INTRODUCING THE ULTIMATE SKODA. The first three generations of the Superb have been manufactured in Kvasiny (Czech Republic) since 2001, but the fourth will soon leave the production line in Bratislava. The automobile factory founded in the early 1970s as Bratislava Automobile Works (known locally as BAZ) not only supplied components to Mladá Boleslav, but also produced complete Škoda vehicles, such as the Garde and Rapid coupes, very popular in their time. . The Škoda Citigo is a more recent example.
Some difficult beginnings
When the Bratislava Automobile Works, based in the Devínska Nová Ves district, was founded on July 1, 1971, it was thought that this factory would manufacture mid-range passenger cars. Instead of the licensed production that had been contemplated, the decision was made to focus on the Škoda 720, which was then being developed in Mladá Boleslav. This prototype with a front engine that drove the rear wheels was going to be offered as a saloon and as a more practical estate car. But the project did not go beyond the prototype phase and ended up being forgotten.
Generous investment in modern equipment at the Bratislava automobile factory, including high-capacity pressing and welding plants, came to virtually nothing. For a long time, the factory was limited to manufacturing accessories and parts or sub-assemblies supplied to other Czechoslovak car manufacturers, such as door hinges and axle parts for Škoda cars. The product range was completed with industrial robots and manipulators.
The prestigious Garde
The first mass-produced car in Slovakia was the Škoda Garde coupé, one of the pinnacles of Czechoslovak automotive design at the time. Production of the Garde moved from Vrchlabí (Czech Republic) in April 1982. Four thousand units of the popular model were manufactured in three years.
Not wanting to be left out, the Bratislava designers developed their own coupe based on the Garde, the BAZ Škoda 743 Locusta. What stood out about the Garde was its characteristic appearance and, above all, the Yugoslavian brand Zastava engine (Fiat license), which drove the front wheels. Another interesting project developed at the BAZ factory was the 1982-1983 Furgonet light commercial vehicle, which was based on the Škoda 105/120 saloon. The engine remained in the rear, in this case under the floor of the spacious box-shaped body. However, as happened with the Locusta and many other projects, it did not go beyond the prototype phase.
In the following period, the production of axles and other components continued in the halls of the Bratislava factory, mainly for the Škoda 130/135/136, Rapid and Favorit models, but also for the Škoda 1203 light commercial vehicle, production of which began. in Vrchlabí (Czech Republic) before moving to Trnava (Slovakia).
1991: under the wings of VW
After 1989 and the end of the communist state economy, the search for strong strategic partners for Czechoslovak companies began. In the case of Bratislava Automobile Works, serious candidates included General Motors, Renault and Volkswagen. As in the case of Škoda in Mladá Boleslav, the offer from VW, which was already the largest European car manufacturer at that time, was the best valued. In March 1991, the consortium acquired the majority of the company, later becoming the sole owner, and the company was renamed VW Slovakia. Currently, VW Slovakia has around 11,000 employees at plants in Bratislava, Stupava, Martin and Košice.
The first model of the new era in Bratislava was the third generation Volkswagen Passat (B3), and production of the Variant Arriva estate began on December 21, 1991. Manufacturing of powertrains continued and other models were added in total of five brands of the Volkswagen Group, for example the Volkswagen Golf and the Polo. Another milestone in the company’s development was the start in 2002 of the production of the large SUVs Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, which were later joined by the Audi Q7.
Škoda returned to Bratislava with the Octavia in 2008-2011. This was followed by the production of the Škoda Citigo (2011-2021) and, starting in 2019, the first series-production electric vehicle of the Mladá Boleslav brand: the Škoda Citigoe iV.
The popular Karoq SUV has also been manufactured in Slovakia for some time. Now the range of cars made in Slovakia will be completed with the new Superb and Superb Combi.
Excellence for the next generation
Compared to its predecessor, the fourth generation Superb is longer and taller, offering even more space for occupants and cargo. In addition to its traditionally attractive price-quality ratio, high utilitarian value and practicality, reinforced by 28 Simply Clever functionalities, customers will also be impressed by the car’s cutting-edge technology and, last but not least, the strong emphasis on The sustainability. The six propulsion systems on offer include advanced turbocharged four-cylinder engines powered by gasoline or diesel, and in addition to the mild hybrid, a plug-in hybrid version with an electric range of more than 100 km will also be available. An all-wheel drive Superb will also be offered.
INTRODUCING THE ULTIMATE SKODA
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