“China is ŠKODA’s largest single market and an important pillar of our success. Last year, we delivered over 300,000 vehicles to our customers there,” says ŠKODA CEO Bernhard Maier. “In China, we tailor our products specifically to the requirements and wishes of our Chinese customers. As early as 2018, we will be presenting two new models offered exclusively on the Chinese market.”
The background for the visit of the high-ranking delegation is a Memorandum of Understanding, signed by China and the Czech Republic in 2015, with which both countries jointly promote industrial development, particularly in the area of information technology. The agreement promotes an active dialogue between leading companies in the two countries. Miao Wei is accompanied by representatives of the Czech and Chinese governments.
During the visit to the Czech Republic, the Chinese delegation visited ŠKODA’s headquarters in Mladá Boleslav. The government representatives also learned more about the company’s 122-year history at the ŠKODA Museum. The car plant is exemplary in the Czech Republic for state-of-the-art production methods according to the industry 4.0 model. ŠKODA is also an innovation driver in the fields of electromobility and digitisation and has defined this in Strategy 2025.
ŠKODA’s good relationship with China has a long tradition: As early as 1936, the brand had five trade dealerships in the Middle Kingdom. In 2007 the Czech manufacturer returned to the Chinese market. At that time, ŠKODA launched the production of the OCTAVIA in cooperation with SAIC Volkswagen. The country has been ŠKODA’s single market since 2010. The millionth vehicle was delivered in 2013. In 2016 the company achieved a new annual sales record of 317,100 vehicles. In February 2017, just ten years after entering the Chinese market, ŠKODA handed over the keys to the second million vehicle.
In the coming years, ŠKODA will further strengthen its position in China. Alongside joint venture partner SAIC Motor Corporation, the brand will be investing more than two billion euros in the expansion of the model range over the next five years.
