70 Years in Kvasiny

The Kvasiny factory in eastern Bohemia is celebrating 70 years of manufacturing ŠKODA automobiles. Today, it produces thousands of vehicles a day and at the beginning of this year the impressive two millionth vehicle rolled off the local production line.

18. 10. 2017 Škoda World

The story of the ŠKODA brand at this factory began in 1947. And the start was more than good! After all, the first vehicle which came off the line was the then-flagship model, the SUPERB. The SUPERB began its great journey for the brand with a winged arrow on its bow. In the following years, models like the FELICIA (1958 through 1964), the beloved 110 R COUPE (1970 to 1980) rolled out of the gates of the factory, as well as another typological novelty for the domestic market, the practical PICK-UP (1995 to 2001) and a little later, the family MPV ROOMSTER or the first SUV from ŠKODA, the YETI. However, we must not forget about the shiniest local gem. Yes, here the circle closes and the renewed flagship SUPERB returns to the scene in the first of its so-called generation.

The eastern Bohemian factory of the ŠKODA brand is truly undergoing the biggest modernization in its history. Total investments from 2014-2017 for the manufacture of the SUV will reach an impressive 7 billion Czech crowns. Thanks to this, the factory will be able to increase its production capacity from its rough current amount of 170 000 to more than 300 000 vehicles a year.

Work at a welding plant in the 1970s

Kvasiny is becoming an important center for the global development of the ŠKODA brand. This is confirmed by a the words of member of the ŠKODA AUTO board of directors, Michael Oeljeklaus, who is responsible for the spheres of manufacturing and logistics:

KAROQ start of production
in Kvasiny

“Kvasiny is a top factory with a long tradition and excellent and highly-qualified employees,” says Michael Oeljeklaus. “As an important production pillar, our plant in Kvasiny significantly contributes to the production targets defined in our Strategy 2025. In the coming years, the yearly volume of production will continue to increase. To this end, we are investing heavily at this site, and we are building a competency center for the manufacturing of vehicles outside of the SUV category from Kvasiny,” added Oeljeklaus.

Automobile production at Kvasiny – important milestones

1934
The body shop Jawa Kvasiny is founded

1947
Production launch of the ŠKODA SUPERB

1959
Kvasiny launches the production of the convertible ŠKODA FELICIA

1970
Production launch of the sporty coupé ŠKODA 110 R

1981
Production launch of the ŠKODA GARDE / RAPID

1991
ŠKODA joins the Volkswagen Group

2001
ŠKODA’s new flagship, the SUPERB rolls off the production lines at Kvasiny

2006
Launch of the ŠKODA ROOMSTER model produced at Kvasiny

2009
The new ŠKODA YETI compact SUV is produced at Kvasiny

2013
July: The new combined heat and power plant (CHP) becomes operational. Around 3 million euros go into creating an environmental project, later awarded ‘eco-project of the year’ in the Czech Republic.
November: 1.5 million vehicles have been produced at Kvasiny.
December: 500,000 second-generation ŠKODA SUPERBs have been produced at Kvasiny.

2014
September: The Kvasiny plant celebrates 80 years of operation.

2015
March: The third generation ŠKODA SUPERB rolls off the line. ŠKODA invests heavily in new production technologies, assembly and logistics areas for the start of production of the brand’s flagship made in Kvasiny. Around 62.3 million euros were invested in the new body construction alone.
October: The 500,000th ŠKODA YETI is manufactured at Kvasiny.

2016
October: The brand’s first large SUV – the ŠKODA KODIAQ – is manufactured at Kvasiny.

2017
July: The new SUV ŠKODA KAROQ is manufactured at Kvasiny