard. It reflects the style of modern apartments for young families. The Selections ‘Lounge’ and ‘Suite’ are more exclusive, offering, for example, leather upholstery or piano lacquer trim. The two Selections ‘RS Lounge’ and ‘RS Suite’ for the ENYAQ iV vRS are sporty. More living worlds are planned for later SPORTLINE and L&K variants. The ‘Lodge’ and ‘ecoSuite’ Selections are particularly close to my heart. 

Why? What distinguishes these two Selections? 

Stefan Webelhorst: The choice of materials with a special focus on sustainability. In the ‘Lodge’, we are using seat covers, for the first time made of 40 per cent natural virgin wool and bearing the Woolmark Company’s wool seal. The remaining 60 per cent of this fabric is made of a polyester obtained from recycled PET bottles. The covers have a very pleasant surface and provide an excellent seating climate. They are a perfect choice for customers who care about both our planet and aesthetics. The ecoSuite is characterised by cognac-coloured leather, which is produced without the use of chemicals. Instead, an extract from olive leaves is used in the tanning process. This leather is also used in the exclusive ‘Founders Edition’, of which only 1895 will be produced in commemoration of ŠKODA’s founding year. 

In addition to the Design Selections, ŠKODA has also introduced a new offer structure for the ENYAQ iV. What is the significance of this change? 

Kateřina Vránová: We want to make it as easy, intuitive and transparent as possible for our customers to configure their dream vehicle. With this new structure, the new ENYAQ iV can be customised in just six steps. After initially selecting the battery size and electric motor, deciding on a Design Selection as well as the vehicle colour, chrome trim and wheels, the fourth step is to choose optional extras. We have arranged these clearly into eleven themes, such as infotainment, assistance systems, climate control or comfort seats in option packages. Most of these packages are available in a basic and a more comprehensive ‘Plus’ variant. Step five includes individual options available for each ENYAQ iV model, such as a trailer hitch, a heat pump or a 100- or 125-kW fast charging function. The option of warranty extensions and maintenance plans then concludes the configuration process.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com

ŠKODA AUTO’s Technical Development department opened a new centre for the manufacture of test vehicles and prototypes at its Mladá Boleslav site. The new facility means that these special vehicles can now be built completely under one roof. The carmaker uses state-of-the-art technologies, such as robot stations and virtual reality solutions, through the entire production process. 

Johannes Neft, new ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Technical Development since 1 January, said: “The use of test cars allows us to draw conclusions about numerous technical parameters at an early stage of development and make the necessary adjustments long before serial production of a new model commences. We are now taking the next step. In future, we will build 300 test vehicles and 120 prototypes per year with maximum efficiency under one roof in our new, state-of-the-art facility at the Mladá Boleslav site. We have created the ideal conditions here to develop vehicles at the highest level and that will shape the future of our brand.” 

In order to monitor not only individual components but also the vehicle as a whole, classic tests remain essential, despite digital simulations and models gaining more importance in the testing phase. Due to the increasingly complex and powerful electronic architecture of modern vehicles, the focus is on functional tests of electrics, electronics and assistance systems, as well as on communication between in-car computers. ŠKODA produced some of the test vehicles for the all-electric ENYAQ iV at the new facility. 

David Vaněk, Head of Model and Prototype Manufacture, added: “Our new facility has three floors and houses the parts warehouse, body shop, final assembly and paint shop, all within the smallest of footprints ensuring short distances. At the same time, the facility’s high degree of automation allows for more agile processes and a significant increase in production capacity for test vehicles and prototypes. Furthermore, the building features state-of-the-art virtual reality technologies as well as 168 workplaces in open-space offices and 13 meeting rooms. A large part of the complex – 14,000 m² – is used for vehicle manufacture.” 

The ground floor accommodates the parts warehouse including a covered yard for unloading trucks. The car bodies are built on the second floor, while the third floor contains the final assembly and the paint shop. A freight elevator is used to transport the material between floors. 

Thanks to two robot stations, the proportion of automation in the body shop has increased from 15 to 45 per cent. This doubles production capacity to ten car bodies per week – while requiring 20 per cent less space. Furthermore, weight-saving designs can also be manufactured here, as ŠKODA AUTO has expanded its body shop to include an innovation centre for testing joining techniques, such as clinching, riveting, flow drill screw (FDS) fastening, laser welding and composite construction. 

Virtual reality technologies allow workstations to be preconfigured and customised, and state-of-the-art IT systems are used in logistics. Quality control will be integrated into the production process and run parallel to the respective manufacturing steps. The new facility also includes an up to 300 km/h rolling road for this purpose. 

The new model and prototype production facility is also very advanced from an ecological point of view. The short distances save approximately 1,800 l of fuel per year, therefore enabling a decrease in CO2 emissions of roughly five tonnes. The entire warehousing now being incorporated into vehicle manufacture results in further savings, reducing logistics costs by more than 150,000 euros annually.

Article source: www.skoda-auto.com