A ?kodA year in review - Skoda Auto

Highlights 20120708 09July 5 A successful five years in China —ŠKODA celebrates five years of successfulautomobile production in China. 60 monthsafter the start of production of the ŠKODAOctavia at Shanghai Volkswagen (SVW),the Czech manufacturer can be proud of itsimpressive performance in China, with thedelivery of around 750,000 vehicles acrossthe country. China is the largest singlemarket of ŠKODA AUTO and accounts foraround 25 per cent of global ŠKODA sales.The current number of roughly 400 localŠKODA dealerships is set to increase tomore than 600 over the medium term.August 23 Start of series production forŠKODA Rapid — ŠKODA launches productionof the new ŠKODA Rapid compactsedan at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav.Its youngest model series will be introducedonto the European markets from October.September 24 ŠKODA Rapid premieresat Paris Motor Show — The ŠKODA Rapidmakes its world debut at the Paris MotorShow. This is the first time a ŠKODA thatfully reflects the brand’s new design languagevehicle is presented to the generalpublic. The ŠKODA Rapid will play an importantrole in the ŠKODA growth strategy:Country-specific versions make it a particularlyattractive prospect for Europe and thegrowth markets of India, China and Russia.July 9 Presentation of ŠKODA Rapid inBratislava — ŠKODA presents its new modelline, the ŠKODA Rapid compact sedan, forthe first time in Vienna and Bratislava. Thenew member of the ŠKODA model family ispositioned between the ŠKODA Fabia andthe new ŠKODA Octavia. An attractive car forthe whole family, the ŠKODA Rapid will representthe ŠKODA brand in the fast-growingcompact segment.July 12 Record deliveries in first half of2012 — ŠKODA sets a new record in the firsthalf of 2012: Worldwide customer deliveriesrose 8.4 per cent between January andJune 2012 to just over 493,000 units (from454,700 units in the first half of 2011).July 27 Intensive construction duringworks holidays — As part of its growthstrategy, ŠKODA AUTO is expanding andmodernising its three Czech plants duringworks holidays. The main plant in MladáBoleslav is busy preparing the ramp-up ofnew ŠKODA models, while the Vrchlabí plantin Northern Bohemian is gearing up for productionof the DQ200 dual clutch transmission.The Kvasiny factory is also undergoingmodifications to its body shop, paint shop,assembly and other areas.August 24 Special ŠKODA Yeti modelpresented in Moscow — The specialedition ŠKODA Yeti Sochi debuts at theMoscow International Motor Show. Withall-wheel drive, a high-performance engineand seven-speed dual clutch automatictransmission, this version was speciallydeveloped to cope with the often extremeroad conditions and terrain in the Russianmarket. The special model was named afterthe city of Sochi on the Black Sea, which willhost the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.September 25 ŠKODA builds new enginetesting centre — An important milestone inengine development at ŠKODA: The foundationstone is laid for a new engine testingcentre with 21 new engine and componenttesting bays. As part of its growth strategy,ŠKODA is investing more than EUR 34million in the expansion of its existing Technologyand Development Centre in Česana,close to corporate headquarters in MladáBoleslav. This is one of the largest developmentinvestments in the Czech Republiccurrently. The first phase of constructionwill be completed in late 2013.38 2012 – A Škoda year in review