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Škoda Auto produced its one-millionth battery system at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav. The carmaker has been manufacturing high-voltage traction batteries since 2019, when it launched battery production for the Superb iV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Currently, the company is focused exclusively on producing larger batteries for fully electric vehicles based on the MEB platform; two assembly lines achieve a combined daily output of 1,500 units. These batteries, with capacities ranging from 55 to 91 kWh (net capacity 52 to 86 kWh), are installed in the Škoda Enyaq and Škoda Elroq as well as other Volkswagen Group brands, such as Volkswagen, SEAT/CUPRA and Audi.

“Reaching the milestone of one million battery systems made by Škoda Auto for Volkswagen Group vehicles testifies to the dedication of our team and the close collaboration among the different brands. This achievement also highlights our commitment to sustainable mobility and our contribution to driving the industry’s transformation towards a greener future. With determination, we are now taking the next steps: Construction of an additional battery system facility in Mladá Boleslav is already underway.”

Andreas Dick, Škoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics

One million battery systems from Mladá Boleslav for Volkswagen Group models
Škoda Auto has been producing high-voltage battery systems since September 2019, when the assembly of traction batteries was launched for the plug-in hybrid Superb iV model. In May 2022, the Mladá Boleslav plant started manufacturing battery systems for all-electric vehicles based on the MEB platform. These systems are used in the Škoda Enyaq and the new SUV Elroq, as well as in Volkswagen, Audi, and SEAT/CUPRA models. The production milestone coincided with the launch of the Group’s e-mobility info hub, ‘Enter Electric!’, offering technical details and providing customers with deeper insights into the benefits of electromobility. Currently, Škoda Auto focuses exclusively on producing MEB systems in Mladá Boleslav.

In 2023, the production facilities in Mladá Boleslav were expanded with a second assembly line, increasing the total daily capacity to 1,500 battery systems. Škoda Auto is also investing significantly in the necessary transformation of its operations, including digitalising its organisational processes and further employee training, for example. To date, the company has successfully upskilled over 28,000 employees to meet the demands of electromobility.

Each shift involves approximately 90 employees working in a production area of around 10,500 m². In addition, 82 fully automated robots handle tasks such as managing particularly heavy components. One battery for
MEB-based models is completed every 60 seconds. When unloaded from the production line, each battery weighs approximately 490 kilograms (82 kWh).

The lithium-ion batteries manufactured in Mladá Boleslav feature a modular design, enabling the production of a wide range of high-voltage batteries. These consist of 8 to 13 modules with 16 to 26 cells, providing a capacity of 55 to 91 kWh (net capacity: 52 to 86 kWh).

Unique production technology: tomographic centre
This June, Škoda Auto opened a state-of-the-art facility to optimise the quality control process of the final assembled batteries. The unique system uses computed tomography (CT) technology, capable of capturing intricate internal details as small as 4 microns (four-thousandths of a millimetre).

This technology provides highly detailed imaging of internal battery components, allowing potential irregularities in individual parts to be identified without dismantling the entire battery system. Moreover, the system can be used to examine cells that have already been in operation.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

 125 years ago, on 18 November 1899, the Laurin & Klement Slavia motorcycles types A and B were showcased in a riding presentation in Prague. Just under four years since its founding, the Mladá Boleslav-based bicycle manufacturer introduced these modern, technically refined motorcycles, which greatly diversified its product range. Positioning the engine within the frame rather than above the front wheel lowered the centre of gravity, which both improved the handling and protected the engine components. Other features included innovative electric ignition and a carburettor designed in-house. Commercial and sporting successes with motorcycles paved the way for the Mladá Boleslav brand’s first automobile, the L&K Voiturette A, in 1905.

A bold beginning
Mechanic Václav Laurin and bookseller Václav Klement founded the ‘Slavia’ bicycle workshop in Mladá Boleslav just before Christmas 1895. The success of their modern, high-quality products allowed them to transition to more efficient factory production, which accelerated the expansion of their range. In the autumn of 1898, Václav Klement set his sights on the emerging motorcycle segment. By spring 1899, L&K was offering bicycle owners an auxiliary petrol engine, but it soon became clear that the future lay in fully-fledged motorcycles – and Laurin & Klement dedicated themselves to developing them.

Unique technical solutions
The intuitive technician Václav Laurin rejected the prevailing concept of positioning the petrol engine directly above the powered front wheel for his motorcycle, as it did not meet his standards for handling and reliability. He addressed these issues by placing the engine centrally within the frame, closer to the motorcycle’s centre. This not only improved the weight distribution but also protected the single-cylinder engine, fuel tank with an evaporative carburettor, and ignition system from mechanical damage with a tubular frame structure. This design later became the global standard. Additionally, Laurin replaced the previously used platinum tube heated by an external flame with his own electromagnetically based ignition system.

On Saturday, 18 November 1899, the first two single-cylinder L&K Slavia motorcycles were officially unveiled at the cycling track in Prague-Bubny: the Type A with a 184 cc engine producing 1.25 hp (0.9 kW), priced at 460 guldens, and the more powerful Type B with 240 cc and 1.75 hp (1.3 kW) for 500 guldens. The rear wheel was driven by a leather belt, with speeds reaching 30 km/h and 40 km/h, respectively. The new models were a great success in foreign markets, including the United Kingdom and Germany. The motorcycles earned such a strong reputation that from 1904, Slavia single- and twin-cylinder models were manufactured under license in Dresden as ‘Germania’. That same year, L&K introduced the Type CCCC, one of the world’s first four-cylinder motorcycles. This series of achievements culminated in victory at the unofficial motorcycle world championship in Dourdan, Paris (1905).

The shift to automobiles
At the height of their motorcycle era, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement were already setting their sights on automobile development. In April 1905, a new one-litre two-cylinder engine was unveiled in Prague, making its debut under the bonnet of the first L&K automobile, the Voiturette A, later that autumn. Motorcycle production in Mladá Boleslav ceased in 1910, with an estimated 3,500 to 4,500 units built. Models such as the 1902 Type B, the 1904 Type L, and the 1906 twin-cylinder motorcycle CCD are on display at the Škoda Museum in Mladá Boleslav.

In 1907, the company presented the luxurious open-top L&K FF (1907) – the first inline eight-cylinder in Central Europe. Around the same time, in collaboration with electrical engineering pioneer František Křižík, it developed a hybrid vehicle based on the Laurin & Klement E four-cylinder, equipped with two DC electric motors. The impressive 125-year tradition of engine development and manufacturing in Mladá Boleslav, which began with the Type A and B motorcycle models in 1899, continues to this day.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Two of Škoda’s newest arrivals have been honoured in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year Awards. The all-new Superb and Kodiaq, which arrived in the UK earlier this year, were both recognised as exceptional offerings in their respective classes with the Superb topping its category and the Kodiaq winning a ‘Highly Commended’ accolade. In selecting its winners, the Carwow jury considered more than 100 new models before awarding just 13 category winners.

Leading the way for Škoda was the all-new, fourth-generation Suberb, which was named as Car of the Year in Carwow’s Comfortable Cruiser category. The judging panel praised the new model for its exceptional practicality and long-distance comfort.

The new, second-generation Kodiaq also impressed the Carwow judges and was awarded a coveted Highly Commended honour in the Adventurers’ Choice Award category. The panel recognised the new Kodiaq’s remarkably broad skillset, all-wheel drive ability and comfort. The reviewing team also praised the performance and efficiency of the new Plug-in Hybrid model, commenting: “Family SUVs didn't get any better than the last Kodiaq - and this new model looks like it'll be even better. The plug-in hybrid model will be the best bet for company car drivers and could well prove to be a real money-saver if you regularly charge it up. It’ll do more than 60 miles on battery power alone, and can even fast-charge, making it a really useful proposition for those who want a taste of the EV life but can’t or don’t want to go full electric.”

Despite having only arrived in the UK this summer, Škoda’s new Superb and Kodiaq models have already won some of the biggest accolades in the industry. Both models have taken category wins in the prestigious Carbuyer Awards and Auto Express New Car Awards, continuing the winning streaks of their predecessors. 

Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

The Škoda Octavia Combi RS has been awarded the coveted 2024 Golden Steering Wheel in the mid-sized car category. In a first step, readers of German “Auto Bild” and the country’s largest-selling national Sunday newspaper “Bild am Sonntag” voted Škoda’s bestselling model series’ sporty range-topper into the top three out of 16 cars in this category. A jury of experts then subjected these three finalists to a challenging test drive on the German Lausitzring race track. This victory marks the Czech car manufacturer’s ninth Golden Steering Wheel win. Škoda Auto CEO Klaus Zellmer accepted the accolade at yesterday’s awards ceremony in Berlin.

“Škoda always strives to give our customers more than they expect, and this illustrious award from Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag readers and the expert jury reflects that ambition. I’m grateful. Our bestseller Octavia is a true icon of our brand, consistently scoring points for typical Škoda virtues: spaciousness, practicality, and an excellent
price-performance proposition. These characteristics have helped make the Octavia Combi the best-selling estate car in Europe last year and in the first half of 2024. The fourth generation of the model continues on this path, with the Octavia Combi RS as the sportiest version. I’m honoured to have driven it up onto the awards ramp!”

Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO

Octavia Combi RS triumphs over 15 competitors
This year saw 78 new cars compete for one of the coveted Golden Steering Wheel awards. Each manufacturer was able to nominate up to three models. The readers of “Auto Bild” and “Bild am Sonntag” then decided which of these would ultimately make it into the final round with expert test drives on the Lausitzring. Vehicles competed in seven different categories. 16 new models entered the field in the mid-sized segment. The Škoda Octavia Combi RS wowed readers with its overall package and was awarded a ticket to the finals at the Lausitzring. During the demanding test drives, the bestselling model series’ sporty range-topper also impressed the 21-strong jury of racing drivers, journalists and celebrities with its driving characteristics. The judges included rally world champion Sébastien Ogier and motorsport legend Hans-Joachim Stuck, a former Formula 1 driver and Le Mans winner. The vehicles had to score points in numerous areas such as brake feel, acceleration, agility, steering and many more.

Škoda Octavia Combi RS: successful overall package delights readers and customers
The Octavia Combi RS offers 195 kW (265 hp) of power. It has a 7-speed automatic DSG transmission and delivers a top speed of 250 km/h. Its turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit comes from the EA 888 engine family. The top version of Škoda’s bestseller, which has sold over seven million units to date, features black exterior accents and the RS Design Selection for the interior. The equipment includes LED Matrix beam headlights, heated sports seats and a modern infotainment system incorporating ChatGPT for enhanced voice assistant functionality. Representing an excellent value proposition, the Octavia Combi RS is equally suitable as a comfortable fleet vehicle and as a versatile family car.

Ninth Golden Steering Wheel in total for Škoda
The first Golden Steering Wheel was awarded by “Bild am Sonntag” in 1976. In 2009, the German Sunday paper started awarding the prize in collaboration with the “Auto Bild” car magazine. This year’s success for the Octavia Combi RS marks Škoda’s ninth victory in the automotive competition. The Czech car maker received its first Golden Steering Wheel for the first-generation Fabia in 1999, with the successor repeating this feat in 2007. The second Octavia generation won in 2004, while the second-generation Superb received the trophy in 2008. In 2017, the Karoq left behind its competitors and in 2019, the Kamiq was honoured with the coveted award. In 2021, the Golden Steering Wheel went to the Enyaq, followed a year later by its coupé variant, the Enyaq Coupé RS.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com