ŠKODA has produced 1.5 million components (engines and gearboxes) at their Czech plants this year – more than ever before. So far this year, 533,000 engines and 967,000 gearboxes have run off the production lines in Mladá Boleslav and Vrchlabí. The modern components – eight engines and three types of gearbox in total – are used in ŠKODA models as well as other brands within the Volkswagen Group.
“ŠKODA’s component development and manufacturing is an important pillar of our global production network,” says Frank Engel, Head of ŠKODA component manufacturing. “The record number of 1.5 million engines and transmissions produced this year underlines the efficiency of this area and the high level of expertise of our employees. As an important part of the ‘Center of Excellence’ in the Volkswagen Group, component manufacturing will continue to expand in line with the growth strategy of the Group and brand.”
Over recent years, the manufacturer has been expanding the manufacturing of engines and gearboxes step by step. “ŠKODA plans to expand worldwide. We are prepared,” says Engel. In mid-2014, the brand expanded production in Mladá Boleslav, introducing new three-cylinder engines in the EA 211 series (1.0 MPI with 44 and 55 kW). From this engine family, ŠKODA also produces the 1.2-TSI and 1.4-TSI, as well as the 1.6 MPI-petrol engines in Mladá Boleslav. Since 2001 and 2009, the main ŠKODA plant has been producing the 1.2 HTP and 1.2 TSI-engines from the EA 111 series. At the beginning of May this year, ŠKODA produced the third million 1.2 HTP engine.
Gearbox production forms a key part of ŠKODA’s component manufacturing. The Vrchlabí plant produced the 500,000th DQ 200 dual-clutch transmission in November. For about two years, the modern direct-shift has been running off the production lines at the plant at the foot of the Giant Mountains, and is used in vehicles of the ŠKODA brand as well as in models from Volkswagen, Seat and Audi. To facilitate DSG production, the Czech manufacturer invested around 210 million euros with the support of Volkswagen. ŠKODA additionally produces the MQ 200 and MQ/SQ 100 gearboxes in Mladá Boleslav.
Over the coming years, ŠKODA plans to further their expertise in engine engineering and production. An engine testing and development centre was opened in early September this year in Mladá Boleslav. The manufacturer invested around 45 million euros into this project alone with the support of Volkswagen, making this currently one of the largest investments of a private company in the Czech Republic.
ŠKODA AUTO is one of the longest established manufacturers of engines and transmissions. It was 115 years ago in 1899 that the founding fathers Laurin and Klement built their first motor-assisted bicycle. Single-cylinder engines with 1.25 or 1.75 hp powered the so-called Motocyclette.
A cornerstone of ŠKODA engines and transmissions is the in-house foundry and forge. This production area celebrated its 50th anniversary in March this year.
Milestones in ŠKODA component manufacturing for the Volkswagen Group:
1997
• Production launch of the 1.0 MPI/37 kW (50 PS) engine
2001
• Production launch of the 1.2 HTP (EA 111) engine in Mladá Boleslav
2009
• Production launch of the 1.2 TSI (EA 111) engine in Mladá Boleslav
2012
• Foundation stone laid for new engine testing centre in Mladá Boleslav
• Production launch of the 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI (EA211) engines in Mladá Boleslav
• Production launch for the DQ 200 dual-clutch transmission in Vrchlabí
2014
• Production launch of the 1.6 MPI (EA 211) engine in Mladá Boleslav
• ŠKODA produces the third million 1.2 HTP (EA 111) engine
• Production launch of the 1.0 MPI (EA 211) engine
• Opening of the new ŠKODA engine testing centre in Mladá Boleslav
• ŠKODA Vrchlabí produces the das 500,000 DQ 200 dual-clutch transmission
• ŠKODA produces 1.5 million engines and gearboxes for the first time in one year