#ExploreŠkoda Podcast

Mladá Boleslav, 21 August 2024 – On Sunday, 18 August, the third iteration of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift concluded with the eighth stage, a challenging mountain stage from Le Grand-Bornand to Alpe d’Huez. The overall winner was Katarzyna Niewiadoma, while Marianne Vos clinched the points classification. During the award ceremony, Johannes Neft, Škoda Auto Board Member for Technical Development, presented her with the green crystal trophy created by the Škoda Design department. Škoda Auto was the main partner of the race for the third time, providing the organisers with 70 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The fully electric Škoda Enyaq served as the ‘Red Car’ for Race Director Marion Rousse. This year, the partnership with the organising body A.S.O. was extended until 2028, encompassing 20 major cycling races for both men and women.

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Mladá Boleslav, 20 August 2024 – The all-new Škoda Elroq brings a fresh perspective to sustainable automotive design with its innovative use of interior materials like Recytitan and Technofil. In line with the brand’s Modern Solid design language, the Elroq’s interior emphasises simplicity, spaciousness, and clean lines. At the same time, the selected materials underscore Škoda’s commitment to environmental protection and reducing the CO2 footprint of its vehicles: the seats and upholstery fabrics are made from recycled plastic bottles and, for the first time, recycled post-consumer clothing. These are carefully reprocessed into high-quality new yarns and fabrics for the Elroq. The Czech car manufacturer thus takes the next step towards further realising its sustainability goals. 

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Mladá Boleslav, 13 August 2024 – Škoda Auto served as the official partner to the Prague Pride Festival for the third consecutive year. Through this partnership, the Czech carmaker emphasises its commitment to respect, acceptance, equity, diversity and mutual understanding. As in previous years, Škoda employees also took part in the Pride Parade – the highlight of the Festival – including members of Škoda’s employee resource group (ERG), Škoda Proud. This year marked a special milestone with the Škoda Auto Company Brass Orchestra providing the musical backdrop for the first time. Throughout the Festival week, Prague Pride highlighted critical issues and the needs of the LGBTQ+ community through a diverse range of programmes aiming to amplify their voices.

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Mladá Boleslav, 8 August 2024 – Škoda Auto is the official main partner of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift for the third consecutive year. From 12 to 18 August, 154 riders in 22 teams will embark on a 950 km route across eight stages through the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Škoda Auto is providing the organisers with 70 electric and plug-in hybrid Škoda vehicles. Race Director Marion Rousse will oversee the event from an all-electric Enyaq, which will be serving as a Red Car. Fans can stay up-to-date with the latest news from the peloton and behind-the-scenes insights on the WeLoveCycling social media channels, with posts shared by Polish rider Katarzyna ‘Kasia’ Niewiadoma.

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Painting car bodies is a highly sophisticated process that is continuously evolving. One of the most advanced paint shops in Europe is situated in Mladá Boleslav. What sets it apart? How does the painting process unfold? Which stage is the most challenging? Pavel Saska, Paint Shops Process Planning Coordinator at Škoda Auto, provides the answers.

Mladá Boleslav, 2 August 2024 – Škoda Auto achieved solid sales and financial results in the first six months of 2024, proving its resilience and flexibility amid a challenging market environment. The key financial figures underscore the brand’s strong position: sales revenue of €13.652 billion remains comparable to H1 2023 (-0.7%); operating profit rose to €1.149 billion (2023: +26.1%); return on sales increased to 8.4% (6.6%); net cash flow totalled €1.408 billion (+135.8%). The positive development in operating profit is largely due to a better mix of cars sold, favourable exchange rate effects, and the consistent implementation of the Next Level Efficiency+ programme. The increase in cash flow stems from higher operating profit and improved working capital. The automaker delivered 448,600 vehicles from January to June, 3.8% higher than in the same period last year. The Octavia was once again the brand’s bestseller, with deliveries up by 24.1%, while the all-electric Enyaq remains one of the best-selling BEVs overall in key markets like Germany. In recent months, Škoda significantly updated its broad portfolio, including efficient ICE models as well as plug-in hybrids, mild-hybrids and fully electric models. For the first time, Škoda rose to fourth position in European registrations, proving this balanced approach resonates with customers. This autumn, Škoda Auto will be introducing the fully electric Elroq model in the compact SUV category, the largest sub-segment in Europe by volume.

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Škoda Auto's portfolio has expanded with the all-electric model Elroq. This attractive new compact SUV stands out with its new design language Modern Solid, spaciousness, and agility. Elroq is ideal for both city driving and beyond. We discussed its design, advanced technologies and assistance systems with Elroq Project Manager Radek Špic.

Mladá Boleslav/Nice, 22 July 2024 - A camouflaged Škoda Elroq, the brand’s latest all-electric model to be unveiled this autumn, joined the final-stage time trial of this year's 111th edition of the Tour de France to accompany the riders. The overall winner, Tadej Pogačar, received the popular crystal glass trophy created by Škoda Design, and Škoda Auto CEO Klaus Zellmer presented a green crystal trophy to Biniam Girmay, the points classification winner. Škoda Auto has been supporting the Tour for twenty-one years now, and this partnership including providing the official fleet has been extended to last until 2028. The brand is currently a partner of 20 top cycling events, including the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift since 2022.

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Mladá Boleslav, 10 July 2024 – Top ratings for the all-new models Škoda Kodiaq and Superb: Both models have achieved the maximum five stars in the independent Euro NCAP crash safety reference test. The Škoda Kodiaq achieved 84% of the total maximum points, while the Škoda Superb achieved 87% of the total maximum points. This result continues the string of top ratings for the Czech carmaker, even under the more stringent assessment criteria introduced in 2023. Each new Škoda model since 2008 has achieved a five-star rating.

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Mladá Boleslav, 10 July 2024 – Škoda Motorsport has now sold 100 vehicles of its latest rally model, the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. The 100th vehicle was handed over to Romanian driver Andrei Gîrtofan, the front runner of the Romanian championship, during a small ceremony held at the team’s head office in Mladá Boleslav.

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