What was your role in the development of the all-new ŠKODA FABIA?
My role was to represent the customer during the product development process. We look at the market trends, at our competition and identify the customer needs and requirements. We then try to bring these needs and the features into the product development process, with the objective to create a model that is successful in different markets.
What was the hardest thing?
In this segment we work under tight budget and cost control conditions. While we always want the best for the customer – sometimes we have to make compromises to achieve our goal and still deliver a great value for money proposition to our customers. I believe that with the new FABIA we have achieved this.
And what went without a hitch?
Developing the all-new FABIA requires teamwork in which all departments push for the same goal and in the same direction. Good open communication and a pragmatic approach with a solution-oriented mindset was the standard mode of operation. For the 4th generation the FABIA team achieved this, always with keeping the end customer in mind. You can see the excellent result of this teamwork by experiencing the new FABIA.
From the perspective of your department or specialisation, what was the biggest highlight of the all-new FABIA and why? What are you the proudest of?
There are too many highlights to list here. From my perspective the new FABIA is the perfect blend of emotional, sporty ŠKODA design while offering great functionality and practicality for a car in this segment. Technically it has one of the best in class CD values, ensuring good consumption figures, the latest driving assistance systems incl. Travel-, Side, Park-assist and can offer up to 43 Simply Clever Items to make living with the new FABIA bit easier and enjoyable. We can also be proud of the fact it is the only vehicle in its class with rear air vents, best in class boot space with 380l.
How is the all-new FABIA exceptional from the perspective of your specialisation? Where do you see the biggest progress compared to the previous generation?
Every aspect of the car has been significantly improved compared to the previous generation, from size to design to available technologies. We are proud of what the team has created and are confident that with this new generation we can continue the long successful history of the FABIA. If I was to sum the new FABIA up in one sentence, I would say, “Everything you need – and a little more.”