Skoda starts production of the new Octavia Combi

Skoda has officially started the series production of the Octavia Combi at the Mlada Boleslav plant. Just a few weeks after its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, the first series units of the new model rolled-off the assembly line at
Skoda's main plant. The third-generation of the popular bestseller offers lots of room, top-level safety, a dynamically elegant design, fuel-efficient engines and many 'Simply Clever' features. The new Skoda Octavia Combi is to be launched onto the first European markets in May.

"The Skoda Octavia Combi was 2012's best-selling estate in Europe," says Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland, Skoda CEO. "The new generation has everything to continue this success in the coming years. The new Octavia Combi offers even more car, even more space and even more 'Simply Clever' solutions - in short: more Skoda," he continued.

The production facilities at the Mlada Boleslav plant have been expanded and modernised significantly to accommodate the manufacture of the new Skoda Octavia Combi. For the production of the Octavia/Octavia Combi and Rapid, the Czech manufacturer gradually increased the capacity of the assembly line from 800 to 1,200 vehicles per day.

"We are facing the third major start of production within a few months," said Michael Oeljeklaus, the Skoda Board Member for Production and Logistics. "My compliments to the entire team working in production, planning, tool-making and logistics for rising to this challenge with great competence and passion," adds Oeljeklaus.

The new Skoda Octavia Combi is 90 mm longer and 45 mm wider than its predecessor. The wheelbase has grown by almost 11 cm. The result is new benchmarks in terms of space and room. No other vehicle in this segment offers as much legroom or such a large boot.

The design of the Octavia Combi boasts clarity, precision and perfect proportions. The new Skoda design language is a perfect fit for the new Octavia Combi, too. "This car is a complete package, the Combi is room at its finest," said Dr. Frank Welsch, the Skoda Board Member for Technical Development.

The new Octavia Combi can also be fitted with state-of-the-art safety, comfort and infotainment systems that you would normally find in higher vehicle segments. Yet, the new generation weighs up to 102 kilograms less than its predecessor. This 'slimming down' as well as the new generation of state-of-the-art TSI and TDI engines allow for record values in fuel efficiency and emissions. On average, the fuel consumption is 17 per cent lower than in the previous model. The efficient GreenLine version runs at only 3.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometers, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of only 87 g/km.

Posted in: Assembly/Manufacturing Plant,Dr. Frank Welsch,Europe,International,Michael Oeljeklaus,Mlada Boleslav Plant,Octavia Combi,Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland,Skoda,TDI Engine,Third-Generation,TSI Engine