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ŠKODA AUTO is employing 3D printing for the production of components, spare parts and tools. The Czech car manufacturer is making its production and logistics more flexible and efficient by using what is known as 3D print farms. The Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic (Svaz průmyslu a dopravy České republiky) recognised the ‘More flexible with 3D print farms’ project, considering it one of the five most innovative Industry 4.0 applications from the past year in the country.

“At ŠKODA AUTO, we use 3D printing to manufacture components and tools faster, more efficiently and more cost-effectively and make targeted use of technologies from Industry 4.0. This is how we are implementing our FORCE programme for the Future Factory and pushing ahead with digitalising our production sites. I am delighted that our project has been recognised as one of the five most innovative approaches in the area of Industry 4.0 in the Czech Republic.”

Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Production and Logistics

The benefits of 3D printing across the business
ŠKODA AUTO uses 3D printing, for example, in prototype production in its Pilot Hall. Plastic 3D printing is used, in particular, in the maintenance departments in vehicle production. The carmaker also employs the technology in Central Technical Service, for the production of tools and spare parts and for the testing of new materials. Furthermore, the technology is used for the production of one-off items and small series.

High degree of flexibility: adaptable parts and reduced lead times
Currently, there are fifty 3D printers in ŠKODA AUTO’s Production and Logistics division, enabling the carmaker to apply the additive process. These are linked by a dedicated network for a working group responsible for plastic 3D printing. The largest 3D print farm, a group of ten units, is located in the body shop at the carmaker’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav. The technology makes it possible to flexibly produce the necessary tools or to carry out repairs at short notice. This means the lead time for the tools and spare parts required is significantly shorter and there is no need to keep any stock. The printed parts are added to a database, allowing them to be reproduced or adapted at any time.

Versatile technology
In early April 2020, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic showed just how versatile 3D printing technology could be: in Technical Development, the carmaker’s own Academy and in Production at the Mladá Boleslav and Kvasiny sites, ŠKODA AUTO manufactured 1,400 protective shields for its own workforce as well as staff of various aid organisations within just two months.

Digitalisation is an integral part of the company’s NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030
ŠKODA AUTO is fully exploiting the use of Industry 4.0 technologies and, in this context, the possibilities 3D printing has to offer. The consistent further digitalisation of internal procedures and processes across the entire company is one of the cornerstones of the
NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

The all-electric ŠKODA ENYAQ iV boasts efficient drive technology and outstanding aerodynamics in its segment. This enables long-distance ranges of more than 520 kilometres in the WLTP cycle. Outside temperatures between 20 and 30 °C are ideal for efficiency. However, the range of electric vehicles is reduced in winter when electricity from the battery is needed, for example, to heat the interior and keep the batteries at the correct temperature. With the right steps and equipment options, the reduction in range at low temperatures can easily be minimised.

Driving in winter places high demands on modern electric vehicles like the ŠKODA ENYAQ iV. While a model with a combustion engine uses the engine’s waste heat to warm the interior, the energy required for this in an electric vehicle comes from the traction battery. The thermal management of the battery also consumes electricity, which is why the range is reduced. However, by improving the battery temperature control using new software, the optional heat pump and a few simple steps the driver can take, the winter reduction in range can be greatly minimised.”

Axel Andorff, Head of MEB Projects

The ŠKODA ENYAQ iV has an impressive range, making it suitable for everyday use and long-distance journeys. For example, the ENYAQ iV 80 with an 82-kWh lithium-ion battery can travel more than 520 kilometres on a single charge (according to the WLTP cycle). When it is cold, however, the range of electric vehicles is reduced since the battery must be kept within an optimal temperature window by a sophisticated thermal management system. Energy from the battery is used for this as well as for heating the interior. Unlike models with combustion engines, electric models cannot use waste heat for this purpose. The heat pump, which is available as an option for the ENYAQ iV, offers a solution; it compresses CO₂ to produce warm air, which heats the interior without drawing energy from the battery.

Improved thermal management of the battery using new software
The ENYAQ iV’s drive battery is kept within an ideal temperature window to enable optimal power output, efficient recuperation and the fastest possible DC charging at fast charging points. A new version of the vehicle software optimises the battery’s thermal management, further extending its range in winter temperatures as well as increasing the battery’s service life. The new software will also be installed in ENYAQ iVs that have already been delivered. ŠKODA guarantees that the battery will still have at least 70 per cent of its original capacity after eight years or 160,000 kilometres. To protect the health of the battery, it is advisable to charge it as often as possible to a maximum of 80 per cent for daily use.

Preparing well for winter driving with the ŠKODA ENYAQ iV
With a few simple tricks, ENYAQ iV drivers can increase the vehicle’s range in winter. When the car is parked in a garage, the battery and the interior do not need to be heated as much as when it is parked outside. In addition, preheating the interior can be programmed or switched on via the MyŠKODA app. If a charging cable is connected during preheating, the ENYAQ iV will not draw any energy from the battery. Before setting off, unused vehicle attachments, such as roof racks, should be removed and the tyre pressure checked. Insufficient air pressure increases rolling resistance and thus energy consumption. Eco mode offers additional savings potential; it reduces the power of the Climatronic and limits the engine output to a top speed of 130 km/h. The driver can override these settings at any time by kicking down.

Useful tips for additional energy savings
If the optional steering wheel and seat heating are switched on when driving in low temperatures, the interior heating can be set lower, which saves energy. If you are driving alone, it also makes sense to heat only the driver’s area with 2-zone or 3-zone Climatronic. The anticipatory Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) included in the Travel Assist package saves energy by driving smoothly at a constant speed. It also automatically detects speed limits, bends and roundabouts and allows the ENYAQ iV to brake or coast well in advance. When driving in the city, drive mode B should be selected so that as much energy as possible can be recovered through enhanced recuperation performance. When driving through rural areas or on the motorway, the ENYAQ iV’s low driving resistance makes it possible for only kinetic energy to be used when cruising over extended distances.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

After winning the ‘Golden Steering Wheel 2021’, the ŠKODA ENYAQ iV has now also been nominated for the ‘Car of the Year‘ award. The prize has been presented annually by nine European automotive trade magazines since 1963. Out of 65 new cars from the past year that were nominated, the ŠKODA ENYAQ iV has been shortlisted for the final as one of the seven best models. The winner is chosen by an international jury of 61 automotive journalists from 23 European countries. The Car of the Year 2022 will be announced in Geneva at the end of February 2022.

The Car of the Year Award is one of the most important automotive awards in Europe and has been held every year since 1963. Initially, the list for the ‘Car of the Year 2022‘ included 65 new vehicles that have been introduced over the past 12 months. The seven finalists have now been selected: On the heels of the ŠKODA OCTAVIA last year, the ŠKODA ENYAQ iV is another model from the Czech manufacturer to reach the final round. The jury consists of 61 automotive journalists from 23 European countries, the number of members from each country depends on the size of the respective market – six jurors each from Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy and Spain. The award ceremony will be held at the end of February 2022.

The all-electric ŠKODA ENYAQ iV represents the most significant step to date in the roll-out of the Czech manufacturer’s electrification strategy. The SUV is ŠKODA’s first production model to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB) and is built at the main ŠKODA plant in Mladá Boleslav. This makes the ENYAQ iV the only MEB model in Europe to be manufactured outside of Germany. It comes with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, a choice of three battery sizes and five performance levels from 109 to 220 kW. With a range of more than 520 kilometres in the WLTP cycle, the ENYAQ iV is ideal for long-distance travel.

Being nominated as one of the final seven models in the ‘Car of the Year’ award marks another success for the ŠKODA ENYAQ iV; at the beginning of November, it was named the best electric SUV, winning the internationally renowned Golden Steering Wheel 2021.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Title successfully defended: The ŠKODA ENYAQ iV is ‘Switzerland’s Favourite Car of 2022’, securing the second successive victory for the Czech manufacturer in the popular readers’ poll of several Swiss media outlets after the OCTAVIA won last year. The award was presented in the eleventh run of the ‘Swiss Car of the Year’ awards. Around 30,000 readers and users voted in the poll, in which ŠKODA’s first all-electric SUV secured 3.6 per cent of the votes ahead of a strong field of entrants that included 55 new cars.

The Swiss magazine ‘Schweizer Illustrierte’, along with ‘AutoScout24’, ‘Blick’, ‘L’Illustré’, ‘Il caffè’ and ‘SonntagsBlick’, held the eleventh run of the readers’ poll for ‘Switzerland’s Favourite Car’. The ‘Swiss Car of the Year’ award ceremony took place online as it did last year due to COVID-19. The ŠKODA ENYAQ iV won over a majority of the approximately 30,000 readers and users, garnering 3.6 per cent of the votes. It takes the baton from the ŠKODA OCTAVIA, which last year became the first ŠKODA ever to win the title of ‘Switzerland’s Favourite Car’. The vehicles nominated for ‘Switzerland’s Favourite Car of 2022’ are all new models that were launched on the Swiss market in 2021 or can be ordered by March 2022 at the latest.

ŠKODA has entered an electrifying new era with the ENYAQ iV. The all-electric SUV is ŠKODA’s first production model to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB) and is built at the main ŠKODA plant in Mladá Boleslav. This makes the ENYAQ iV the only MEB model in Europe to be manufactured outside Germany. It comes with rear- or all-wheel drive, and also offers a choice of five power levels from 109 to 220 kW and three battery sizes. Its range of more than 520 kilometres in the WLTP cycle ensures its suitability for long-distance travel.

ŠKODA ENYAQ iV continues its string of successes at international award ceremonies
Being voted ‘Favourite Car of Switzerland 2022’ is the fourth high-profile award for the ENYAQ iV in just over three months. The new electric flagship has also been awarded the 2021 Golden Steering Wheel as the best E-SUV by the trade magazine ‘Auto Bild’ and ‘Bild am Sonntag’ in Germany, ŠKODA’s most important single market in Europe. In the ‘Auto Trophy 2021’, organised by the trade magazine ‘Auto Zeitung’, the ENYAQ iV celebrated overall victory as the best E-SUV up to 50,000 euros and also won the import classification. In the poll for the ‘Family Car of the Year’ by the trade magazine ‘AUTO Straßenverkehr’, it took overall victory in the category ‘Best Technology’ for vehicles up to 25,000 euros, also winning the import ranking in this class as well as the ‘Best Design’ category. The ENYAQ iV has qualified for the finals of the European ‘Car of the Year’ award as one of the seven best models, with the winner being chosen and announced in February 2022.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

The ŠKODA AFRIQ is off to a flying start. The name the 25 apprentices at the ŠKODA Vocational School chose for the eighth ŠKODA student car highlights two important topics: The rally version of the ŠKODA KAMIQ city SUV, which is being developed in collaboration with ŠKODA Motorsport, commemorates the legendary Dakar Rally in Africa. The name ŠKODA AFRIQ is also a perfect choice for another reason; since the beginning of this year, ŠKODA AUTO has been responsible for all the Volkswagen Group’s activities in North Africa.

This year, for the first time in the history of the traditional project, the vocational students are working alongside ŠKODA Motorsport to create the eighth ŠKODA student car, thereby benefiting from 120 years of motorsport experience. The rally version of the ŠKODA KAMIQ city SUV, which serves as the basis for the student car for the first time, is taking on the look of the vehicles that compete in the legendary Dakar Rally. The roots of the traditional long-distance rally lie in the deserts of North and West Africa.

From the very first pencil stroke, the vocational students are developing the spectacularly designed and handmade one-off themselves. The AFRIQ is 4,362 millimetres long and has a wheelbase of 2,649 millimetres. The apprentices are incorporating many new, unusual ideas with the support of teachers at the ŠKODA Vocational School, engineers and experienced employees from the Technical Development, Design and Production areas, as well as ŠKODA Motorsport for the first time.

“It’s great to see how much enthusiasm and creativity our apprentices bring to this project. In collaboration with the specialist teachers, who are totally dedicated to our students and work diligently with them on the details, the project participants come up with ideas every year that surprise even the experts. The apprentices always manage to give their very own dream car a unique character.”

Zdeněk Stanke, team leader from the ŠKODA Academy

ŠKODA AUTO leads the Volkswagen Group in North Africa
The eighth ŠKODA student car also reflects ŠKODA AUTO’s Group responsibility for the North Africa region. Following on from India and Russia, the Czech car manufacturer is now responsible for all the Volkswagen Group’s activities in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. Under the leadership of Arwa Oeljeklaus, the company has been developing new markets with growth potential in this region since 1 January 2021. The project is one of the three top priorities EXPAND, EXPLORE and ENGAGE as part of the new corporate strategy ‘NEXT LEVEL – ŠKODA STRATEGY 2030’. Under the banner of EXPLORE, ŠKODA AUTO strives to become the leading European car manufacturer in India, Russia and North Africa by 2030.

“By naming the new ŠKODA student car AFRIQ and paying homage to the Dakar Rally’s roots on the African continent, the apprentices are also drawing attention to ŠKODA AUTO’s newly assigned responsibility for the North Africa region. As we have in India and Russia, we also want to apply our expertise to the dynamic growth regions in Africa so that we can efficiently leverage existing synergies for the Group.”

Arwa Oeljeklaus, Head of ŠKODA AUTO North Africa

ŠKODA’s experience at the Dakar Rally
At the 40th run of the desert rally in 2018, a KODIAQ became the first ŠKODA ever to take part in what is arguably the world’s most demanding rally. ŠKODA’s large SUV was used in South America as a support vehicle for the Czech team BARTH Racing. The unmodified series-production model handled the almost 10,000-kilometre route through Peru, Bolivia and Argentina without any problems – at altitudes of more than 4,500 metres along some stretches. In 2021, a ŠKODA 130 LR, a former rally works car from the 1980s, took part in the Dakar Rally in the Classic category. It reached the finish after more than 7,600 kilometres through Saudi Arabia, celebrating a stage victory and several third places.

Apprentices from the ŠKODA Vocational School in Mladá Boleslav have been planning, developing and building a spectacular concept car every year since 2014. The student car project is a unique initiative in the Czech Republic and offers the skilled workers of tomorrow the chance to demonstrate their talents and capabilities in collaboration with experts from the company’s Production, Design and other departments. This gives the apprentices an insight into many different areas of the company. They learn to work on projects as part of a team, to combine planning and practical implementation, and to present their work to Board members. The student car is one of the most important projects for the ŠKODA Academy and impressively demonstrates the high quality of training at the Vocational School in Mladá Boleslav, which was founded in 1927.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

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