New Skoda Octavia: Series Production Begins

ŠKODA AUTO today officially initiated series production of the new ŠKODA Octavia in Mladá Boleslav. The third generation of this ŠKODA bestseller sets standards regarding its space offering, functionality, safety and comfort technology, timeless design and price-value ratio. This makes the Octavia a class of its own in the compact segment. The new model will be launched on the first European markets in late January 2013.

"The Octavia is the heart of ŠKODA brand," says ŠKODA CEO Winfried Vahland. "Our people have employed competence and passion to create the best Octavia ever. This car is a class of its own in every respect. It is a great moment to give the starting shot for the third generation here at our main plant today." As a central corner pillar of ŠKODA's growth strategy, the Octavia is to vigorously continue its predecessors' success story and further strengthen the position of ŠKODA on the international markets.

In preparation for the third Octavia generation, ŠKODA initiated on of the most comprehensive modernisation and expansion projects in the history of its main plant at Mladá Boleslav. At the core is an upgrade increasing the Octavia/Rapid production line's capacity step by step from 800 to 1,200 cars per day. Besides the new ŠKODA Octavia and the Rapid, Mladá Boleslav plant also makes the ŠKODA Fabia. "The start of the ŠKODA Octavia after that of the ŠKODA Rapid in August is the second major production ramp-up within the shortest time in our main plant," says Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA board member for production and Logistics. "The entire team, and especially production, planning, toolmaking and logistics have successfully managed a gigantic project, and this while production of the other models went on at the plant."

Production of the new ŠKODA Octavia has entailed a host of measures such as the commissioning of a new body shop and a fully automated interior painting line as part of the expansion of production capacity. In addition, a state-of-the-art press line is to come onstream at Mladá Boleslav in early 2013. In launching the new ŠKODA Octavia, ŠKODA ignites the next stage of the greatest model offensive in its company history. From today until 2015, ŠKODA plans to launch a new or revised model every six months on average. This fireworks of model launches is to resolutely extend the brand's current growth course, the aim being to raise the number of cars sold worldwide to a minimum of 1.5 million per year by 2018. The new ŠKODA Octavia is a cornerstone of this strategy.

The third generation is to forcefully continue the success story of the ŠKODA Octavia. The Octavia is by far the brand's bestselling model with a share of its worldwide deliveries of about 44 per cent in the first eleven months of 2012. Like no other car, the ŠKODA Octavia symbolises the brand's heady success story in the past two decades. Its launch in 1996 heralded the company's rise to become a manufacturer with an international presence and activities in more than 100 markets worldwide. Since 1996, more than 3.7 million Octavias have been delivered to customers.

Compared with its predecessor, the ŠKODA Octavia has grown in almost all dimensions. The car is a real space wonder and offers roominess common in vehicles one segment up. The new model is longer and wider than its predecessor and has a longer wheelbase. It offers rear-seat passengers the largest head and leg room in the class, and its boot, at 590 litres is also larger than that of any competitor, offering loads of space for passengers and their baggage.

The new ŠKODA Octavia features numerous innovative safety, comfort and infotainment systems usually the preserve of higher vehicles segments. Even so, the third generation weighs up to 102 kg less than its predecessor. This lightness and the new generations of cutting-edge TSI and TDI engines enable optimum figures for consumption and emissions. Also, the car boasts a large number of "simply clever" solutions while its large hatch permits it to combine the elegance of a saloon with the practical advantages of an estate. The new Octavia has become even friendlier to the environment without sacrificing driving pleasure. The engine line-up offers customers a broad choice from an especially thrifty GreenLine version with a mileage of just 3.4 litres of diesel and a mere 89 g/km CO2 to the top-of-the-line 132 kW as well as future all-wheel drive versions and a sporty Skoda Octavia RS.