A New Student Car:
the ŠKODA ELEMENT

The fourth class has once again proved that ŠKODA Akademie is truly an incubator of talent. Do you find yourself among those who have been waiting for a buggy from ŠKODA? After all, it was this concept which eventually triumphed with the students. Truly, ŠKODA already had the same idea in the past. The ŠKODA BUGGY 736 was introduced to the public in 1973 and even released into production.

This is where the similarities end, however. The present-day hopes of the automotive future have given the buggy a whole new dimension. From their perspective, the car is not only a leisure or sporting vehicle, but also a practical helper first and foremost. Or, specifically, it should serve the needs of a handicapped person. The students were ideologically inspired by the life story of their friend Petr, who ended up in a wheelchair following a serious accident.

The ŠKODA ELEMENT is based on the smallest model line offered by ŠKODA, the CITIGO, and is powered by an electric motor.

It allows 100% relaxation in the countryside or at the beach and has a refrigerator as well as a 108 cm (diagonal) TV, which is located on the lid of the fifth door.

The students were enthusiastic about making the car of their dreams that they even decided to document the whole process on video as well. The Storyboard team helped them with the final cut— check out the result!

DANIEL LAUNA
INTERIOR

What does it mean for you to be a member of the Azubi Car 2017 team?

I really appreciate the fact that I could occupationally meet with people, who have already accomplished something in the automobile industry.

What do you take away from this experience for your own professional career?

This has given me lots of teamwork, communication and also self-confidence. I think that I will hold on to this throughout my life, both at work and personally.

What was it like to build the car of your dreams?

It was a great experience, which doesn’t happen to just anyone. When else can you be lucky enough to become a designer, an engineer, or a painter for a second?

What brought about the idea of designing the car for the needs of your handicapped friend?

We wanted to show, that young people aren’t just interested in fun and laziness - that we also know how to be considerate and happy to help when we have the opportunity.

Has Petr ridden in your car, and how did he rate it?

Yes, he’s already gone down and he was overjoyed. Not just from the car, but mainly from the idea of helping handicapped people as well.

What would you like to say to the Azubi Car 2018 team?

Have strong nerves and mainly, hang on. Not everything is the way it is. And be creative! Your ideas can benefit the next generation.

KLÁRA LUKÁŠOVÁ
LOGISTICS

What did your part in this unique project teach you?

I learned to act quickly, to solve things on the fly, communicate and organise. For me, it was also important to learn how to work with things I totally disagreed with. Because you are working with the team and the common interest takes priority.

How did it feel to work on your own dream car?

It is, above all, a lot of work, thinking and negotiating. On the beginning, nobody knew how challenging it would be. In the initial proposals you will not solve all the details, which are actually infinite.

What way is this year’s project special for you?

I like that we have managed to distinguish ourselves from the previous years. We don’t have a car full of lights, colors or unbeatable speakers. We focused above all on the practicality and social aspects of things, which is good.

What made you think of this idea?

Actually, chance. In the time when we were talking about it, one of my friends returned from a rehabilitation stay in Kladruby and so that idea entered into my head. Everyone was enthusiastic about this idea, including Petr.

What would you say to the 2018 Azubi Car team?

Don’t be afraid to experiment and do things another way. You can obtain the best result this way.

THE STUDENT DREAM CAR IS GOING FOR A FIFTH ROUND

For the fourth year running, a select team of students from SOUs ŠKODA AUTO can build the car of their dreams, which not only moves beyond their own personal boundaries, but also the perception of the ŠKODA brand.

Everything started from scratch 3 years ago, without experience or the necessary background. At the time, few knew that in the corner of the old works was a hidden trade school, where unique concepts from students were born, concepts that far exceeded the borders of the factory.

For everyone involved in the Azubi Car project, this is a unique opportunity to test out new things and work with the newest technologies, which cannot be experienced elsewhere in prototype construction. This is an extraordinarily complex work, in which students must not only think about functionality, manufacturability and the practical aspects of the vehicle or design, but also learn how to work with their own team.

IT NEEDS TO CLICK FROM THE BEGINNING

Finding solutions is sometimes so tough, that at first, few know if the ideas is even feasible. In addition, you need to use up literally every minute, because the project’s time consumption is perhaps its greatest challenge. Everything must click on the first go, because there’s no time for a second. Carsten Brandes, the director of ŠKODA Akademie adds: “Being a member of the Azubi Car team is an exceptional experience. Being around the technological changes which they are performing on the cars and, at times, the challenge in a nutshell - this is really fantastic experience for me.”

UNIQUE MEETING

As far as design goes, students have the opportunity to meet directly with the designers at ŠKODA. They consult with them on the approach of the work as well as the concrete details about the interior and exterior as well as colors and materials. “It is a joy to see how the students deal with individual obstacles and the auto apprenticeship project grows from year to year and improves. Each class is unique, and we always have to find an acceptable solution with the students and their teachers, which is not a compromise, but pushes the project further on,” explains Petr Matušinec, designer of exteriors for ŠKODA.