With more than 125 years of vehicle manufacturing experience, ŠKODA AUTO is the largest industrial company in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest car manufacturer in the world.
In 1991, ŠKODA AUTO was the fourth brand to be incorporated into Volkswagen Group. Today, ŠKODA AUTO operates at three locations in the Czech Republic. The cars bearing the winged arrow are also manufactured in China, Russia, Slovakia and India, mostly via group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine in cooperation with local partners.
ŠKODA AUTO is one of the oldest carmakers in the world. Its history stretches back to 1895, when Václav Laurin and Václav Klement set up a business that gave rise to a tradition of Czech car manufacturing. Last year, the company celebrated 125 years since its founding and 115 years since it started producing automobiles.
The position of ŠKODA AUTO as a key player in the automotive industry has always been and will always be undeniable, not least because it has been part of Volkswagen Group since 1991. It has become a strong, internationally successful company that is active in more than 100 markets and offers its customers a total of ten model ranges – FABIA, RAPID, SCALA, OCTAVIA, KAMIQ, KAROQ, KODIAQ, SUPERB ENYAQ iV and KUSHAQ. In association with the group, ŠKODA AUTO independently develops and produces vehicles as well as components such as engines and transmissions.
ŠKODA AUTO is active in over 100 markets over the world. The carmaker currently employs more than 43,000 people globally and goes to great lengths to be a good citizen and neighbor in all the regions in which it is active.
ŠKODA AUTO is successfully steering through the new decade with the NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030.
The three highlight projects 2021
Vrchlabí plant became the first CO₂-neutral ŠKODA AUTO production site
The component plant in Vrchlabí has been ŠKODA AUTO’s first CO2-neutral production site worldwide since the end of 2020. To achieve this, the car manufacturer systematically reduced its energy consumption and switched to renewable energies. In doing so, the company was able to cut CO2 emissions at the site from 45,000 tonnes annually to its current level of 3,000 tonnes. The remaining emissions are offset through compensation measures and CO2 certificates.
#ŠKODAAUTOhelps raised money to those in need
The #ŠKODAAUTOhelps initiative has raised more than 100 million Czech korunas for social and healthcare services as well as the ŠKODA regions. Following the tornado that hit Moravia in June 2021, the company, its employees and the KOVO union donated almost 10 million Czech korunas for emergency aid.
ŠKODA AUTO creates External Sustainability Council
To implement its ambitious sustainability goals, ŠKODA AUTO has established an External Sustainability Council. The independent panel – which is not subject to any directives from the business – is made up of five international experts who will bring new ideas to the table, as well as suggestions for current and future sustainability measures. This will allow more diversified talks on sustainability issues to take place between the car manufacturer and its stakeholders.
Stakeholder Dialog
As a brand, ŠKODA always aims to maintain close contact with its stakeholders such as employees, communities, customers, governmental and other administrative bodies, suppliers, researchers, NGOs and other professional organizations. ŠKODA identifies relevant needs and requirements through personal dialogue, meetings, and participation in public forums, seminars and university lectures. In 2021, ŠKODA AUTO performed next regular structured stakeholder dialogue and materiality assessment process across all three sustainability pillars. In addition to that the company has established an external Sustainability council to engage further in open dialogue with a team of specialists. Results from the stakeholder dialogue, new external perspective and ideas will be reflected in the implementation of sustainability roadmaps of the company.
Awards 2021
The Health Promoting Company Award
ŠKODA AUTO won the Health Promoting Company Award by the Ministry of Health and the Chief Hygienist of Czech Republic in cooperation with the State Institute of Health. Good health of our employees is our top priority – and we are constantly looking for new and additional ways to take care of health and promote a healthy lifestyle.
The special jury award in the TOP Responsible Company
Promoting diversity at SKODA AUTO is one of the top priorities. The project "Promoting Diversity and Working with Prejudice for Better Team Flow" won a special jury award in the TOP Responsible Company competition!
Employer of the Year 2021
ŠKODA was named ‘Employer of the Year 2021’ in the Czech Republic by global HR services provider Sodexo.