#ExploreŠkoda Podcast

Škoda has just celebrated 125 years of producing internal combustion engines – the anniversary was the end of last year. Over that time, they’ve manufactured more than 15 million engines. And even in this era of gradual electrification, Škoda maintains a high level of expertise in petrol and diesel engines. In 2023, Volkswagen entrusted the brand with the development of petrol engines of up to 1.6 litres for the entire group. 

So what future lies ahead for the internal combustion engine? Does it still have one? And how will emission restrictions and regulations like Euro 7 affect its fortunes?

In today’s #ExploreŠkoda podcast, one of the most authoritative figures in engine development at Škoda - the Head of Chassis and Powertrain Development Martin Hrdlička - will answer these and more questions.  

And incidentally, the name Hrdlička has a historical connection with Škoda Auto; a member of the Hrdlička family has been involved in engine development at Škoda for much of its aforementioned 125-year history.

Mladá Boleslav/Paris, 5 February 2025 – Škoda Auto is marking its 130th anniversary at the Rétromobile classic car exhibition in Paris. In partnership with Škoda France, the Czech car manufacturer is exhibiting 16 vehicles across three different centuries of automotive history, offering a journey through the company’s heritage. As one of the world’s most prestigious classic car shows, Rétromobile attracts around 130,000 international visitors.

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Mladá Boleslav, 30 January 2025 – Škoda Auto entered the highly dynamic Indian market 25 years ago: In January 2000 the Czech car manufacturer laid the foundation stone for its plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad until 2022) and was the first Volkswagen Group brand to establish a presence on the local market. The Škoda Octavia became the first model assembled locally. To date, India has become a key market in Škoda’s internationalisation plans, helping the company to effectively leverage existing sales potential in the ASEAN region, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. On behalf of the Volkswagen Group, Škoda Auto has been spearheading all activities in the region jointly since 2018. Today, the brand developed and produces three models locally in India for India, based on the localised MQB A0–IN platform: the Kushaq, the Slavia, and, most recently, the Kylaq compact SUV, which expands the line-up into the popular sub-4 metre segment.

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Mladá Boleslav, 23 January 2025 – In 2024, Škoda Auto manufactured over 925,000 vehicles at its global production facilities, a year-on-year increase of 4.2%. Additionally, the company produced more than 280,000 battery systems for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles across the Volkswagen Group, over 1 million transmissions and nearly 500,000 engines. The main plant in Mladá Boleslav accounted for the share of this success by producing 575,000 Škoda vehicles. In 2024, production of a record number of new and refreshed models began, including the Scala, Kamiq, Kylaq, Octavia and Kodiaq model series. The company also continued to strengthen its international operations: capacity at the Pune plant in India was expanded for the Kylaq compact SUV, Škoda’s third model made in India for India. Additionally, preparations for vehicle assembly in Vietnam were finalised, and Kodiaq SKD production started in Kazakhstan.

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Mladá Boleslav, 22 January 2025 – Škoda Auto has launched series production of its all-electric Elroq at the company’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav. This compact SUV rolls off a flexible assembly line alongside the new Škoda Enyaq and the Octavia. To accommodate a daily output of up to 600 Elroq units, part of the Octavia’s production was relocated to the Kvasiny plant last year. Positioned as one of the most affordable offerings in its segment across Europe, the Elroq reaches price parity with its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart in several markets. It shares the same MEB platform as the Enyaq, which became one of Europe’s bestselling fully electric vehicles (EVs) last year.

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Mladá Boleslav, 17 January 2025 – The fourth-generation Superb Hatch will soon be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Configurators for the new addition to the all-new Superb line-up will open in various markets over the coming weeks. Pairing a 1.5 TSI engine with an electric motor, the system delivers a combined output of 150 kW (204 hp). The Superb Hatch iV offers an all-electric range of more than 120 kilometres (WLTP), and its battery can be charged from 10% to 80% at DC fast charging stations in just 26 minutes. Production of the Superb Hatch iV will launch in the second quarter of 2025.

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Mladá Boleslav, 15 January 2025 – Škoda Auto achieved a strong sales performance in 2024, delivering 926,600 vehicles to customers worldwide – a year-on-year increase of 6.9% despite a very dynamic market environment. Germany remained the company’s largest market, with 187,100 vehicles delivered, representing an increase of 29,200 cars compared to 2023. Significant absolute increases were also recorded in Türkiye (8,600), the United Kingdom (8,400), Poland (7,500), and Spain (6,200). The updated Octavia maintained its status as Škoda’s top-selling model, with 215,700 units delivered (+12.4%). Despite increasing competition and an industry-wide slowdown in demand for fully electric vehicles, the Enyaq series attracted strong customer interest. Škoda continued to roll out its global showroom update in line with the new corporate identity, transforming over 230 dealerships to date. Entering 2025, the brand is poised for further growth with its youngest and most comprehensive product portfolio yet, spanning 12 model series. This includes the all-electric and affordable Elroq SUV, the new, popular Enyaq and the Kylaq compact SUV, which is set to boost sales in the Indian market. 

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It’s a new year and a new Enyaq – the latest facelift features a host of
modifications including a new Tech-Deck face, a new Light Band,
enhanced aerodynamics and an increased range of more than 590
kilometres.

But there’s also a major upgrade on the inside – this latest Enyaq is now
rocking the SW5.4 software platform, and that brings with it a whole
range of improvements and new possibilities in digital connectivity for
the driver, from intelligent charging to navigation to battery preheating.
And after all modern EVs are so much more than vehicles designed to
get us from A to B – they’re carriers of software, computers on
wheels that can be controlled remotely.

So who better to talk to about all this than František Budinský, a
specialist in Škoda Connect services for EVs and Charging solutions
at Škoda.

Mladá Boleslav, 6 January 2025 – Škoda is kicking off its 130th anniversary celebrations with the world premiere of the new Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé. Scheduled for Wednesday, 8 January at 10:00 CET, the reveal will take place on Škoda’s official YouTube channel. A comprehensive press kit on the brand’s new all-electric bestseller will also be available for download on the Škoda Storyboard.

Mladá Boleslav, 17 December 2024 – Škoda has released exterior sketches of the new Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé, offering a first glimpse of the major design update for its all-electric best-seller. The sketches highlight key elements of the Modern Solid design language, including a reimagined front featuring an illuminated Tech‑Deck Face, Škoda lettering, and LED Matrix beam headlights integrated into a striking new bumper. Additional design highlights include Unique Dark Chrome accents and the Enyaq-exclusive Olibo Green colour. As one of Europe’s best-selling BEVs in 2024, the Škoda Enyaq family topped the sales charts in October. With the upcoming new Enyaq, Škoda aims to build on the series’ success while accelerating the electrification of its fleet by continuously enhancing and expanding its EV portfolio.

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