Discover New Grounds by Tomas Novotny

DISCOVER NEW GROUNDS

EDITORIAL

DEAR COLLEAGUES Our efforts have paid off. The new ŠKODA KODIAQ has successfully made its world premiere. Acceptance in the media has surpassed all expectations. We may say the same about the first customer reactions. In recent years, we have been building up the image of our brand step by step. The ŠKODA KODIAQ launches the seventh model series. Thus, we expand the offer of our models in a segment that is significantly growing around the world. ŠKODA already has a good position thanks to the YETI. With the new SUV, we will now be gaining additional market segments and customer groups, in both the private and the corporate sectors, thus strengthening our position in international markets. SUVs correspond to the current trends and meet many people’s need for an active lifestyle. It offers a successful blend of emotionality and functionality. If you wish, you can leave the paved roads for the off-road. You 2

don't need to use this option, of course, but it's good to know about it. Therefore, the KODIAQ addresses customers with the motto “Discover New Grounds”. We must fully demonstrate all the qualities of our brand even with a new and big SUV. Like other ŠKODA cars, the KODIAQ persuades with high functionality, the best space offer in its class, innovative technology, comfort, safety and, for the first time, a third row of seats. In the end, we have a car with reliable off-road driving characteristics and all advantages of a universal car. The model also stands out because of its design. Jozef Kabaň and his team managed to differentiate it significantly from our limousines, estates and hatchbacks – yet, it remained a distinctive ŠKODA car that fits perfectly both on paved roads and off-road. This way, the features of this car underline the whole brand’s profile. In the context of connectivity, we begin a new chapter: With its new

innovative infotainment, the KODIAQ is “always on”. The driver and passengers can always use online mobile services, infotainment or ŠKODA services. To sum it up: The KODIAQ discovers new horizons for our brand. Its technology, dimensions and design proudly demonstrate what ŠKODA is worth today. Over the past few months, we have elaborated the Strategy 2025 for the ŠKODA brand, its key element being to widen the model range. The SUV campaign will play a decisive role in future growth. With the KODIAQ, we extend our offer in the category, and other vehicles of this segment are already being worked on or in development. It is with sincerity that I thank all the employees of ŠKODA AUTO, who have proved their skill and spirit once again with the KODIAQ model. BERNHARD MAIER CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD ŠKODA AUTO

CONTENTS

PRODUCTION LAUNCH OF THE ŠKODA KODIAQ MODEL

SUV POPULAR ACROSS CONTINENTS

ENERGETIC DESIGN

KODIAQ MADE TO FIT

SMART BEAST 10

KODIAQ CONNECTED KODIAQ WILL BRING US NEW CUSTOMERS 19

SHOWCASE TRIUMPH

THE WAY TO THE CUSTOMER

ŠKODA EMPLOYEES DISCOVERING NEW GROUNDS

TAKE A PHOTO WITH THE BEAR

#KODIAQJETU

DISCOVER NEW GROUNDS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ŠKODA MOBIL EMPLOYEE NEWSPAPER Editor-in-chief: Tomáš Novotný Graphic design and production: Boomerang Communication Contributors: Simona Havlíková, Adéla Dvořáková, Martin Šidlák, Michal Žďárský, Kateřina Šulcová, Jindřich Novák Comes out: 31. 10. 2016

SUV POPULAR ACROSS CONTINENTS The global automotive market has been undergoing turbulent developments – some regions rose and then crumbled, while others, by contrast, came as a positive surprise. However, a certain trend has been consistent for several years: The number of SUVs sold has been growing steadily over a long period.

Worldwide over 60 million new passenger cars are sold every year, and the SUV share in the overall volume has been growing continuously. Because of their geography or the condition of their roads, some markets are natural fits for vehicles with relatively high ground clearance and fourwheel drive. For example, in South Africa, every third car sold is an SUV or a pick-up truck. Yet, the SUV’s popularity has been growing dramatically around the world. In China, the sale of sports utility vehicles increased by 46 percent the past year – more than one-third of the local market share in terms of new vehicles. In Europe, customer deliveries increased by 24 percent last year. In total, 3.2 million SUVs were sold, 4

and with a market share of 22.5 percent they became the most-sold car category. The same applies to the Czech Republic. While in 2005, 2,448 new SUVs were registered in the Czech Republic, last year the number amounted to 43,962 cars, and the market increased from 2 percent to more than 19 percent. However, the impressive numbers do not signify a trend in offroad drives. Indeed, only a small group of sport utility vehicle owners use the SUVs’ off-road credentials. Rather, they are impressed by their look, the feeling of safety they give and their practical aspect. You can just as easily go for a trip, show off at a business meeting or drive your children to school. It is the very variability of the SUV that is probably key to its secret.

WHAT DOES SUV MEAN? SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE. THESE CARS COMBINE THE ADVANTAGES OF OFF-ROAD VEHICLES, SUCH AS AN OFFROAD MODE, ROBUSTNESS, SPACIOUS INTERIOR AND BOOT, WITH THE PERKS OF PASSENGER CARS (COMFORT, MANOEUVRABILITY ON THE ROAD).

ŠKODA AND SUVs

5 REASONS FOR THE SUV’S POPULARITY

1 2 3 4 5

SAFETY When compared with common cars, they are viewed as much safer, in particular by women. Thanks to a high seating position, women drivers get a better view.

ŠKODA entered the SUV segment as early as 2009 with the launch of the first-generation YETI. The growth intentions deter-

SPACE ALL-WHEEL PRACTICAL IMAGE The interior DRIVE ASPECTS The model dimensions Although not all Seats are we choose provide ample SUVs are sold positioned gradually luggage space with 4x4 drive, higher than affects our and sufficient customers view in common reputation, comfort to them as cars hatchbacks or and lately passengers. that will not estates, hence the SUV has get stuck in a the ease of been trendy. snowdrift. They getting in. Its price has can be used for also dropped, summer holiday which means journeys, it has become drives into the affordable to a mountains wider range of during the customers. winter or a drive on unpaved roads to reach the cottage.

mined by the ŠKODA Strategy 2025 will support other models in this important segment. The new KODIAQ, soon to be available on the market, is the first evidence of that. The SUV offensive will continue. As ŠKODA CEO Bernhard Maier said: “The SUV segment models suit the brand to a T because they offer unrivalled space and a superb price-performance ratio.”

WHO LONGS TO HAVE AN SUV THE MOST? $ MOTHERS

$ YOUNG PEOPLE, AGED 17–24

IT WILL ENSURE GREATER SAFETY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

THEY IMPRESS THEIR PEERS

" ŠKODA YETI FOLLOWING ITS MARKET LAUNCH, YETI QUICKLY BECAME ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CARS IN THE COMPACT SUV CLASS. SINCE 2013, IT HAS ALSO BEEN ADJUSTED FOR ADVENTUROUS DRIVES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AND OFFERED AS THE YETI OUTDOOR. BOTH VERSIONS ARE AVAILABLE WITH A FRONT-AXLE DRIVE OR A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE.

$ ACTIVE 50-SOMETHINGS THEY CAN GET ANYWHERE THEY WANT

INCREASE OR DROP IN CAR DELIVERIES BASED ON SEGMENTS IN EUROPE, IN PERCENT (AUGUST 2016 COMPARED WITH AUGUST 2015)

+30 +11 +6 +4 +3 +2 +1 SUVs

LUXURY CARS

SUPERMINIS

COMPACT CARS

MID-SIZE CARS

SPORTS CARS

MPVs

-1

MINI CARS

–5 EXECUTIVE CARS

SOURCE; JATO DYNAMICS

ENERGETIC DESIGN The KODIAQ means not only a new market segment for the brand but also a new design dimension. Still, one can see at first glance that the car belongs to the ŠKODA family. As both an SUV model and a seven-seater, the vehicle required a specific approach during the design stage. A major challenge involved balanced proportions where three rows of seats still had to be taken into account. Designers searched for the right balance between space and dynamics.

% THE MODEL’S FACE A WIDE, THREE-DIMENSIONALLY SHAPED RADIATOR GRILLE IS VERY EXPRESSIVE AND ROBUST. NARROW, WEDGE-SHAPED HEAD LAMPS AND THE RADIATOR GRILLE FORM A SMOOTH, UNIFIED DESIGN. TOGETHER WITH THE SECOND PAIR OF LAMPS, THEY GIVE THE KODIAQ AN UNMISTAKABLE FOUR-EYED LOOK.

THE SUV WORLD TODAY IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE PAST. IN THE PAST, THE CARS LOOKED MASSIVE AND ROBUST. NOWADAYS, THEY RATHER EXPRESS A CERTAIN LIFESTYLE. CUSTOMERS’ EXPECTATIONS ARE REALLY HIGH AND ARE NOT LIMITED TO OFF-ROAD CAPABILITIES ONLY. SOME REQUIRE COMFORT OR EXPERIENCES, OTHERS WANT A CAR TO MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD. SUVS TODAY MUST HAVE BOTH A POWERFUL AND AN AESTHETIC APPEARANCE.’ JOZEF KABAŇ ŠKODA AUTO CHIEF DESIGNER 6

# TYPICAL DETAILS CRYSTALLINE DESIGN CAN BE FOUND IN THE HEAD LAMPS AND OTHER DETAILS, SUCH AS LED REAR-LIGHT CLUSTERS SHAPED IN THE TYPICAL C.

AS STRONG AS A BEAR

! THE FOUR LIGHTS AS IN OTHER MODELS, THE KODIAQ’S FRONT HEAD LAMPS FOLLOW THE FOURLAMP RULE, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BEING THEIR POSITION IS HIGHER UP. APART FROM PROTECTION WHEN DRIVING OFF-ROAD, THEY PROVIDE EASY IDENTIFICATION AT NIGHT.

# STRONG SUV CHARACTER THE KODIAQ SHOULD RADIATE ENERGY, CONFIDENCE AND ELEGANCE. AT THE SAME TIME, IT HAS TO BE IDENTIFIABLE AT FIRST GLANCE. VERTICAL SLATS OF THE RADIATOR GRILLE ARE AMONG THOSE ELEMENTS THAT IDENTIFY THE KODIAQ AS A ŠKODA FAMILY MEMBER; HOWEVER, THE NEW TWIN SLATS EMPHASISE ITS STRONG SUV PERSONALITY.

! VERTICAL LINES THE INTERIOR FEATURES DISTINCTIVE VERTICAL ELEMENTS, SUCH AS FOUR LARGE AIR VENTS. A LARGE DISPLAY DIVIDES THE DASHBOARD INTO TWO EQUAL ZONES FOR THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER.

# DESIGN ELEMENTS SHORT OVERHANGS AND A LONG WHEELBASE SUGGEST A SPACIOUS INTERIOR FOR PASSENGERS AND LUGGAGE. FENDER HEMS ARE PARTIALLY ANGULAR, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE ŠKODA SUV DESIGN LANGUAGE.

It is not as easy as it looks to find the right name for a new car. It has to be not only original but also easy to pronounce and remember and applicable around the world. Also, it must not be offensive in any language. In the past, ŠKODA very often found inspiration in Latin. This also applies to three current models that adopted the names of their predecessors. The OCTAVIA tells us it was the brand’s eighth post-war model. The SUPERB found inspiration in the Latin word for ‘splendid, sublime’. The RAPID is based on the Latin word for ‘fast’, as it was faster than the smaller POPULAR at the moment of the market launch. Names of many other ŠKODA models are also based on Latin: The FELICIA (felicitas = joy), the FAVORIT (favor = favour, popularity, fondness) etc. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. For example, the YETI was originally a working title. However, both employees and the professional community grew used to it, and there was no need to look for a new name. The KODIAQ has a very specific origin, though. The name refers to a bear living on a homonymous island near the south coast of Alaska. The written form is inspired by the language of the indigenous Alutiiq people, where the very bear is named Taq uka ’aq. The letter ‘q’ at the end of the word is a characteristic sign for names of animals. The ŠKODA KODIAQ therefore boldly says with its name that it is a robust, large and exceptionally efficient car. 7

PRODUCTION LAUNCH OF THE ŠKODA KODIAQ MODEL A new model line of the ŠKODA brand portfolio is connected to an extensive expansion and modernisation of the production facilities before the production launch in Kvasiny. On 18 October, the series production of the new SUV started. On that occasion, the village of Kvasiny was renamed to Qasiny.

‘I am really pleased with the start of production. The launch of the series production is a very emotional moment for the whole company, in particular for our colleagues from Kvasiny’, says Michael Oeljeklaus, member of the ŠKODA AUTO board for production and logistics. ‘Over the past few months, the whole team has been preparing for the start of production of our new SUV model’, he says. The most extensive modernisation in history Before the production launch of the latest ŠKODA models, ŠKODA AUTO’s production plant in Kvasiny underwent the most extensive modernisation in its history. A new body shop was built, the assembly line adjusted, and the logistics areas and paint shop extended. Kvasiny is one of three ŠKODA AUTO production plants. Around 5,900 employees work there. The production site 8

is therefore one of the largest company in the industry sector of the Hradec Králové region. Its capacity will soon grow to 280,000 cars a year. That is why the carmaker is about to employ hundreds new specialists and by 2018 will have invested CZK 7.2 billion in the production plant. Made in Kvasiny The production launch ceremony for the KODIAQ was also supported by the Kvasiny municipality that had put stickers on some of the information signs to modify the village’s name. ‘For the past few years, the “Made in Kvasiny” tag has been inextricably linked to the ŠKODA SUPERB and YETI models’, says Jiří Černý, who heads the production plant. ‘Today the new KODIAQ enters the family of our products. All the employees are proud that the very first car of this model was produced here in Qasiny’, says Jiří Černý.

‘THE LAUNCH OF THE SERIES PRODUCTION IS A VERY EMOTIONAL MOMENT FOR THE WHOLE COMPANY.’ MICHAEL OELJEKLAUS, MEMBER OF THE ŠKODA AUTO BOARD FOR PRODUCTION AND LOGISTICS

A SMART BEAST What is the ŠKODA KODIAQ actually like? A self-confident and high-quality car on the one hand, swift and elegant on the other. It will draw your attention with its design, extraordinary offer of space, innovative technologies and excellent driving features both on and off the road. It brings you 40 Simply Clever solutions, some of which are typical of high-end models. Indeed, it sets the bar in its class really high!

AREA VIEW – DIFFERENT VIEWS FROM WIDE-ANGLE CAMERAS AT THE FRONT, THE BACK AND ON THE SIDE MIRRORS ARE TRANSMITTED TO THE MAIN DISPLAY

COMES WITH UP TO NINE AIRBAGS

HEATED STEERING WHEEL

TOW ASSIST – ASSISTANT FOR REVERSING WITH A TRAILER TAKES OVER THE STEERING

LED HEADLIGHTS WITH AN INTEGRATED STRIP OF LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS

TWIN HEADLIGHTS – A DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTIC OF AN SUV BY ŠKODA

SEVEN TYPES OF WHEEL DISCS AT 17”–19”

10 METALLIC AND 4 CLASSIC COLOURS PLUS TENS OF SHADES FOR SPECIAL PAINTING

UNRIVALLED BOOT CAPACITY: 720–2,065 LITRES

7 NEW SIMPLY CLEVER SOLUTIONS 1 Electronic voice amplification – passengers in the front are heard loud and clear at the back.

LED C-SHAPED REAR LIGHTS

2 No more looking for coins, parking tickets or SD cards. Now you can put them in the holders inside the glovebox.

3 No more getting dirty! The foldable towing device is activated by a button in the luggage compartment.

PARK ASSIST WITH AUTOMATIC BRAKING

4 Door-edge protection will prevent the door from hitting the garage wall or a car parking next to you.

DYNAMIC CHASSIS CONTROL (DCC)

Electric child safety lock in the rear doors protects little passengers.

6 Sleep Comfort package – a set of practical headrests on the outer seats for comfortable sleeping.

THREE-ZONE CLIMATRONIC

7 Cup and phone holders bring comfort to passengers in the third row. 11

KODIAQ MADE TO FIT An ideal car is a little different for every customer. ŠKODA KODIAQ offers you countless equipment elements and varieties. In order to allow the customers to configure their car according to their wishes, a well-arranged visual configurator is available at cc.skoda-auto.com. It will take the customer through all the trim levels and display the current design of the car and its exact price at every step. The KODIAQ configurator was first released for Czech customers. ( VIRTUAL PEDAL CONTACT-FREE OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE BOOT LID, INCLUDING AN ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED LID

Wide range The engine offer for the ŠKODA KODIAQ includes five power trains, two TDI and three TSI engines. The displacement ranges from 1.4 to 2.0l, and the power output from 92kW (125 hp) to 140 kW (190 hp). The KODIAQ may be customised with a front-wheel drive or as a 4x4 and either a six-gear manual transmission or a DSQ gearbox with six or seven gears, depending on the selected engine. While the 2.0 TDI 110kW engine has an impressive consumption of only 12

5l per 100km, the strongest petrol engine, the 2.0 TSI 132 kW engine, will delight fans of dynamic driving. The model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 s. A well-equipped companion ŠKODA KODIAQ comes in three different trims: the basic ACTIVE, the mid-range AMBITION and the highest STYLE. The basic trim includes the maximum number of airbags, automatic dual-zone Climatronic or electric windows in the front and back. Maxi Dot

board computer, rear LED lights and remote access Connected Car services free of charge for one year cannot be missed. Series equipment also includes the Swing infotainment system with a 6.5” screen. The optional Bolero infotainment system features an 8” high-resolution touch screen and can be expanded with the Amundsen navigation. The highest version of infotainment, the Columbus navigation system, comes with an extra 64GB of memory and a DVD drive.

TRY THE OPTIONS THAT THE CONFIGURATOR ALLOWS. THE SHORTEST WAY IS VIA THIS QR CODE.

! NAVIGATION THE HIGHEST VERSION OF THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, COLUMBUS NAVIGATION WITH AN 8” TOUCH SCREEN, OFFERS CUSTOMISABLE HI-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS. ON TOP OF THAT, THE CUSTOMER GETS FREE INFOTAINMENT ONLINE SERVICE FOR THREE YEARS.

$ HEADLIGHTS THE ADVANTAGEOUS STYLE PLUS AND AMBITION PLUS PACKAGES FEATURE FULL LED HEADLIGHTS WITH AFS FUNCTION AND LED FOG LIGHTS WITH CORNER FUNCTION.

" SOUND SYSTEM AN ATTRACTIVE EQUIPMENT COMPONENT IS THE CANTON SOUND SYSTEM, WHICH HAS 10 SPEAKERS, INCLUDING A SUBWOOFER WITH A TOTAL POWER OF 575W.

" A LARGE-FAMILY VERSION KODIAQ IS THE FIRST ŠKODA TO OFFER SEATING FOR UP TO SEVEN PASSENGERS. A THIRD ROW OF SEATS IS OPTIONAL.

CONNECTED KODIAQ It is the first model by ŠKODA to include Infotainment Online and Connected Car services as part of the ŠKODA Connect solution. All these practical services provide the crew and driver maximum comfort and information about the surroundings. Coming soon in other ŠKODA models.

" SMARTLINK THE SMARTLINK SYSTEM AND INFOTAINMENT SOLUTIONS ALLOW DRIVERS TO USE THEIR MOBILE PHONE WHILE DRIVING. ALL THE INSTALLED APPS ARE CERTIFIED AS SAFE FOR VEHICLES AND COMPATIBLE WITH MIRRORLINK, APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO.

" EMERGENCY CALL

" PHONEBOX LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE GEAR STICK, THE PHONE COMPARTMENT FEATURES AN AMPLIFIED SIGNAL, AND APART FROM CONNECTION IT WIRELESSLY CHARGES PHONES WITH THE MOST COMMON QI STANDARD.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF THE CONNECTED CAR SERVICE IS THE ECALL. THE SYSTEM MAKES THE EMERGENCY CALL AUTOMATICALLY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, OR YOU CAN ACTIVATE IT YOURSELF BY PUSHING THE RED BUTTON LOCATED IN THE PANEL ABOVE THE CENTRE CONSOLE.

$ MULTIMEDIA YOU CAN CONNECT THE KODIAQ TO THE NETWORK VIA YOUR PHONE OR DOWNLOAD DATA USING THE INTEGRATED MODEM. A CUSTOMISABLE MODULE ALLOWS FOR HI-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS FOR THE CREW. THANKS TO THE WI-FI HOTSPOT, PASSENGERS CAN FREELY SURF THE WEB ON THEIR MOBILE DEVICES, PLAY VIDEOS OR SEND E-MAILS.

$ PARKING POSITION YOU CAN USE THE REMOTE ACCESS VIA CONNECTED CAR TO IDENTIFY THE LAST PARKING LOCATION OF THE CAR OR CHECK ON YOUR PHONE WHETHER THE DOOR IS CLOSED OR HOW MUCH FUEL THERE IS LEFT IN THE TANK.

" GOOGLE EARTH AND GOOGLE STREET VIEW

" WEATHER

THE GOOGLE EARTH SERVICE GIVES THE USER AN OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW SATELLITE MAPS. GOOGLE STREET VIEW DISPLAYS NOT ONLY THE DESTINATION ON THE MULTIMEDIA DEVICE BUT ALSO THE STREETS AND LOCATIONS COVERED BY THE SERVICE. THE ONLINE TRAFFIC INFORMATION FUNCTION DISPLAYS THE DENSITY OF TRAFFIC ON THE SELECTED ROUTE IN REAL-TIME. INFOTAINMENT ONLINE SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE FOR ONE YEAR AS PART OF THE PURCHASE.

THE BOARD DISPLAY SHOWS THE WEATHER NEWS FOR YOUR CURRENT LOCATION OR FOR THE DESTINATION OF YOUR TRIP. YOU CAN SEE DETAILED FORECASTS, AS WELL AS ESTIMATED RAINFALL.

AN EXHIBITION TRIUMPH The Paris Motor Show is over, the suspense has worn off, and the pulse has calmed down. It was a success in particular for ŠKODA AUTO, which was named the best stand and finished second in the ranking of the friendliest and most welcoming brands. How did that work out, and what to do to let KODIAQ truly shine? Let’s take a look behind the scenes.

Customer Journey This is another simple strategy, and one that works well, in the form of a journey. The visitor gets a card and carries out a task at the ŠKODA stand. At the end, their points are counted. Depending on how much they collected, they get a smaller or a bigger present. This form of communication leaves a mark of the brand’s existence with the people.

“AN IDEAL CONCEPT IS WHAT DIFFERENTIATES THE ŠKODA BRAND FROM OTHERS AND ATTRACTS VISITORS WHO COME TO MOTOR SHOWS ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND WE MUST ENGAGE THEM WITH OUR STORY.”

“We have to know our way around everything: technology, construction work, materials, IT and products. With exhibitions, all of this comes together to a much greater extent than anywhere else. Demands on the team are enormous; hats off to them. We infuse everything with our feel for the ŠKODA brand and its communication”, comments Lukáš Shon, exhibition coordinator from the Experience Marketing department, adding what the criteria for a high-quality exhibition concept are. Traffic Concept The stand does not necessarily have the ideal position, but one must always bear in mind how to lure people in. The right tool for this is the so-called Traffic Concept, which involves handing out vouchers to visitors, and if they decide to redeem them, they get bright-green glasses that they wear while walking around the area and thus indirectly attract the attention of others.

An entertaining way Children’s corners, where parents can drop off their young ones and go look around the exhibition area, are becoming increasingly popular. Children enjoy creative games. “We try to make things entertaining because we know that a dad and a son who become virtual opponents for a while will remember the brand better”, says Veronika Hyblerová from Experience Marketing. Interactive exhibits Interactive elements are always unique, whether it is a stand where everyone can try out connectivity in the KODIAQ or engaging people with the Tour de France. “As far as motorsport sponsorship is concerned, we worked together with the FABIA R5 team to create a 360-degree video. We shot it from the cabin and the roof and put it in the glasses so that the visitors could experience what Jan Kopecký sees on the track”, explains David Dvořák, who is responsible for interactive elements, regarding the preparation work.

production. “The car is ordered 14 to 18 weeks in advance, and the modifications involve mainly a spotless appearance and flawless functioning. Absolute details matter here. It all starts in the Body Shop and continues into Assembly, the Paint Shop and finally the care we give the car at the exhibition”, says Jaroslav Vlk, head of Vehicle Production Quality Management. Hostesses and staff Exhibitions also mean having the right people whose selection is as important for the success of the event as the preparation of the dress and elements on the “company jerseys”. Markéta Crhová, who takes care of staff recruitment in the Experience Marketing team, says: “We’re one of the few brands that have hostesses, as well as models, at the stand. We know that beauty and cars go together. Who wouldn’t want to take a photo of an amazing new car with a pretty woman?”

average number of exhibited cars

days non-stop to construct the exhibition stand km of cables are used to connect all devices

square metres is the approximate area of the stands, incl. interior space members of staff

Exhibition cars There is a clearly defined process in the Group that applies to the exhibition cars, and it is independent of the series

work here during press days people take turns to construct the stand

KODIAQ WILL ATTRACT NEW CUSTOMERS In early October, the model’s pre-sales phase was launched on the Czech market, and the first feedback is very promising. Luboš Vlček, director of ŠKODA AUTO Czech Republic, firmly believes that the dealership network will manage to reap the benefits of the company’s hard work and successfully establish the KODIAQ on the domestic Czech market.

1 KODIAQ HAD ITS WORLD PREMIERE IN BERLIN AND PARIS. HOW DO PEOPLE AROUND YOU REACT TO THE NEW PRODUCT? Very positively. Dealers are excited, and I am very glad to see the enthusiastic reactions of the so-called spontaneous clients. After the pre-sale was launched, we registered a large number of orders without customers even having seen or driven the car!

2 DO YOU THINK THAT THE KODIAQ WILL INFLUENCE SALES OF OTHER ŠKODA MODELS? The SUPERB, which is having a huge success around the world, is and will remain our flagship. However, the KODIAQ will play a dominant role in the SUV segment, where we have already gained experience with the YETI. Our sales teams have a clear objective of getting customers of competing brands. The KODIAQ should not replace any current model; it is to attract new clients and contribute to a steep growth in sales.

3 IN YOUR VIEW, WHICH ARE THE CAR FEATURES THAT WILL CONVINCE NEW CLIENTS? They will certainly be attracted by the dynamic and emotional design. We were thinking about the car concept for a long time in order for it to appeal to the widest possible range of customers. The

THE KODIAQ SHOULD NOT REPLACE ANY CURRENT MODEL; IT IS TO ATTRACT NEW CLIENTS AND CONTRIBUTE TO A STEEP GROWTH IN SALES.

young will be attracted to it not only by its design but by advanced connectivity, too. Women will value the KODIAQ for its robustness, and thanks to advanced assistance systems it is also a very safe car. It will thrill active customers who need a lot of space, power and force. Thanks to the latest 4x4 drive, the KODIAQ is a true powerhouse on unmetalled roads, which will be valued also by the corporate clientele. As the biggest SUV in the segment, it will also attract our traditional customers.

4 WHAT SHARE IN THE SUV SEGMENT ON THE CZECH MARKET ARE YOU GOING TO SLICE FOR YOURSELVES? In the A SUV segment, which YETI is part of, around 30,000 cars will be sold here this year. Then add at least 3,500 cars in the premium one, which we also dare to enter with the KODIAQ. I believe we will manage to improve the SUV segment in the Czech Republic significantly and make it more attractive next year. We would like to see it work together with the YETI; and as a brand in the A SUV

segment, we would like to get a market share of around 40 percent. It is an ambitious but realistic target.

ARE YOU PREPARING ANY CHANGES IN SALES WITH REGARD TO THE MARKETING OF THE MODEL? The world is changing, and also here we can see two client groups: the traditional customers and the young generation, who spend more time online and with a waning urge to own things, they rather prefer to rent a car. Connectivity and a range of financial products will play an increasingly important role not only in the sales of this model. That is why we have come up with an offer of new financial services, e.g. an operating lease for private customers without worries. Furthermore, as the first brand on the Czech market, we are going to launch sales on the internet in cooperation with our dealers next year. Our ŠKODA Car Configurator, which is one of the best things on the market at the moment, will greatly support internet sales. 19

APPROACHING THE CUSTOMER For almost nine months, ŠKODA Mobil has been introducing all the steps needed for a car to roll off the production line – from the first decision through development until the actual production and the car’s presentation to the public. We also introduced some of many workers who have taken part in this process. Let us briefly recall the whole preparation phase of the ŠKODA KODIAQ.

2014 The fully designed car was first tested as a prototype, and then it passed a series of long-term tests. Starting in January 2015, the prototypes intended for tests were produced for specialised departments. In total, 47 of them were produced. The laboratory endurance tests of the entire car were followed by long-term drive tests on tracks in different locations and under extreme climatic conditions. The cars covered a

2010

2012

distance of almost 700,000 km.

After the decision to include the new model

Four years before the serial production

in the ŠKODA product range, intensive work

was launched, the Product Management

began within Technical Development. The

department had started to work. They

EBK – Concept Definition department started

had to cover all aspects that influence

to process the technical description of the

the process of creating a car, whether it

car, defined the extent of used parts and the

was production, purchasing, sales, quality

SUV’s basic dimensions. We also worked on

or technical development, as well as

the concept of the chassis; it was the first

areas that overlapped with the Group.

time we built on the unused platform MQB

At the same time, they were responsible

A2 in a ŠKODA car. Designers were preparing

for coordinating the model’s production

the future shape of both the exterior and the

process in production plants abroad.

interior. They went into the smallest details. For

Around two years before the launch,

example, the gearboxes had to be prepared for

however, the team responsible for the

In spring 2014, we started

a transmission of up to 400 Nm of the engine

product management of the new SUV

to demand manufacturing

torque, complying with the Euro 6 standard. An

was already preparing the derivatives

technologies for the new SUV

important aspect was ergonomics and designing

that would enrich the offer during the

project for the production plant

the interior space with a third row of seats.

model’s life cycle.

in Kvasiny. New suppliers were selected in September. The Welding Shop became the largest investment as whole new lines, including new technologies and components, were bought. At the same time, the Purchasing department also selected suppliers for all the necessary parts and various related steps. In total, 530 companies from all over the world deliver the 5,510 purchased parts. The scope of the Purchasing department’s work can be shown by the fact that 50 tenders were announced just for event suppliers of a world dealer conference and central product training.

More than 2,000 core employees have been recruited into the Kvasiny plant since September last year, and fewer than 600 are yet to be taken on. Thanks to the huge recruitment campaign with the slogan “GET INTO ŠKODA”, the Rychnovska region has become the place with the lowest unemployment rate in the country. The Roadshow that took place in September and early October helped address job seekers both in Kvasiny and from outside the region – nine Bohemian and Moravian cities in total. The ŠKODA Academy has prepared a series of educational events for the current employees. Introducing the 18s system from 1 January 2017 will be a crucial milestone that will confirm the KOVO trade union’s long-term support for the development of the Kvasiny plant. An integral part of the process to launch a new car for the serial manufacture is quality tests. Quality is already checked in the pre-series cars during the test drives, which range between 50,000 and 160,000 km in real traffic conditions. The functions of the entire car were also tested, e.g. water resistance, driveability, operating forces, emissions, electricity and electronics, driving performance, acoustics and noise. Some tests were carried out in Kvasiny, others only in Mladá Boleslav. The quality of supplied parts was evaluated in a measurement centre or on the longest measuring board in the Czech Republic, with a length of 18 metres.

At the Kvasiny plant, the assembly hall and related conveyor systems were completely reconstructed. More than 350 robots were installed in the Welding shop – thus, the level of automation reached 74 percent. The Paint Shop was complemented by a robotic station

2016

for improving plastisol applications in order to protect the chassis; then, robotic application programmes for the filler spray and paint finish were modified or new combined frames for cavities preservation were installed. Until 2018, ŠKODA AUTO is gradually investing a total of CZK 7.2 billion in the Kvasiny plant, mainly because of the new SUV.

KODIAQ was first presented to the public at the world premiere in Berlin and then at the international motor show in Paris. In order to launch sales, it was necessary to prepare a range of various steps, e.g. the internet configurator and the genuine accessories offering. Nearly 90 percent of accessories are sold with a new car, so it is important to address the customer

2015

intensively before the car purchase takes place. For dealers and their activities all around the world, the brand dealer is preparing the traditional World Dealer Conference, taking place in Bilbao, Spain, at the turn of January and February next year. After the conference, KODIAQ will find its way to the first customers.

ŠKODA FOLK DISCOVER NEW HORIZONS From 3–6 October, you had a great opportunity to see the new ŠKODA KODIAQ with your own eyes! You were also presented with the latest news about connectivity, and you could try connecting your phone to the car. We hope you enjoyed the KODIAQ Roadshow and that you got not only information and interesting things about the new SUV but also an opportunity to immerse yourselves in the world of the wild, the domain of the Kodiak bear.

DID YOU TAKE PART IN THE GUESSING CONTEST? CHECK ON THE EMPLOYEE PORTAL WHERE THE RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY. FIFTY OF YOU WITH THE BEST GUESSES MAY LOOK FORWARD TO EXCITING PRIZES.

POLL 1. How do you like KODIAQ? 2. What do you think of today’s event? Did you enjoy the exhibition? ANETA DOLEŽALOVÁ, ŠKO-ENERGO 1. Beautiful, beautiful, it is so spacious and beautiful. I’d take it at once. 2. It’s great that people can see how the car looks. PETR KRYŠTOFEK, PKA/21 V 1. A lot. It looks great, it’s robust, massive. It could withstand something. 2. We are very glad to see the new model. I haven’t missed a unique opportunity. ROMAN HALBICH, PF1-I 1. Gorgeous, truly a beautiful car, it’s the first time I see it in real life, much better than on the photos. Really beautiful. 2. Yes, I was here before, but this year the programme is more diverse. PETRA PRÝLOVÁ, PF1-I/1453V 1. I like it. It’s big and spacious. It’ll be a very useful car for a family with two or more children. 2. That photo corner and the girls are pleasant. It’s really cool here. LUKÁŠ MÁDL A MATĚJ KRČÁL, PF1-M/143V 1. I am impressed by its dimensions. 2. We had taken photos during the FABIA and SUPERB presentations, so we looked forward to this. The quality level is always somewhat higher than before. We enjoy the photo corner the most. We’ll take the third photo for our collection. ONDŘEJ OUHRABKA, PSW-P/2 1. I’m glad we’re producing a multi-seat car. I will go through it and check it out. 2. It is monumental. You really hit the bull’s-eye with it. ZDEŇKA STARÁ, PSW-T/2 1. I like it a lot in this white colour. Large cars are great. You get in more comfortably, and thanks to a higher sitting position you’ve got a better view from behind the wheel. 2. One immediately notices how it’s shining here. It’s pleasant, it takes place in the open, and not in halls where it’d be crowded.

#KODIAQJETU (KODIAQ IS HERE)

Thousands of you were photographed in the special photo corner with the Kodiak bear. We thank you so much for sending us the photos and sharing them on social networks with the hashtag #KODIAQJETU! More than 50 of you agreed on publication. Unfortunately, all of them could not fit into Ĺ KODA Mobil; however, we prepared something for you.

TAKE A PICTURE WITH THE BEAR

We thank all of you who were interested in the challenge of the September issue of ŠKODA Mobil. Many bears of different kinds arrived at our office, so here you will find a small sample. We have chosen the Top 5 photos, whose owners will receive a gift. And what else were we interested in? The story of Alena Dlasková, who has been travelling with Browny the Bear for many years. TOP

# JAROMÍR MACÁK $ MARTIN MALÝ TOP

TOP

" JANA NĚMEČKOVÁ & MIROSLAV SCHNEIDER # ŠÁRKA RÖSLEROVÁ

MILOŠ PISKORA

ANASTASIYA STEPUL

VÍTĚZSLAV KUČERA

LUBOŠ NEUŽIL

MILOŠ BŽONĚK

RADKA ŠVANCAROVÁ

MICHAL CYRANY

ALENA KOZMÉROVÁ

RICHARD KILIAN

KVĚTOSLAV ZYKL

JARMILA HLAVÁČKOVÁ

DENISA KŘEPELOVÁ

THE BEAR STORY “They call me Browny back

home because my fur used to be all brown. It’s been a long time since grandma bought me in Paris and gave me to Tom 9

and mum for Christmas. It was in 1991. Since then, I’ve been going on trips, holidays, camps, bike tours and skiing in winter. As they grow older, so do I bear marks of years past, and I’ve also got a patch or two. So that’s how I look today.” HOLIDAYMAKER WITH THE BEAR ALENA DLASKOVÁ