Foundation Stone for Skoda Auto's New Technology Centre Laid

Foundation Stone for Škoda Auto's New Technology Centre Laid

November 13, 2006 -- Volkswagen Group BOD Chairman Volkswagen Bernd Pischetsrieder, Škoda Auto BOD Chairman Detlef Wittig, Škoda Auto Board Member responsible for technological development Harald Ludanek and the Czech Republic's Minister for Regional Development Petr Gandalovič laid the foundation stone for Škoda Auto's new technology centre in Mladá Boleslav today. The construction of the new technology centre is part of Škoda Auto's long-term technological development reinforcement plan and also part of the company's global business development strategy. The investment is becoming a need, because Škoda is extending its product portfolio with new models (such as the already launched and successful Roomster and the Škoda Yeti that the company is planning to launch in a foreseeable future), technological and legislative requirements are growing and so are customers' demands.

Commenting upon the event, Volkswagen Group BOD Chairman Bernd Pischetsrieder said: “Škoda Auto has made enormous progress over the past few years in terms of product development, the quality of vehicles, as well as the number of vehicles sold. The new Škoda Roomster launched successfully this year is the company's fourth model line. In addition, further new “derivatives” are going to be added to each of the model lines, such as the latest Škoda Octavia Scout and the Škoda Praktik. Wishing to continue developing state-of-the-art high-quality vehicles also in the future, we are going to reinforce Škoda's technical development unit, make it part of our portfolio of eighteen development centres located all over the world and equip it with latest technology.“

Harald Ludanek, Škoda Auto Board Member responsible for technological development, says that „the Volkswagen Group is going to invest altogether EUR 38 million in the project of extending Škoda Auto's existing technological development facility and building the new technology centre. The area used for technological development operations is going to be enlarged by about 70% and the initiative will also provide new job opportunities, particularly for mechanical and electrical engineers and other highly-qualified specialists. Škoda Auto is also going to intensify its cooperation with selected technology-oriented universities and colleges in the Czech Republic that already work on a number of projects for us. The projects involve, for example, engine development, aerodynamics, virtual reality and diagnostics & testing of automotive electronics.“

The new technology centre is going to be built on a site used for industrial & warehousing operations in the past, right next to Škoda Auto's current technological development facility. Old buildings that used to be on the site and that do not meet today's requirements for the new operation have been removed. Installations of support piles and foundation structures are going to start right after the foundation stone ceremony. As the site is located in a flood zone, the whole building is going to be supported on piles – as a result, the ground floor can be used as a parking area for 300 test and company vehicles. The whole plant is going to be completed by the end of 2008, then equipped with appropriate technology and put into full operation in mid-2009. The technology centre premises are going to include office space, laboratories and workshops. Key operations will include development operations regarding automotive electronics and electric components, chassis and engine development, test operations such as acoustic tests and noise tests, solar simulation tests, tests in air-conditioned chambers and light tunnel tests.

Besides building the brand new technology centre, Škoda Auto is going to adapt and partly modernise its current technological development site and infrastructure. The offices of the brand's technological management, as well as the company's body design and development shops, prototype shops, design centre, virtual reality studio and other specialised operations will thus remain in the existing premises. Škoda Auto's current technological development facility and its new technology centre are going to be linked with a bridge.

The construction of the new technology centre is a great opportunity for Škoda Auto, the town of Mladá Boleslav, as well as the entire region. The project is reinforcing Škoda Auto's competence within the scope of the Group's global research operations and makes it possible to follow up the Czech Republic's hundred-year tradition of car development and manufacturing. As a result, Mladá Boleslav, the home town of Škoda Auto, will have a fully fledged vehicle manufacturing centre with state-of-the-art equipment and its own development operations also in the future.


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