Skoda to extend production number for Fabia and Rapid amid growth in both models.

ŠKODA’s new models are doing exceptionally well. In 2014 the Czech carmaker sold more than one million vehicles for the first time in a single year.  Accordingly, ŠKODA production is now shifting up a gear: At the main plant in Mladá Boleslav, ŠKODA has recently upped the manufacturing capacities for the new ŠKODA Fabia and Fabia Combi (estate), as well as the ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback.  Up to 1200 of these models now run off the MBII production line every day in three shifts. Previously, a maximum of 800 vehicles could be produced on a daily basis in two shifts. ŠKODA has created an additional 800 new jobs to staff the third shift.

​“The young ŠKODA model range is doing exceptionally well on the market,” says ŠKODA Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA Production Director. “Our production is at full throttle – especially at our main plant in Mladá Boleslav. Over the coming years, ŠKODA plans to increase sales to at least 1.5 million per year. To this end, we will continue to invest in our domestic and international production capacities.” 

The current expansion in production capacities at the MBII line in Mladá Boleslav were necessary due to the growing success of the Fabia and Rapid Spaceback. ŠKODA had begun expanding and technologically upgrading key areas of the Fabia production halls in Mladá Boleslav as early as summer 2014.   This was when the new, ultra-modern facility was finished, enabling the new assistance systems to be configured. The paint shop was also extended and partially redeveloped. 

ŠKODA operates two production lines in Mladá Boleslav: The Fabia, Fabia Combi (estate) and Rapid Spaceback are manufactured on the MBII line; the Octavia, Octavia Combi (estate) and Rapid saloon run off the other line.  The production capacity currently stands at 1200 cars per day.

By expanding their production capacities at the main plant in Mladá Boleslav, the Czech manufacturer is once again demonstrating their importance as an employer and major industrial investor in the Czech Republic. Since 1991, ŠKODA has invested more than 280 billion Czech Crowns into the manufacturing processes and factories at the locations of Mladá Boleslav, Kvasiny and Vrchlabí. In 2014, the respective investments totalled 362 million euros. Last autumn, ŠKODA and the Volkswagen Group invested 45 million euros alone in the newly opened ŠKODA Engine Centre – one of the largest industrial investments of recent years in the Czech Republic.

The Fabia’s market launch was extremely successful. The small car is setting standards in its segment, and has won a number of international awards; in the Czech Republic, the new ŠKODA Fabia was voted ‘Car of the year 2015’. In the UK, the model received the renowned title ‘What Car? Car of the Year 2015’. The ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback has also taken the consumer market by storm.  In 2014 sales of the Rapid Spaceback increased nine fold over the previous year, with a total of 72,000 sold around the world (2013: 8000). The brand’s first compact hatchback model offers fresh-dynamic designs, lots of room, a host of ‘Simply Clever’ ideas, the highest safety, low fuel consumption and is great value for money.

Skoda celebrates producing 17,000,000th model in 120 year rich and varied history.

ŠKODA has produced their 17 millionth vehicle. The jubilee car – a ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback in ‚Corrida Red’ – ran off the production line at the ŠKODA headquarters in Mladá Boleslav. The vehicle is going to a customer in Germany. This production milestone is a highlight of the Czech carmaker’s successful growth strategy. In 2014 ŠKODA manufactured and sold more than 1 million cars for the first time during a single year in the company’s 120-year history. Over the coming years, ŠKODA plans to increase sales to at least 1.5 million per year.

“ŠKODA is doing extremely well,” says ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “Producing 17 million vehicles since 1905 demonstrates the brand’s strength and sustained success. Since 1991, when ŠKODA joined forces with Volkswagen, we have manufactured more than 12 million cars. Now, we can definitely say we are established in the ‘Champions League’ of international volume manufacturers. ŠKODA will continue to grow over the coming years with new models.” 

ŠKODA is one of the longest-established vehicle manufacturing companies in the world. Automobile production began in 1905: In that year, the ŠKODA founders Laurin and Klement built their first automobile in Mladá Boleslav, a Voiturette A. Since then, the company has produced 17 million vehicles at their Czech and international plants. 

ŠKODA has made incredible progress especially since joining the Volkswagen Group in 1991. The rapid resurgence of the legendary automobile brand has indeed been impressive – from the company’s roots in the heart of Europe to an internationally successful manufacturer with currently seven model series and over 40 model variants. In 2014 ŠKODA achieved the magic threshold of producing and selling one million vehicles in a single year for the first time in the company’s history. Global sales in 2014 reached a new record of 1.04 million vehicles delivered. 

“We are not going to become complacent; we are picking up the pace,” says Prof. Vahland. Over the coming years, the company plans to increase annual car sales to at least 1.5 million. The main driving force behind the growth strategy is ŠKODA’s most comprehensive model campaign of all time. Since 2011, the brand’s model range has been comprehensively renewed and has expanded into important segments. The most recent addition is the new ŠKODA Fabia that has been setting standards in the small car class since its launch a few months ago. As early as mid-February, ŠKODA will be introducing the new ŠKODA Superb. ŠKODA’s completely redeveloped flagship heralds in a new era for the brand and is and will be the best ŠKODA ever. The market launch is set for early June this year.

The manufacturer has implemented their growth strategy not only in Europe but also in the international growth markets. The Chinese market, in particular, is playing a key role. In 2014 China was once again ŠKODA strongest individual market with a 27% share of total sales. 

The company’s international orientation is also demonstrated in their global production network, which has expanded significantly over recent years. ŠKODA vehicles are currently produced at 13 production locations in the Czech Republic, China, Russia, India, Slovakia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Over the coming years, the Czech carmaker plans to increase their production capacities further.  

Selected milestones in ŠKODA AUTO’s production: 

›30 January 2015: 17 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

›10 December 2014: ŠKODA manufactures the 1,000,000th vehicle in 2014 – the first time the company had produced one million vehicles in a single year  

› 19 March 2014: 11 million ŠKODA cars produced at the Mladá Boleslav plant

› 9 July 2013: 1 Million ŠKODA vehicles in China since 2007

› 5 February 2013: 15 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

› 30 January 2012: 14 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

› 12 October 2011: 10 million ŠKODA vehicles at the Mladá Boleslav plant

› 8 April 2009: 12 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

› 13 July 2006: 10 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

› 1991: 5 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

ŠKODA produces and sells one million vehicles for the first time in one year.

• ŠKODA produces and sells one million vehicles for the first time in one year
• Large anniversary event for employees and guests at ŠKODA Museum
• Millionth vehicle produced: ŠKODA Fabia 1.2 TSI goes to charity
• One millionth vehicle delivered, a ŠKODA Octavia vRS, goes to Czech customer
• Manufacturer achieves key milestone in growth strategy

Producing and delivering one million ŠKODA cars in a single year is a milestone for the Czech manufacturer, and reaffirms its international growth strategy. ŠKODA honoured the team’s outstanding contribution to the successful development of recent years by hosting the ‘Million Celebration’ at the ŠKODA Museum.

The one millionth ŠKODA vehicle produced this year ran off the production lines at the main ŠKODA plant in Mladá Boleslav on 10 December: a ŠKODA Fabia 1.2 TSI in moon white. The anniversary car was donated to the ‘Life for Children’ foundation, a charity which provides care and support for ill children in the Czech Republic, and which was selected as the most worthy recipient by ŠKODA employees. The keys were handed over yesterday evening at a ceremony in Mladá Boleslav.

In addition, the millionth ŠKODA customer of 2014 – who is from the Czech Republic - was welcomed during the festivities. He had ordered an Octavia Estate vRS, 2.0 TSI in rally-green metallic, and the keys were handed to him by rally champion Jan Kopecky.

“Producing and delivering one million vehicles is a historical milestone that demonstrates the strength of the brand,” said ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. hc Winfried Vahland. “ŠKODA has achieved a new dimension and is firmly established as an international volume manufacturer. This success can be attributed to our model campaign, and the great performance of our 26,000 employees worldwide. The whole team is very proud of this achievement. At the same time, achieving this million in production and sales will spur us on to pick up the pace over the coming years.”

ŠKODA growth strategy is successful

By achieving one million in production and sales in 2014, the manufacturer is once again flying the banner high and highlighting its growth. At the heart of the growth strategy is the most comprehensive model campaign in the 119-year history of the company. Since 2010, the brand has been extensively renewing its model range and branching out into important segments – from the small ŠKODA Citigo to the new ŠKODA Fabia introduced just a few weeks ago.

“We offer the most attractive and modern ŠKODA model range of all time,” said Winfried Vahland. The model campaign’s success is reflected in the sales figures: between 2010 and December 2014, ŠKODA’s deliveries increased by over 30 per cent, making ŠKODA one of the world’s fastest-growing volume brands.

The company’s development over the past two decades is one of the great success stories in the automotive industry. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain and joining the Volkswagen Group in April 1991, ŠKODA’s production and sales have increased six-fold. With this came the resurgence of one of the longest-established automotive brands. ŠKODA's origins date back to the pioneering days of the car in 1895. In its rich history, the company has always delighted customers with legendary cars like the ŠKODA 860 and ŠKODA Popular Monte Carlo.

In addition to expanding the model range, an important pillar of the growth strategy is entering new markets beyond Europe. Nowadays, ŠKODAs are available in over 100 countries worldwide. China has been the brand’s strongest market since 2010. In the first 11 months of 2014 around one quarter of ŠKODAs worldwide were sold in China.