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Škoda Auto is using AI-based image recognition to ensure timely identification of maintenance needs on the assembly line. At the main plant in Mladá Boleslav, the Škoda FabLab has installed a system that continuously monitors the assembly line equipment. It is connected to a computer that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect irregularities in the processes and identify any required maintenance work. Škoda Auto is thus one of the first companies in the Czech Republic to use the possibilities of AI-supported predictive maintenance.

“At Škoda Auto we are committed to predictive maintenance as a means to ensure that our production equipment is always in perfect shape. An AI system constantly checks the current process status against the optimal baseline conditions. It’s taught to identify certain patterns, constantly adding to its knowledge base and recognising changes immediately. This enables us to react promptly, optimises the efficiency of our processes and ensures the best possible utilisation of our production capacities.”

Miroslav Stejskal, Predictive Maintenance Coordinator, Škoda Auto Central Technical Service

Cameras on the assembly line’s overhead conveyor
The images of equipment and parts subject to wear, such as girders, bolts or cabling, are captured by cameras on the overhead conveyor of the assembly line. As soon as the AI-based computer connected to the camera detects irregularities in the process, or a need for maintenance actions, it flags them in real time.

Continuous checks enable early detection of required maintenance measures
“Magic Eye” instantly compares its high-precision photographs against thousands of stored images. This enables it to detect departures from the optimal baseline conditions and to identify sources of error. The use of blue light ensures that the AI tool reliably differentiates between cracks and scratches and makes the correct diagnoses. In addition, the system continuously expands its knowledge base. If it finds a worn bolt, for example, it marks the spot as error-free as soon as the part has been replaced and checked again. To evaluate detected deviations, the system uses information on irregularities it has identified in the past.

Current use on the assembly line for the Enyaq iV and Octavia models
Škoda is using “Magic Eye” at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav, on the assembly line for the Enyaq iV and Octavia models. This makes Škoda Auto one of the first companies in the Czech Republic to use the possibilities of AI‑supported predictive maintenance.

To enable further optimisation of the system and accelerate wider integration at the Mladá Boleslav and Kvasiny sites, the FabLab has simulated a section of the assembly line. This “implementation arena” can be used to experiment with different camera settings, configure system parameters and simulate damage to the assembly line.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Among other milestones in 2023, Škoda Auto will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of its logo with the winged arrow, a symbol of dynamism and progress. In addition, this year marks the 80th anniversary of Škoda models with all-wheel drive. Anniversaries of sporting triumphs, long-distance journeys across continents, models paving the way for the Superb, as well as robust Škoda utility vehicles, are also woven into the story of the successful Czech car manufacturer. A complete overview can be found in the attached brochure.

The tradition of the Mladá Boleslav-based company dates back to 1895 when the passionate cyclists and Czech compatriots Václav Laurin and Václav Klement laid the foundations of the Slavia bicycle workshop. From 1899, they also produced modern motorcycles of their own design and in the autumn of 1905, the first Laurin & Klement automobile, the Voiturette A, attracted the attention of the general public.

Owing to its international success, the L&K (Laurin & Klement) brand quickly grew to become the largest car manufacturer in what was then Austria-Hungary and later Czechoslovakia. The Mladá Boleslav carmaker has used the Škoda logo with a winged arrow since the autumn of 1925 when it merged with a strong strategic partner – the Pilsen-based engineering group Škoda. The trademark was registered 100 years ago this year, on 15 December 1923.

There are many other important Škoda Auto anniversaries coming up in 2023, for example, the 110th anniversary of the Laurin & Klement M models, which paved the way for the Škoda Superb. In addition, the carmaker will be celebrating 80 years of Škoda all-wheel drive cars.

A complete overview can be found in the attached brochure. Škoda Auto will be highlighting selected anniversaries in separate press releases.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Škoda has set two official world ice drift records with the Enyaq RS iV SUV, the brand’s second all-electric sporting model. The records for the ’Longest Continuous Vehicle Drift on Ice’ and the ‘Longest Continuous Vehicle Drift on Ice (electric car)’, have been verified by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS. They were set by motoring journalist Richard Meaden on a circular track measuring 188.496 m in circumference on the frozen Stortjärnen lake near Östersund, Sweden, on Thursday 19 January 2023.

The first record broken by Škoda on the Stortjärnen lake was for the Longest Continuous Vehicle Drift on Ice. Driving the recently launched Škoda Enyaq RS iV SUV, Richard Meaden set a new officially-verified record by holding the car in a controlled slide for more than 15 minutes and 7.351 km. Meaden’s drift beat the previous record of 6.231 km, set in China in 2022. In breaking the first record, Meaden and the Škoda Enyaq RS iV SUV set a second record for the ‘Longest Continuous Vehicle Drift on Ice (electric car)’.

With a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator present and international drifting judge David Kalas as a witness, Škoda set the record on the brand’s fourth day on location following numerous practice runs with different tyre combinations. A total of 18 hours of drifting were put in across the full five days in sub-zero temperatures to achieve the perfect drift.

The Enyaq RS iV SUV held its own under demanding conditions and powered round the drift circle 39 times during the 15 minutes and 58 seconds of its record-breaking run. It achieved a top speed of 48.69 km/h and was travelling at 31.64 km/h at its slowest point.

The standard production car used to complete the record was fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels. The Däckproffsen 245/35-R20 ‘event tyres’ (sourced from Michelin) on the front had 600 5 mm studs, enabling an even better traction and steering input on the frozen grip-less surface; whilst the Nokian Hakkapelitta 255/45-R20 tyres fitted on the rear wheels had 300 2 mm studs across the tyre surface, which proved the ideal combination on the 40 cm deep ice surface.

The setting of two new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS titles returns Škoda, the new record-holder Richard Meaden and the RS nameplate to the record books. In 2011, the British driver set a new Southern Californian Timing Association (SCTA) Land Speed Record for a 2.0-litre forced induction production car of 227.080 mph. Driving a Škoda UK-built Octavia RS, the record was set at the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA.

Meaden said of the triumph: “Being back behind the wheel of another record-breaking Škoda is pretty special, going from the Bonneville Salt Flats of the USA to a frozen lake in Scandinavia – setting two different records in two very different cars. I’m incredibly proud to be part of a record-breaking team again 12 years on – who would have thought we’d be here drifting an electric car on ice? It shows just how much the automotive world is changing, and how exciting it is too.”

The Enyaq RS iV features sports suspension 15 mm lower at the front over the standard Enyaq iV, and 10 mm lower at the rear. Furthermore, progressive steering and Drive Mode Select as well as optional Dynamic Chassis Control for an adaptive damping system enable even better traction. Further enhancements include characteristic RS sports bumpers, gloss black exterior detailing, as well as sports seats with black leather upholstery extended to the steering wheel and dashboard trim.

The Enyaq RS iV SUV is the second all-electric Škoda to bear the RS badge, offering 299 PS and 0-100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds from its 82 kWh (77 kWh net) battery and twin electric motors. With one on each axle, the Enyaq RS iV produces 460 Nm of torque, with instant acceleration and powerful performance. The vehicle can be fast charged at speeds of 135 kW, meaning an 80% charge can be achieved in as little as 36 minutes.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Škoda is celebrating two victories in the renowned ‘Best Cars’ readers’ poll: Readers of the German trade magazine ‘auto motor und sport’ voted the Škoda Fabia into first place in the ‘small cars’ import ranking, while the Octavia came out on top in the ‘compact class’ import ranking. This is the eleventh time the Czech carmaker’s bestseller has won the ‘Best Cars’ title and the second time the Fabia has won a readers’ choice award. More than 100,000 readers voted for their favourites among 422 models across 13 vehicle categories in the 47^th ‘Best Cars’ competition.

“My heartfelt thanks to all the readers who voted for us directly. And of course to all the Škodians involved in creating these great vehicles! The prestigious awards inspire us to continuously incorporate customer feedback into the development of our models. Because that’s what makes our vehicles more attractive – and thus even more successful!”

Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO

Klaus Zellmer accepted the trophies at the awards ceremony alongside Jan-Hendrik Hülsmann, Managing Director and Spokesperson for the Board of Škoda Auto Deutschland.

Eleventh victory for the Škoda Octavia in the ‘Best Cars’ category, tenth win in a row
The Škoda Octavia outperformed 29 competitors in its category to take the top spot in the ‘compact class’ import rankings. In total, 13.6% of over 100,000 readers voted for the brand’s bestseller, marking its tenth ‘Best Cars’ victory in a row. The Octavia has now won the title for the eleventh time since the readers’ poll was launched; once it competed in the ‘mid-size’ category in which it also secured the import title. Today, the fourth-generation Octavia stands out with an emotional design, spacious interior, high level of active and passive safety, innovative assistance systems, state-of-the-art connectivity and a diverse powertrain portfolio.

Škoda Fabia celebrates second victory in ‘Best Cars’ readers’ poll
In the ‘small car’ import category, the Fabia won over ‘auto motor und sport’ readers with its attractive overall package, combining dynamic design, outstanding spaciousness and efficient powertrains. Receiving 16.9% of the votes, it outshone 19 competitors in its category to scoop the award for the second time since 2008. The fourth generation of Škoda’s entry-level model is based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB-A0).

This year’s ‘Best Cars’ readers’ poll saw a total of twelve titles go to vehicles from various Volkswagen Group brands.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Against the backdrop of multiple global crises, Škoda Auto managed to produce almost 780,000 vehicles at its global production sites in 2022, including almost 56,000 at its Indian plants alone. In addition, the company has manufactured bodies and numerous components – such as MEB battery systems, engines, axles, gearboxes and high-voltage traction batteries that are also installed in vehicles of other Group brands.

“It is thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our strong team that we were able to produce almost 780,000 Škoda vehicles in our production plants worldwide, even under the current, extremely challenging overall conditions. This achievement impressively proves the high resilience and flexibility of our team and deserves great recognition. In 2023 we will be pushing further ahead with electrification and have clearly defined our goal: By 2030, all our three Czech plants will be producing E-components or E-vehicles."

Michael Oeljeklaus, Škoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics

Around 415,000 vehicles rolled off the production lines in Mladá Boleslav in 2022
In 2022, Škoda Auto produced around 415,000 vehicles from the Škoda Fabia, Scala, Octavia, Octavia iV, Kamiq, Enyaq iV and Enyaq Coupé iV series at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav. The models in the successful all-electric Enyaq iV family are based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB).

Since May 2022, battery systems for the Volkswagen Group’s MEB vehicles have also been manufactured in Mladá Boleslav. Investments in the newly constructed production line total around 130 million euros. The battery systems are used in Škoda, Volkswagen, Audi and SEAT models. Škoda Auto plans to launch another assembly line in 2023. This step will increase the total capacity by more than 340% to 1,500 battery systems a day.

In addition, the company produced 366,000 engines, 1,390,000 axles as well as 356,000 transmissions of the types MQ100 and MQ200 at its main plant. Škoda Auto reached the milestone of 4 million EA211 engines and manufactured the 15 millionth transmission of the current generation across all types.

At the Kvasiny site, Škoda Auto produced a total of 221,000 units of the Škoda Superb, Superb Combi and Superb iV model series as well as the Kodiaq and Karoq SUVs.

At the component plant in Vrchlabí, Škoda Auto built 538,000 units of the DQ200 automatic direct-shift transmission. By mid-February 2022, the plant had produced the four millionth transmission in total. This is installed in the Czech carmaker’s models as well as in vehicles of other Group brands. The state-of-the-art production facility has been Škoda Auto’s first CO₂-neutral production site worldwide since the end of 2020. It operates according to Industry 4.0 principles, employing ground-breaking technologies in the automotive industry.

Other production sites in Europe
At the plant in Bratislava, the Slovakian capital, Škoda Auto produced 16,000 units of the Škoda Karoq in 2022.

Leveraging the potential in Asia
In 2022, Škoda Auto produced around 42,000 vehicles at Chinese plants in Changsha (Škoda Kodiaq and Kodiaq GT), Nanjing (Škoda Kamiq, Kamiq GT and Superb), Ningbo (Škoda Octavia, Octavia Pro and Karoq) and Yizheng (Škoda Rapid).

During the same period, the carmaker built almost 56,000 vehicles at its Indian plants in Pune (Škoda Kushaq and Slavia) and Aurangabad (Škoda Octavia, Kodiaq and Superb). The Aurangabad plant uses 100% ‘green’ energy and is on track to being CO2-neutral by 2025.

The Slavia is the second model Škoda has successfully launched in India after the Kushaq SUV, which was developed specifically for the needs of customers on the subcontinent as part of the INDIA 2.0 project. The Škoda Slavia and Kushaq are based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, especially developed for the Indian market. From 2024, Škoda Auto will be exporting both model series in CKD format to Vietnam, where they will be completed at the newly built CKD assembly plant. The car manufacturer is thus underlining the strategic importance of India for its further development in Asia and the company’s overall internationalisation strategy.

In February 2022, the Group’s Board of Management decided to suspend production in and exports to Russia indefinitely due to the Russian attack on Ukraine. This decision affects the two Russian plants in Nizhny Novgorod and Kaluga.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com/

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