Newsletter for employees and residents living near the Škoda Auto Kvasiny plant 1/2026

Dear readers,

In the first issue of this year’s Škoda Kvasiny newsletter, I would like to look back at last year’s achievements, which stand out even on an international scale. Despite the continuing uncertainty in the automotive sector, the Kvasiny plant significantly increased production and passed the 300,000-vehicle mark, driven primarily by growing demand for our flagship Kodiaq model, but also by using available capacity to build the Octavia, Škoda’s best-selling model.

I would therefore like to thank all employees for their tremendous commitment, as well as KOVO Trade Union for its valuable cooperation, and I believe that in 2026 we will write another successful chapter in the long history of the Škoda plant in Kvasiny. I am proud that the whole team here is pulling together, and our results clearly show it. The whole region can share in our success, and once again this year we are preparing several projects for it in collaboration with the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund. The popular grant programmes are already open and ready to fund projects in a range of areas, so I would like to invite everyone interested to put forward their activities, which we will be pleased to support. You can read more in the following pages. Wishing you a lovely spring!

Jan Umlauf
Head of the Škoda Auto Kvasiny plant

The Kvasiny plant built 301,500 Škoda vehicles in 2025
50,000 more than the year before

Production at the Kvasiny plant ran at full capacity last year, helped in part by the addition of the Octavia. The key factor, however, was growing demand for the flagship Kodiaq SUV.

Last year, 301,500 Škoda vehicles were built in Kvasiny, compared to 248,000 a year earlier. The Octavia, Karoq and Kodiaq are all produced there. Global demand for the Kodiaq (pictured) was so strong that production at the plant had to be expanded to a second assembly line. The Kodiaq from Kvasiny also became the millionth Škoda vehicle produced last year. In addition, 40,200 Seat vehicles were built at the Kvasiny plant.

Last year, Škoda Auto produced 1,065,000 Škoda vehicles at its plants around the world, representing year-on-year growth of 15% and a new record for the past six years. In addition, the carmaker produced more than 329,000 battery systems for Škoda electric vehicles and Volkswagen Group models, more than 1,030,000 manual and automatic transmissions, and over 500,000 engines.

Grant calls now open
Applications for project support can be submitted from March

The Škoda Auto Endowment Fund is once again opening programmes to support the quality of life of local people in the Rychnov region, and it is now also managing the Škoda Trees project.

This year’s grant calls from the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund (NFŠA) focus on three areas. The ‘Culture Gets the Green Light’ call is looking for new visions and new models of cultural activity, including support for visual art. The traditional ‘This Is My Home’ call supports activities aimed at developing civil society. NFŠA will also open the Škoda Trees programme, which has been running for 20 years and supports tree planting across the Czech Republic. More information is available on the NFŠA website.

Industrial zone officially opened

The new roads will also ease traffic across the whole area and shorten supply routes.

On Friday 13 March, the new Solnice industrial zone was officially opened in the presence of representatives of the Hradec Králové Region led by Governor Petr Koleta, Zbyněk Hořelica, Director of the State Fund for Transport Infrastructure, and representatives of Škoda Auto headed by Jan Umlauf, Head of the Kvasiny plant. The newly built roads will make supply deliveries easier and ease traffic across the whole area.

Maker Faire festival returns in April

Zámecká jízdárna will once again welcome makers and inventors, with more than seventy attending this year.

This year’s edition of the Maker Faire innovation and creativity festival will once again take place at its familiar venue, the Zámecká jízdárna cultural centre in the castle park in Rychnov nad Kněžnou, on Sunday 19 April. Visitors can look forward to a showcase of amateur and professional projects, as well as interactive installations. There will also be robotics, programming, 3D printing and lasers, while children can enjoy workshops and physics and chemistry experiments that will entertain adults too. The festival is once again being brought to Rychnov by the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund, and admission is free.

IN BRIEF

Health Days

At the end of March, the traditional Health Days event took place at the Kvasiny plant for all employees, offering a wide range of preventive screenings, including checks for cardiovascular disease, joint pain and smoking cessation. Specialists also highlighted the benefits of the Healthy Back and Mental Wellbeing Matters programmes.

Let’s Clean Up Czechia

Škoda Auto employees in Kvasiny and their loved ones will once again join nature conservation volunteers and head outdoors on Sunday 17 May as part of the nationwide Let’s Clean Up Czechia campaign. In previous years, they have helped remove several tonnes of waste from rare mountain locations.

Through the eyes of the plant manager: Jan Umlauf – Head of the Kvasiny plant

The Kvasiny plant has had a new head for more than a year now, which gave us the opportunity to ask for an interview on topics beyond purely work-related matters – including the classic cars Jan Umlauf keeps in his garage.

How was your first year as Head of the Kvasiny plant?
To be honest, when I was offered the opportunity to work in Kvasiny, I did not hesitate for a minute. Being part of a plant with such an outstanding history is a dream for everyone at Škoda. Since 2019, I had been responsible for the production plant in Mladá Boleslav, where I learned a great deal during the ramp-up of the Enyaq and the fourth-generation Octavia, and I have brought that experience with me to Kvasiny. I already knew Kvasiny fairly well from the past, as I had worked with my predecessors Jiří Černý and Miloš Halbich. We set ourselves ambitious targets for last year, and I would like once again to thank all my colleagues wholeheartedly for their truly excellent work, as well as KOVO Trade Union for its support, because together we achieved a new production record.

Could you briefly introduce the Kvasiny plant – what sets it apart or makes it stand out?
From my point of view, what makes the plant stand out is the commitment of the whole team, who perform their work enthusiastically and to an excellent standard. I can see that cooperation works well across all departments and that we truly operate as one team. I would also like to stress how much I value the high level of expertise shown by colleagues at every level of management.

What does a typical working day look like for you?
One of the best things about this job is that every day is completely different. The day begins with a morning summary of the current production situation and the outlook for the days ahead. Medium- and long-term planning for the plant’s development is also a very important part of the role. Last but not least, my work involves close ties with the area around the plant. We work with neighbouring municipalities and towns, as well as with our immediate neighbours. My wider life experience is helpful here, because I have also served as a councillor in my home village for the past eight years.

What new developments are planned at the plant?
This year, several major improvements await us, all of which are very important for the plant’s further development. During the summer shutdown, we will complete the conversion of the chassis line on assembly line 1, and major changes will also affect paint shop technology. One of the aims of these upgrades is to introduce a new topcoat, which will also have a positive impact on the plant’s environmental performance. Alongside these changes, we work with our colleagues from KOVO Kvasiny on a practically daily basis to keep improving conditions for our employees, for example by enhancing welfare facilities and refurbishing changing rooms, team areas and break spaces.

How do you unwind after work?
My family fills most of my free time. Both my children are at university, so we try to make the most of the time we have together. In winter, we are keen skiers, and in summer we enjoy cycling. My personal hobby alongside sport is historic vehicles. I own a 1974 Škoda 110 R and a 1984 Škoda Garde, and both coupés were built in Kvasiny. Both cars have undergone a thorough restoration. I regularly take part in events such as the Škoda Classic Tour with my family.

Can you tell us how much of the maintenance you do on your cars yourself?
Even when I was at grammar school, I wanted to go on to study motor vehicle design at the Czech Technical University in Prague, and I successfully completed that course. Cars have been my hobby since childhood, and back in the 1990s I used to tinker with a Favorit. I later put the experience I had gained to good use on the 110 R and the Garde. On these cars, I can handle almost everything myself, from stripping down the engine and repairing axles to fine-tuning and adjustment, so I consider myself fairly handy (smiles). What is more, I thoroughly enjoy this kind of hands-on work!

The Kvasiny plant built 301,500 Škoda vehicles in 2025 50,000 more than the year before

Grant calls now open Applications for project support can be submitted from March