Škoda Auto opened its brand new technology centre in Mladá Boleslav in Czech Republic on 16th December. The technological center was inaugurated by Volkswagen AG BOD Chairman Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Škoda Auto's BOD Chairman Reinhard Jung and Dr. Eckhard Scholz, BOD Member for Technological Development.

The developments and advancements through this technological center will result in better technology and performance for the company and its products. Needless to say, the developments would trickle down to India in Skoda’s products. Mechanical and electrical engineers and other highly qualified specialists from Skoda India will be sent to the new Technology Center in Czech Republic for training. Even though there are no immediate plans to set up a similar center in India, SkodaAuto India management said that it is an idea they will consider in the future.

“The construction of the new Technology Centre is part of the long-planned extension of Škoda Auto's technological development operations, reinforces Škoda Auto's research competences across the VW Group and makes it possible to continue the Company's tradition of developing and designing automobiles in the Czech Republic, said Dr. Eckhard Scholz, BOD Member for Technological Development.

“We look at our new facility as a major investment in driving innovation and cutting edge technology, ensuring our continual focus on delivering state of the art products for our customers across the globe”, said Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Board Member, Sales and Marketing, Skoda India.

By completing the construction of the new centre, Škoda Auto has reinforced its development position across the VW Group. The Company has invested CZK 1,159[1] million to create 300 new jobs. In this connection, the total area of technological development sites has been extended by about 70 %, to 44,432 m2. The need of new premises arose from product portfolio extensions, increasing technological and legislative requirements and growing requirements on the customers' part.

The Technology Centre is going to be put into full operation in mid-2009, when the process of installing technology and equipment is supposed to be completed. Besides offices, the centre's operations will include electronics and electrical engineering development laboratories and workshops, engine and chassis development sites, acoustics and noise test rooms, a sunlight simulation test facility, climate chambers and a light tunnel.

[1]i.e., EUR 45 million – according to current exchange rate 25,70 CZK/1€

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About ŠkodaIndia: Škoda has been operating in India since November 2001 as a subsidiary of ŠkodaAuto a. s. Czech Republic (Volkswagen Group), one of the fastest growing car manufacturers in Europe. It has set up a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Shendra near Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The facility is spread across 300,000 sq. mt. ŠkodaIndia now has 19 models in the country: ŠkodaSuperb Elegance 2.8 MPI, ŠkodaSuperb Elegance 2.5 TDI, ŠkodaSuperb Comfort 2.5 TDI, ŠkodaLaura L&K 1.9 PD Manual & Automatic, ŠkodaLaura Elegance 1.9 PD, ŠkodaLaura Ambiente 1.9 PD, ŠkodaOctavia L&K 1.9 TDI, ŠkodaOctavia Elegance 1.9 TDI, ŠkodaOctavia Ambiente 1.9 TDI & 1.8 MPI Turbo, ŠkodaFabia Elegance 1.4 MPI, ŠkodaFabia Classic1.4 TDI, ŠkodaFabia Ambiente1.4 TDI, ŠkodaFabia Elegance 1.4 TDI. Škoda has a network of 56 dealerships across the country and has sold over 65,000units since November 2001.