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The technical regulations of the Rally2 category provide clear guidelines in various areas of the technical development. For example, the aerodynamics of the new generation ŠKODA FABIA Rally2 widely depend on the road car’s configuration. The best-in-class drag coefficient of the production ŠKODA FABIA gave the engineers of ŠKODA Motorsport the perfect foundation to develop highly efficient aerodynamics for the future rally car.

 

Efficient aerodynamics are one of the most important areas while developing any kind of race car. In Rally2 category, competition variants have to be derived from production models. Thus, engineers face completely different challenges than, for example, their colleagues in single seater racing. When ŠKODA Motorsport began the development of the new generation ŠKODA FABIA Rally2, the respective road car model provided a perfect starting point. The engineers‘ goal was to use the outstanding aerodynamics of the road going ŠKODA FABIA as well for the competition car.

“The aerodynamic elements used on the road car have proven to work in competition environment too and have given the aerodynamic package of the ŠKODA FABIA Rally2 an excellent foundation,“ explains Lukáš Vojík, ŠKODA AUTO Technical Development, Aerodynamics. “We gave aerodynamics even more attention than we already did with the current rally car. The main development target was higher downforce, at the same time enhancing the overall aerodynamic efficiency of the car.“

The road going ŠKODA FABIA features openings on both side ends of the front bumper. The so-called air curtains direct the air flow in a highly controlled manner past the body’s side panels and wheel arches. The engineers of ŠKODA Motorsport chose a similar solution for the front bumper of the new generation ŠKODA FABIA Rally2. On the rally car, the air curtains work together with the splitter along the entire lower edge of the front bumper for optimum aerodynamic efficiency of the front section.

Respecting the Rally2 regulations stipulated by the governing body FIA, the engineers of ŠKODA Motorsport and the Research & Development department of ŠKODA AUTO had to find new ways to optimize the balance between downforce and drag on the future rally car. With cost saving in mind, the Rally2 regulations for example ban active aerodynamic parts. As a consequence, the new generation ŠKODA FABIA Rally has to do without the drag coefficient enhancing, electrically adjusting shutters, which the production model’s lower front grille incorporates.

Two key points were the completely new rear wing and the cleaned-up air flow over the roof area. Lukáš Vojík emphasizes: “As allowed by the Rally2 regulations, the new generation rally car’s rear wing is much bigger than the road going ŠKODA FABIA’s small spoiler. The new generation ŠKODA FABIA Rally2 also achieves twice the downforce compared to the current rally car.”

A modified shape of the so-called scoop, which directs fresh air from above the windscreen into the cockpit, optimizes the air flow over the roof. On a road car the respective air vent usually is situated at the lower end of the windscreen. But on special stages of gravel rallies, this area of a car is very prone to dust or water splashing over the hood.

The ŠKODA Motorsport development team verified the results of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with studies in the wind tunnel followed by extensive test sessions. Lately, various test drivers took to the wheel of the development car on gravel and asphalt roads in Spain.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

ŠKODA AUTO increased its earnings in the past fiscal year compared to 2020 despite the pandemic and the shortage of semiconductors. The ŠKODA AUTO Group’s revenue amounts to 17.7 billion euros (2020: 17.1 billion euros; +3.9%). Operating profit increased significantly year-on-year to 1.08 billion euros (2020: 756 million euros; +43.2%). The return on sales is recovering; at 6.1%, it is significantly above the previous year. The company anticipates major uncertainties as the year progresses due to the war in Ukraine and the associated supply bottlenecks. ŠKODA AUTO, therefore, remains committed to its efficiency programme.

 

The company achieved an operating profit of over one billion euros (1.08 billion euros) in 2021 despite the pandemic and the semiconductor shortage. A significant part of the result is due to a strong first half-year. Revenues in the past fiscal year amounted to 17.7 billion euros (+3.9%), and the return on sales was 6.1%, which is significantly higher than last year. The company increased its net cash flow by 160% to 554 million euros. After a strong first half-year, the chip shortage led to restrictions in production as the year progressed. Thanks to focused sales management, optimising the production mix and the sale of vehicles with higher-value equipment, revenue in 2021 surpassed the previous year’s performance despite lower deliveries. Strict cost management also stabilised the result in the fourth quarter.

ŠKODA AUTO CEO Thomas Schäfer emphasises: “ŠKODA AUTO has demonstrated a high degree of resilience and flexibility in the past fiscal year. Our business is robust – and this is also reflected in the key financial figures, which have developed positively compared to the previous year. Thanks to a great team effort by all 45,000 Škodians, we managed to deliver 878,200 vehicles to customers worldwide. Our all-electric ENYAQ iV significantly exceeded our expectations with almost 45,000 units delivered. We are building on this strong momentum with new models including the emotive ENYAQ COUPÉ iV, the refreshed KAROQ and the sporty FABIA MONTE CARLO. At the same time, we face great uncertainties due to the war in Ukraine. We are continuously analysing the impact of this on our business.”

Christian Schenk, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Finance and IT, adds: “2021 was an extremely challenging fiscal year. We dealt with the situation calmly and in keeping with our ‘Simply Clever’ philosophy. We were able to increase our operating profit compared to the previous year to over one billion euros thanks to a united team performance. Revenue also developed positively despite low sales figures resulting from production constraints. We were able to improve it to 17.7 billion euros through sales mix optimisation in spite of the temporary production stop due to the partial unavailability of components in the second half of the year. We increased profitability thanks to our consistent cost and efficiency management. In 2022, we will mainly be focusing on continuing our successful crisis management and efficiency programme in order to safeguard our business as much as possible in these difficult times.”

Karsten Schnake, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Purchasing, explains: “The tight semiconductor supply situation dampened our growth last year. Thanks to the prompt decision to produce unfinished cars for later completion, we were able to stabilise our result. I thank the Semiconductor Task Force for their incredible efforts. We can now look forward with cautious optimism and expect a significant improvement in the supply of semiconductors from the second half of the year.”

Consistent cost management and annual investments of two billion euros
The Czech car manufacturer will be consistently pursuing its NEXT LEVEL EFFICIENCY programme to further increase efficiency this year. At the same time, the company will be investing two billion euros annually over the coming years. The investments will focus on the further electrification of the model range and compliance with new emission standards. For the rest of the year, ŠKODA AUTO anticipates that the supply of semiconductors will improve in the second half of the year. The Czech car manufacturer also expects the war in Ukraine to have a significant impact on its operating business.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

The Volkswagen Group has received the news about the war in Ukraine with dismay and shock. Volkswagen continues to hope for a cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy. We are convinced that a sustainable solution to the conflict can only be found based on international law.

In view of the Russian attack on Ukraine and the consequences of this, the Group Board of Management of Volkswagen AG has decided to halt the production of vehicles in Russia until further notice with immediate effect. This decision applies to the Russian production sites in Kaluga and Nizhny Novgorod.

Likewise, vehicle exports to Russia will be stopped with immediate effect.

By largely suspending business activities in Russia, the Group’s Board of Management is responding to the overall situation, which is characterised by significant uncertainty and disruption.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

ŠKODA AUTO will be broadcasting this year’s annual press conference live online on Tuesday, 22 March from 10:00 Central European Time. The stream will be available on the ŠKODA Storyboard and the company’s social media channels. The company will be presenting its financial figures for 2021 and reviewing the results during the one-hour event. The car manufacturer will also be providing information about the latest developments and upcoming plans and projects at ŠKODA AUTO.

 

ŠKODA AUTO’s Annual Press Conference will be featured on the ŠKODA Storyboard. The company is also sharing the event on its social media channels. The media can broadcast the livestream on their own channels via an embed code.

Following the presentation and review of the financial figures, a Q&A session with the members of the Board of Management will be held for media representatives.

Questions can be submitted in advance to  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or addressed to the panellists at the location via Slido.

Date: Tuesday, 22 March from 10:00 CET

Livestream: ŠKODA AUTO Annual Press Conference website: http://www.skoda-apc.com/
ŠKODA Storyboard: https://www.skoda-storyboard.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/skodaautonews
Thomas Schäfer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-schaefer-61b446138/
ŠKODA AUTO’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skoda-auto/mycompany/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/CMGgriAm2_Q

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Dear colleagues,

We are dismayed by the military attack on Ukraine and sincerely hope for the swift cessation of hostilities and a speedy return to diplomacy following international law.

We are very concerned for the people in Ukraine, especially the families of our more than 600 Ukrainian colleagues in the Czech Republic and the whole Eurocar team at the Solomonovo factory in Ukraine and the headquarters in Kyiv. Our sympathy goes out to them during these difficult days. At the same time, our thoughts are with our colleagues at Volkswagen Group Rus whose situation is also serious.

There is strength in unity. The Volkswagen Group and its brands will be donating one million euros to the UN Refugee Agency; ŠKODA AUTO is also contributing to this support. In addition, in close alignment with our social partner KOVO, we have decided on the following seven specific support measures, which are the first humanitarian steps we will be taking:

● ŠKODA AUTO will be donating 10 million Czech crowns (400,000 euro) to the Czech not-for-profit NGO ‘People in Need’ (Člověk v Tísni).

● The KOVO MB trade union will be supporting the town of Mladá Boleslav’s fundraiser with 1 million Czech crowns (40,000 euro). At the same time, the trade union will be rolling out other fundraising activities. Refugees will also be provided with accommodation at recreational facilities owned by The KOVO MB trade union and refugee children will be offered places at children’s camps. The KOVO KV and KOVO VR trade unions will be supporting local municipalities in Rychnov nad Kněžnou and Vrchlabí with other activities.

● If necessary, we will help any Ukrainian workers to build a safe life in the Czech Republic for their family. Specifically, we will assist with visa applications, accommodation, language courses, health care, integration, education and ideally, also employment.

● We are grateful that our partner towns of Mladá Boleslav, Rychnov nad Kněžnou and Vrchlabí are preparing for the arrival of Ukrainian refugees. To cover their additional costs, ŠKODA AUTO will now provide a financial contribution of 1 million Czech crowns (40,000 euro) for Mladá Boleslav and half a million Czech crowns (20,000 euro) each for Rychnov na Kněžnou and Vrchlabí.

● We would appreciate your contributions to the numerous material or financial donations made by our partner communities and private organisations. You can find more information here:

      o 

Mladá Boleslav fundraising

      o 

Mladá Boleslav material donations

      o 

Rychnov nad Kněžnou material donations

 
● The town of Mladá Boleslav is organising a fundraiser for the hospital in the Ukrainian twin town of Tiačiv. ŠKODA AUTO will be supporting this donation with one million Czech crowns (40,000 euros), The KOVO MB trade union will be adding a further one million Czech crowns (40,000 euros) to this.

● Our core business is mobility. We are therefore helping to transport donated items via ŠKODA Logistics and providing cars to Czech aid organisations to help them deliver the humanitarian aid.
 

Dear colleagues,
Human is one of our company’s brand values. Now it’s more important than ever to put this value into action. Join us in making a contribution and supporting those who need our help.

Many thanks.

 
Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

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