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Škoda Auto further continued to strengthen its positive course during the first half of 2023, despite ongoing market challenges. The Škoda Auto Group’s operating profit climbed to €911 million, marking a year-on-year increase of 34.8%. At the same time, the return on sales remained steady at 6.6%. The carmaker delivered 432,200 vehicles worldwide between January and June, which is 19.9% more than in the same period last year. The demand for the brand’s bestseller, the Octavia (+60.2%), as well as the all-electric Enyaq iV family (+41.0%), saw a substantial increase.

“We’ve proven in the first half of 2023 that Škoda Auto is on a stable growth path, thanks to a robust business model and a tremendous team performance. These results show what we are capable of delivering despite the challenging market environment. We have remained focused on overcoming supply chain issues and the reward now is being able to keep the production lines rolling. As a result, our customers can expect significantly shorter delivery times. Now, we need to remain vigilant and keep up the hard work to maintain this momentum.“

Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO

“The results that Škoda Auto has achieved in the first six months of this year demonstrate the company’s exceptional flexibility and financial resilience. Our stable return on sales of 6.6% could have been even higher if it were not for the negative one-off impact due to the closure of the Russian business. Yet, we are on track thanks to our Next Level Efficiency+ programme which we will continue to implement further. It is as an important pillar for achieving sustainable profitability, and I am confident that, together with the team, we can continue following this path of sustainable growth.”

Holger Peters, Škoda Auto CFO

“The first half-year has shown us that, even in a challenging environment, Škoda Auto is capable of achieving solid results. We were able to improve our position on the challenging European market and expanded our market share. The waiting time for our models has decreased significantly, and we can now meet customer demand much faster thanks to the improved supply of components. The success of our all-electric Enyaq iV family gives us every reason to be optimistic about the future. We remain fully committed to providing affordable e-mobility that perfectly fits all our customers’ needs, by further accelerating our e-campaign.”

Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing

Year-on-year increase of all key financial figures during the first half of 2023
The Škoda Auto Group generated a significant rise in revenue during the first six months of the year, with the metric climbing by 34.5% to €13.7 billion. The return on sales remained at the same level as the previous year, a solid 6.6%. Furthermore, the carmaker was able to significantly increase its operating profit in the first six months of 2023 by 34.8% to €911 million, although the divestment of OOO Volkswagen Group Rus in May 2023 had a strong negative impact on operating profit*. During the period of January to June, the company delivered 432,200 vehicles worldwide, marking a year-on-year increase of 19.9%. Likewise, production surged in the company’s Czech plants, reaching 535,200 vehicles, which is an increase of 79,000 units compared with the first six months of 2022.

Škoda future-proofs its model portfolio
Škoda Auto continues to focus on a strong, electric model portfolio further bolstering its e-campaign. In the coming years, the car manufacturer will introduce six new all-electric models across all segments. The all-electric compact SUV Elroq will be the first one to be presented next year. Škoda has also made significant strides in other fields on its path to e-mobility: The company has already passed the milestone of 500,000 produced battery systems that are mounted in e-vehicles of Škoda, Volkswagen, Audi and Seat, at its Mladá Boleslav main plant. As the transition to e-mobility varies in different markets, Škoda will offer the whole range of drivetrain concepts. This approach allows the Czech car manufacturer to provide its customers with the best of both worlds: a wide BEV portfolio as well as modern and efficient new ICE models. In the second half of 2023, Škoda will unveil new generations of the Superb and Kodiaq, while the upgraded models of the Scala and Kamiq will be presented on 1 August. In doing so, Škoda is picking up speed in the decade of transformation towards CO2-neutral mobility, offering the most diverse portfolio of BEV, PHEV and efficient ICE models to cater to all customer needs and preferences in all markets.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Ahead of the digital world premiere of the refreshed Škoda Scala and Škoda Kamiq, the Czech automaker is releasing a series of design sketches that showcase the updated front end and headlights. Four years on from their initial production launch, Škoda Auto is introducing upgrades for its compact model and the city SUV that incorporate technical enhancements and a rejuvenated look.

The reshaped Scala headlights now extend to the grille. Strips of daytime running lights in the front headlights converge on both the lower and upper edge of the headlights, curving on the outer edge to create a distinctive new light signature.

The design of the Kamiq’s headlights has also been updated. The upper element of the signature split headlights is now slimmer and has an even more pronounced design. The main headlights beneath have grown in size and house the optional TOP LED Matrix headlights with distinctive hexagonal Matrix modules, available for the first time for the Kamiq as well as the Scala.

The digital world premiere of the refreshed Škoda Scala and Škoda Kamiq is slated for 1 August 2023.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the close collaboration between Škoda Auto as the official main partner and the Tour de France, the world’s most famous cycling race. Fans will see the Czech support cars along the route and on TV worldwide. The fleet of 209 vehicles is almost completely electrified; 207 cars have hybrid or all-electric drives. Race director Christian Prudhomme will be leading the peloton in an all-electric Enyaq for the third consecutive year.

“We’re delighted to be celebrating two decades of partnership with the prestigious Tour de France. We’ve created lots of exciting content for our We Love Cycling platform, and we’ll be giving fans the chance to win professional bicycles and original Green Jerseys autographed by the racers. At the same time, we’ll be showcasing our modern model portfolio, ideal for our active contemporary explorers and underscoring our commitment to a green electric future.”

Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing

209-Vehicle support fleet gears up for 21 stages and five mountain range crossings
The 110th Tour de France will start in the Basque city of Bilbao on 1 July. The competitors can look forward to 21 stages, taking them over all five French mountain ranges. To mark the 20th anniversary of the partnership, Škoda Auto has some surprises in store for the racers and spectators for the final stage, arriving on the Champs Élysées on 23 July. The details will be disclosed soon. As the official main partner, the Czech car manufacturer is providing the organisers of the Tour de France with 209 support vehicles, 207 of which have hybrid or all-electric drivetrains. The Race Director will head the peloton in the Red Car – a specially modified all-electric Enyaq Sportline iV: It has six aerials, a flag holder, a special horn, advertising banners, five radio circuits and a sunroof. VIP guests will be able to enjoy the action on the track in a Superb L&K. Additionally, Škoda Auto will be sponsoring the Green Jersey again, awarded to the race’s top sprinter. Trophies designed by Škoda will be presented to the overall and points classification winners.

Stories on social media and in the online magazine We Love Cycling
To mark the 20th anniversary of Škoda Auto’s partnership, cycling race fans around the world can delve into the history of the Tour de France and its evolution and can relive significant moments in the online magazine We Love Cycling. The magazine is also hosting a four-round competition, giving fans the chance to win professional bicycles and original Green Jerseys autographed by the racers. Additionally, Škoda Auto is collaborating with the British cyclist Cameron Jeffers. Enthusiasts can follow him on social media for an exclusive look behind-the-scenes.

Škoda Auto returns as the main partner of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
Once the Škoda support vehicles have accompanied the Tour de France peloton to the finish line, the baton will be passed to the women competing in the second year of Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. From 23 to 30 July, they will cover 956 kilometres across eight stages. Having supported last year’s inaugural race, Škoda Auto is returning as the event’s main partner this year.

Supporting cycling takes Škoda Auto back to its roots
Besides the Tour de France, Škoda Auto also supports other significant cycling events like Vuelta a España and the amateur competition L’Etape. Škoda Auto is symbolically pedalling full circle in a fitting tribute to its founders, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, who started out manufacturing bicycles in 1895 and launched their first car a decade later.

Q&A with Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France

How important is the role of the lead car to ensure the race runs smoothly?
Each car has a vital role in the smooth running of the race. Whether it be a Director or a Commissaire car, everyone plays their role to ensure the safe running of the Tour de France for all the parties involved. Car number 1 is a sort of control tower that receives all the information of what is happening on the race route before the arrival of the riders.

How do you work with Škoda to adjust the cars to support you in the specific roles?
Škoda is an important partner and plays a key and obvious role in the organisation of the Tour de France due to the fact that it is an event where we are almost constantly on the move. We ensure to collect our feedback and share it with Škoda so they can best adapt (if needed) their vehicles for the very specific usage that we have on the Tour de France.

Q&A with Gilles Maignan, Driver of Race Direction Car Number 1

Background information: The Race Direction Car Number 1 is driven by two-time French time trial champion, Gilles Maignan. Maignan retired from the sport in 2001 and was asked by Christian Prudhomme to be his driver after he had previously driven him in a VIP car during Christian Prudhomme’s days working for French TV.

Professional cyclists are often recruited to drive inside the race as they know how to anticipate and react according to the movements of the cyclists and peloton.

What are the best car developments over the years that have benefited you?
The switch to automatic gearboxes has really simplified the driving from inside a cycling race, especially for uphill portions. Also, the dashboard on the Superb shows exactly how many kilometres you have driven to the first decimal, which is very important in a cycling race to know how far you are from the finish. We have recently switched to hybrid vehicles which allows me to be in electric mode between the Fictive Start and Real Start of each stage, which is appreciated by the riders who have to stay right behind me on this section.

How does it feel to lead the peloton?
It changes a bit from back when I was a rider. I have an important responsibility to lead out the best drivers in the biggest professional cycling race in the world and my job is to help Christian Prudhomme ensure a safe race for everyone, including the spectators.

How do the cars communicate with each other and how has it changed?
This is done through radio communication as it has proven to be the most effective and direct way to communicate, especially when you reach some very remote areas of France where telephone signal can be scarce.

Are there any speed limits that need to be adhered to?
Yes, we cannot go over 50 mph (80 km/h) except for the downhills if a rider is catching up to me. However, the main rule imposed by the UCI is that we cannot go over 12mph (20km/h) faster than the speed of riders.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

The Škoda Sport, built on the reliable ‘Tudor’ platform, took part in the renowned 24-hour Le Mans race in 1950. This year, the meticulously restored original model is returning to the famous circuit at the vintage Le Mans Classic 2023, where the ‘Pancake’ – a nickname inspired by its low, aluminium body – will once again bear its original starting number 44.

24-hour Le Mans 1950: Impressive performance from the ‘Pancake’
In September 1949, the two-seater Škoda Sport made its grand debut at the Czechoslovak Grand Prix in Brno. It combined the proven technology of the ‘Tudor’ with a sleek, all-aluminium, pontoon-shaped body, earning it the affectionate nickname ‘Pancake’. Powered by a four-cylinder 1089 cm³ engine, this unique racer produced 42 hp (31 kW) at 5100 rpm, leading it to success in the up-to-1100 cm³ class.

To boost Škoda’s standing in the French and Benelux markets, where the ‘Tudor’ was already very popular, the brand decided to enter the 18^th staging of the famed endurance race, the 24-hour Le Mans in 1950. To comply with the 24-hour race regulations, the ‘Pancake’ was fine-tuned; additional headlights were added for night stages, and openings were incorporated into the front grille to enhance drum brake cooling. Even with a wheelbase extended to 2150 mm for enhanced stability, the vehicle’s weight, complete with tools and spare parts, never exceeded 700 kg. The performance of the water-cooled four-cylinder 1089 cm³ engine, originally 32 hp (23.5 kW) at 4200 rpm, was boosted thanks to a higher compression ratio and a racing fuel mix of petrol, ethanol, and acetone, allowing it to reach up to 50 hp (37 kW) at 5200 rpm. Equipped with 15-inch Barum diagonal tyres, a PAL 12V electrical installation, and other components, the Škoda Sport achieved speeds of up to 140 km/h. Its low fuel consumption of around 12 litres per 100 km was a major advantage, minimising time spent refuelling during the race.

Factory crew Václav Bobek and Jaroslav Netušil embarked on the traditional Circuit de la Sarthe on 24 June 1950. Racing in the under-1100 cm³ category, they claimed 2^nd position and climbed their way up to 5^th place overall based on the performance coefficient. However, after 13 of the 24 hours, their hope for a spectacular finish was dashed by a trivial technical failure: a cracked piston pin circlip. Little did anyone know that this would be the last start for a Czech car with a Czech crew in the 24-hour Le Mans for many years. The tense political climate of the ‘Cold War’ thwarted plans to deploy a pair of modernised Škoda Sports in the 1951 race.

Le Mans Classic 2023: Up to 7000 rpm
The Škoda Sport is making a comeback to the Circuit de la Sarthe for the vintage race, Le Mans Classic, first held in the summer of 2002. Only models that competed in the original 24-hour race are eligible. This event includes a series of races featuring models from 1923 to 1981, divided into six basic and several special categories. Each category is allotted 2 hours and 9 minutes, split into three 43-minute races. Halfway through each race, there is a pit stop for a driver change. The final race starts in the traditional ‘Le Mans’ style, with drivers running from a designated spot to their cars on the starter’s signal, before starting their engines and hitting the track.

The 2022 Le Mans Classic saw the debut of one of the two ‘Pancakes’ that had originally participated in the 24-hour Le Mans 1950. The meticulously restored car was manned by the team of Stanislav Kafka and Michal Velebný. The vehicle finished 47^th and ranked 43^rd out of 74 starting crews in its class based on a coefficient that takes power and engine capacity into account.

The Škoda Sport remains true to its original design, relying on original lever shock absorbers and worm steering. In brake testing, the four-cylinder engine clocked up to 7000 rpm. On Friday, 30 June 2023, the class 2 qualifying will begin at 14:00, featuring cars manufactured between 1949 and 1956. The Škoda Sport, manned by the Kafka/Velebný team, will once again bear its original starting number 44.

Host of festivities
The appeal of the Le Mans Classic vintage race is enhanced by the 100th-anniversary celebrations of the legendary 24-hour race. A grand display awaits spectators, with over 800 historic cars, representatives from all 17 inaugural brands, and a collection of nearly 90 cars – including 65 victorious models from past Le Mans races – marking the Le Mans Classic centenary.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

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