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Škoda Auto has taken another significant step toward future-proofing its main plant in Mladá Boleslav by laying the foundation stone for an advanced paint shop. Scheduled to open in 2029, the facility will have a daily capacity of up to 1,600 bodies. Combined with existing facilities, the total daily painting capacity at the Mladá Boleslav plant will reach 2,600 bodies. The state-of-the-art facility will utilise automation, robotics, and advanced technologies to enhance the quality of each protective coating applied. Capable of painting vehicles built on both internal combustion (ICE) and electric platforms, the facility will significantly enhance operational efficiency and flexibility. It will also enable two-tone paint applications and matte finishes. Crucially, the new paint shop aligns with Škoda Auto’s aim to achieve carbon-neutral production at its Czech plants by 2030. Alongside a reduction in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), CO₂ emissions from painting processes will be cut by 28%.

“The construction of a new paint shop at our main plant in Mladá Boleslav underscores our commitment to both the Czech Republic, the home of Škoda Auto, and the company’s ongoing development. The facility’s extensive use of cutting-edge technologies, such as robotic systems for PVC-based sealant application and automated systems for plugging body openings, will significantly boost efficiency. It will also set new environmental standards as one of the Volkswagen Group’s most advanced paint shops, substantially reducing VOC and CO₂ emissions by 28%.”

Andreas Dick, Škoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics

Optimal conditions for advanced body treatment at Škoda’s main plant
The Mladá Boleslav site currently has two paint shops, with the original facility operating since 1996. This older facility will be fully replaced by the new paint shop, which offers additional capabilities such as contrasting roof colours and matte finishes. The second paint shop began operations in 2019. Together with the new facility, Škoda Auto’s main plant will provide optimal conditions for advanced body surface treatments.

Highlighting the scale of the project, the new building will measure 301 metres in length, 131 metres in width, and 32.5 metres in height, comparable to a seven-storey structure. The total floor area will span 118,000 square metres – equivalent to over 16 football fields – and the conveyor system will extend to 15 kilometres. The facility will be built on the current site of a finished-vehicle car park, adjacent to the recently opened Laurin & Klement bridge.

Painting is among the most important stages of vehicle production, as it provides long-term aesthetic quality and all-round protection against external factors. The body surface protection process includes multiple layers: a cataphoretic anti-corrosion coating, PVC application in vulnerable areas, followed by precoat and base coat paints applied using a wet-on-wet process. For the first time, Škoda will employ a process that applies the decorative basecoat directly onto the cataphoretic layer without baking the primer coat, optimising cost efficiency without compromising quality. The final clear coat and cavity waxing complete the process, resulting in a total coating thickness of approximately 100 micrometres (0.1 mm).

Cutting-edge paint technology: flexible, precise, economical, sustainable
The new paint shop at Škoda Auto’s Mladá Boleslav plant will greatly increase operational flexibility by accommodating both ICE and electric models on the same production line. It will feature a new curing oven, optimised for precise curing of coatings throughout the painting process. A combined energy source, using biogas and electricity will boost flexibility, reduce emissions, and lower costs.

Moreover, the new paint shop will set benchmarks for environmental compatibility: VOC emissions will decrease by over 14 grams per square metre, and overall CO₂ emissions will be reduced by 28%, contributing substantially to Škoda Auto’s carbon-neutral production goal by 2030.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

For the fifth year running, Škoda Auto took part in European Diversity Month – an initiative by the European Commission to highlight the value and importance of diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, both in the workplace and across society as a whole. This year’s activities centred around the theme ‘Your bubble is one of many. Get to know others’, encouraging people to look beyond their familiar surroundings and discover new perspectives as a foundation for greater empathy, respect and human connection. The celebrations began with the premiere of the Elroq Respectline – a striking concept car that visually symbolises Škoda’s commitment to human rights and inclusion. Throughout May, employees took part in panel discussions, online events and a range of activities aligned with the company’s mission ‘Škoda Auto – A place for everyone’, built on the core values of Humanity, Respect and Openness. Škoda also published its latest Diversity Annual Report, outlining key milestones and progress made in this area over the past year.

“Diversity is the foundation of who we are at Škoda Auto. Every individual is unique, and it is our responsibility to ensure that everyone is treated fairly, regardless of age, background, religion, gender, family status, or sexuality. Just as our customers come from diverse backgrounds and our portfolio caters to a wide range of needs, we must also embrace this diversity within our company. The reason: diversity brings varied perspectives and experiences to the table, leading to more creative and innovative solutions that better meet the needs of our customers.”

Maren Gräf, Škoda Auto Board Member for People & Culture

Škoda Auto’s Diversity Day and a rich programme of events for employees
Škoda Auto marked European Diversity Month with a series of events centred around the theme ‘Your bubble is one of many. Get to know others’. Early in the month, the company unveiled the Elroq Respectline with a bold exterior and interior design. As the second model of its kind, it symbolises Škoda’s core values of humanity, respect, openness, and its strong commitment to inclusion. Employees had the chance to view the vehicle up close during Diversity Day, held on 13 May at the Laurin & Klement Kampus headquarters.

The day’s programme also included an exhibition exploring the stories and initiatives behind Škoda Auto’s efforts. Employees also engaged with themed booths run by the company’s employee resource groups – Škoda Proud, Internationals@Škoda and Women@Work – as well as a Škoda Academy stand offering inclusion-focused training via the internal Degreed platform. The event featured friendly competitions and the launch of the HandBike Challenge, a long-term initiative organised in partnership with the charity Cesta za snem, which supports people with disabilities. Škoda Auto is the main partner of this organisation.

Throughout May, additional activities included a series of interviews, panel discussions, online events and friendly competitions on a wide range of topics – from neurodiversity awareness and anxiety among young people, to inclusive language, intergenerational cooperation and inspiring conversations with women across the company. Highlights also included the Fun&Run sports gathering, designed to encourage informal connection and team spirit outside the workplace.

Equity, inclusion and human rights: Škoda Auto’s long-term commitment
In close collaboration with the KOVO trade union, Škoda Auto has long been committed to developing and implementing a corporate culture and working conditions that consider the various individual needs and expectations of its workforce. Diversity is embedded in the Next Level Škoda Strategy, which sets measurable goals as part of the company’s long-term vision.

These efforts are already delivering tangible results. In 2024, Škoda Auto surpassed its target for women in management, reaching 20.4%. The company also operates sheltered workplace programmes to support employees with disabilities, with 530 individuals participating last year. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are fully integrated into Škoda Auto’s broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework. In a recent independent ESG assessment, the company received an above-average score of 94% in the area of DEI.

Full details can be found in the latest edition of Škoda’s Diversity Report, published in May.

Škoda Auto also demonstrates its ongoing commitment to openness, acceptance and respectful coexistence through partnerships with organisations that promote these topics across many areas of society. Among others, these include Prague Pride Festival, Pride Business Forum, Czechitas and Business for Society.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Fifty-five years ago, a local importer in Karachi, Pakistan, began producing the Škoda Skopak. The pick-up, based on the Škoda Octavia Combi, was developed specifically for the needs of the local market. The technical design was led by Josef Velebný, who drew on his experience with the Trekka, a model created for New Zealand. In total, around 1,400 vehicles were built in a range of different versions.

The Skopak project is one of the lesser-known chapters in Škoda Auto’s 130-year history. Launched in Pakistan in May 1970, the robust pick-up was a bespoke model, designed to meet the specific needs of customers.

Škoda vehicles – in particular the Škoda 1000 MB – had already been exported to Pakistan from the mid-1960s. The local importer, Haroon Industries Ltd., based in the port city of Karachi, proposed in 1967 the idea of building a simple, rugged vehicle tailored to the local market. The concept took inspiration from the Trekka, a New Zealand-built derivative of the Škoda Octavia that was also suitable for light off-road use. The first Skopak prototype was unveiled in spring 1969, the model designation being a blend of ‘Škoda’ and ‘Pakistan’. Engineer Josef Velebný, who was in charge of the technical design, made full use of his prior experience with the Trekka. He relocated to Pakistan to support the project, with series production of the Skopak launching in May 1970.

The vehicle was built on the chassis of the Octavia Combi, which was imported to Karachi in a disassembled state. A steel frame formed the basis of the vehicle, onto which fibreglass body panels could be easily bolted. This clever modular approach made it possible to produce several versions, with the most basic variant being a two-seater with simple fabric straps instead of doors.

Despite its compact size – 4.2 metres long, 1.64 metres wide and 1.25 metres high – the Skopak could carry a payload of half a tonne and tow a trailer weighing up to 750 kg. Its height could be reduced to just 1.1 metres by folding down the windscreen – a practical feature for navigating off the beaten track, for example beneath fallen trees.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Next week, 28 students from the Škoda Auto Secondary Vocational School of Engineering will unveil the tenth Škoda Student Car, named the Škoda L&K 130. The designation of this one-off vehicle reflects Škoda Auto’s 130-year heritage, as does its striking colour scheme. The combination of red, gold and black pays tribute to the original Laurin & Klement logo used on the company’s earliest cars in 1905.

A tribute to the legacy of Václav Laurin and Václav Klement
Škoda Auto’s 130th anniversary has been woven into every detail of the new Student Car. Scheduled for unveiling in mid-June, the Škoda L&K 130 references the Czech automaker’s rich heritage, which began with founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement in 1895.

Colour scheme inspired by the historic 1905 L&K logo
The Laurin & Klement legacy extends beyond the vehicle’s name. Selected from numerous student-submitted designs, the colour scheme echoes the original 1905 company logo. Its elegant combination of gold, deep red and black complements the modern contours of the student-designed vehicle as effectively as it did the classic grille of the Voiturette A – the very first car to bear the Laurin & Klement name. Inside, this historical theme continues, with the seats, dashboard, door panels and steering wheel upholstered in sustainable materials inspired by Škoda’s heritage.

All ten Škoda Student Cars on display
This year’s Škoda Student Car marks the tenth remarkable one-off creation by students at the Škoda Auto Secondary Vocational School of Engineering in Mladá Boleslav. To celebrate this milestone, all nine previous Student Cars, from the 2014 Citijet to the 2023 Roadiaq, will be exhibited alongside the new L&K 130 at its official unveiling next week.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

For the next two seasons, Škoda Auto will serve as an Official Partner to the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and the UCI Gravel World Championships, both organised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). These two high-profile events feature a variety of formats for both men and women. Mountain bike has a long-standing tradition, a large fan base, and Olympic status, while gravel – raced on mixed surfaces including gravel roads – has surged in popularity in recent years. Tens of thousands of spectators attend the events in person, with more than 25 million people tuning in via broadcast across the two events. This year’s UCI Mountain Bike World Championships will take place in Valais, Switzerland, in late August and early September. The UCI Gravel World Championships are scheduled for October 2025 in the South Limburg region of the Netherlands. At the UCI Championship venues, Škoda will offer dedicated areas for visitors and fans, showcasing a selection of electrified models including all-electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV).

“At Škoda Auto, cycling has been part of our DNA ever since our founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement established the company 130 years ago. We have supported professional cycling for over 20 years, and we are proud to expand our involvement with the UCI to include their Elite mountain bike and gravel competitions. Our aim is to bring our brand closer to cycling and outdoor enthusiasts – people who, like our customers, love everyday exploration. This exciting new partnership reflects our commitment to sustainability, but above all, it supports one of our core values: being human. Ultimately, UCI competitions are about people – professional cyclists – achieving extraordinary things.”

Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing

A diverse UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Switzerland
The 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships will take place from 30 August to 14 September in the Swiss canton of Valais. This landmark event will bring together almost all mountain bike formats in a single two-week competition. The programme includes Olympic cross-country, team relay, cross-country short track, mountain bike marathon, E-MTB cross-country, downhill, enduro, E-enduro, and pump track events. In total, 27 UCI World Champion titles will be awarded.

UCI Gravel World Championships in the Netherlands
Gravel – a discipline centered around bikes specifically designed for mixed surfaces like gravel roads, dirt trails, and pavement– has grown rapidly in popularity in recent years. The renewed interest in these lightweight, fast bikes has drawn in both amateur and professional riders, leading to the creation of a dedicated UCI World Championships. This year’s race will take place in the South Limburg region of the Netherlands.

Škoda Auto – a long-standing partner of cycling
This year, the Czech carmaker is celebrating 130 years since its founding. Škoda’s origins date back to 1895, when Václav Laurin and Václav Klement began producing bicycles in Mladá Boleslav. In modern times, Škoda Auto has been a key supporter of professional cycling for over two decades. Last year, the brand extended its partnership with A.S.O. – the organiser of elite races including the Tour de France – until 2028. Škoda also supports the women’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, as well as other prestigious races such as La Vuelta Ciclista a España and La Flèche Wallonne. Bicycles and related accessories have long been part of Škoda Auto’s extended product offering.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

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