Škoda Auto breaks ground on new paint shop to boost flexibility, reduce emissions and support EV-ICE production at Mladá Boleslav by 2029 Škoda Auto has started construction on a next-generation paint shop at its Mladá Boleslav plant. Due to open in 2029, the facility will support EV and ICE models, enhance surface quality, and reduce emissions by 28% Ilkhan Ozsevim
Ambitious targets and big investments for India’s carmakers After a period of downsizing or complete withdrawal by some foreign OEMs, investment in Indian production is on the rise again with the domestic vehicle makers leading the way. Ian Henry
Skoda expands manufacturing operations with new Vietnam assembly plant Skoda has officially begun local assembly of its Kushaq SUV and Slavia sedan at a newly established facility in Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province. Developed in partnership with Thanh Cong Group, the plant marks a significant step in Skoda’s global expansion, strengthening its foothold in Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing automotive market. Nick Holt
India aims to become a global player in automotive manufacturing India is potentially on the cusp of becoming a major global player in vehicle production. Whether it can achieve this status will become clear in the next couple of years. The transition to EVs adds to the national challenge as the domestic players are not really leaders in this sector. Meanwhile, the Indian EV supply base is nascent and dependent on foreign investors. Ian Henry
Skoda’s Andreas Dick on driving flexible manufacturing, digitisation and the role of AI in transforming automotive production for future competitiveness Two measures are at the top of Skoda’s new production boss, Andreas Dick’s, to-do list: digitalisation and flexibility. In the interview, he also reveals what impact the weak demand for electric cars has on his area of responsibility. Yannick Tiedemann
The declaration of Martial Law in South Korea raises challenges for automotive production and global supply chains amid political upheaval The declaration of Martial Law in South Korea has thrown its critical automotive production and logisitics into uncertainty. As political tensions mount, automotive manufacturers and supply chains brace for potential major disruptions in operations and logistics Ilkhan Ozsevim
Hyundai and Skoda sign MOU on hydrogen tech collaboration Hyundai and Skoda will work together on hydrogen fuel cell technologies for mobility applications. Nick Holt
Lowering costs through sustainable manufacturing Sophisticated and complex technologies could be used to reduce costs and make manufacturing more eco-friendly, but simple solutions might be the most effective Michael Nash
VW in cooperation to develop sustainable materials for vehicle interiors Volkswagen will work with Revoltech to develop sustainable bio-based leather alternative made from industrial hemp. Nick Holt
Skoda builds updated Octavia at Kvasiny Skoda shuffles production to add Octavia to Kvasiny and free up capacity at Mlada Bolslav for Enyaq and Elroq models. Nick Holt
Impacts of global geopolitics on European production Geopolitical influences on the automotive manufacturing sector are intensifying and becoming ever more powerful. European trends cannot be looked at in isolation; their impact on the ground in Europe have their roots in wider global factors… Ian Henry
The changing shape of Europe’s automotive production operations European vehicle manufacturing is having to adapt to weakening EV demand and increasing competition. This means revising production volumes and rethinking the ICE-EV balance in the short term. Ian Henry
Antolin expands its production footprint in Asia with a new plant in India The new plant will produce lighting, HMI systems and electronics for leading automotive manufacturers in the Indian market. Nick Holt
Škoda accelerates SUV innovation with second-generation Kodiaq launch in Kvasiny The OEM has invested €49m ($53.3m) in the Kvasiny plant, Czech Republic, for the advanced production of the new-generation Kodiaq, showcasing significant advancements in SUV manufacturing. Ilkhan Ozsevim
AMS Winter 2023/24 – BMW’s battery boost Our Winter digital edition takes an in-depth look at how OEMs are getting to grips with developing and manufacturing new electric vehicles and powertrains AMS
Skoda auto unveils next chapter with production launch of fourth-generation superb at Bratislava plant, alignment with visionary Beta+ project marks a transformative milestone Efficiency meets innovation as Skoda’s flagship Superb starts production in Bratislava with goals to set new standards in automotive excellence and sustainability. Ilkhan Ozsevim
Skoda Kvasiny to become electromobility powerhouse Head of Skoda Kvasiny plant, Miloš Halbich, talks to Mike Nash about recent socioeconomic challenges, fluctuating markets and how the facility is a “crucial pillar” in the company’s global production network Michael Nash
India’s light vehicle demand is rising again, and so is manufacturing investment India has long been seen as the next big thing in automotive manufacturing, due to its growing middle class and high demand for vehicles, but it has struggled to get there. Will new investment help it realise its potential? Ian Henry
AMS Summer 2023 – JLR goes electric In our AMS Summer digital edition, we have features on JLR’s plans to transform its end-to-end industrial system, ready for new electric models, Seat’s technical upgrades to production operations and upskilling the workforce and insights into developments at Audi’s Neckarsulm plant, and more. AMS
AMS Electric Vehicles – The road to e-mobility In this latest AMS digital edition we will look closely at how manufacturers are developing and finetuning their electric powertrain technologies, platforms and production processes, with in-depth features on Skoda, GM, Ford, Volta Trucks, REE Automotive and more. AMS
Škoda sets sights on 70% EV mix by 2030, more climate-neutral plants in Czech Republic Skoda production chief and VW Group veteran Michael Oeljeklaus sets out the Czech brand’s route map to more EVs and more efficiency in this exclusive interview. Pascal Nagel
Škoda trials 5G communications in lab, anticipating roll-out to manage factories The Czech automaker is trialling the use of 5G communications as a low-latency solution to drive factory digital twins and automate some intra-plant logistics Mike Farish
Volkswagen launches battery cell-making company PowerCo PowerCo could produce enough cells for 3m electric vehicles a year by 2030 across six ‘standardised’ European gigafactories. Peter Murphy
EV battery supply chains on the move As electric vehicles become serious business for OEMs, they are reassessing their battery supply and manufacturing bases, putting their eggs in multiple baskets and taking more control of the process. Illya Verpraet Daniel Harrison
How the European automotive industry aims to build back semiconductor and chip supply OEMs, suppliers and EU officials are considering how best to develop Europe’s semiconductor manufacturing to mitigate current and future shortages, but the broad gaps at many levels – including for older, larger chips – mean there will be no magic bullet Namrita Chow
Production records set at Skoda’s domestic plants As it marks the 125th anniversary of the company, Skoda is chalking up record-breaking output Gareth Price Ian Henry
The wider scope of Skoda With new products and an expanding production network, Skoda is managing to achieve greater influence and standing despite the challenges of a changing market Ian Henry
