Škoda produces 500,000th DQ 200 transmission from its Vrchlabí, Czech plant

The Škoda Vrchlabí plant, the smallest of three production plants in the Czech Republic with a tradition dating back more than one hundred years, has manufactured the 500,000th dual-clutch transmission.

The modern direct shift transmission has been rolling off the production line in Vrchlabí since October 2012 and is used in Škoda vehicles as well as Volkswagen, Seat and Audi models. The Czech manufacturer, together with Volkswagen Group, had invested around 210 million euros (Rs 1,609 crore) in establishing DSG production.

Around 1,000 employees currently manufacture 1,500 DSG transmissions daily in the Škoda plant at the foot of the Krkonoše mountain range. Production takes place five days a week, around the clock in three-shift operation. At the beginning of 2014, the daily production capacity was increased from 1,000 to 1,500 DSG transmissions per day. 

“The figure of half a million manufactured DSG transmissions underlines the performance of the Vrchlabí plant and its employees and marks another milestone for Škoda’s powertrain production in the Czech Republic,” says Ivan Slimák, plant manager of DQ 200 transmission production in Vrchlabí. “Škoda has developed the plant into a new high-tech location for the company. The production facility is a cornerstone of Škoda’s strategy for growth,” says Slimák.

Two years ago, the Czech manufacturer, together with Volkswagen Group, invested around 210 million euros in setting up the production of the DQ 200. For around 27 million euros, new buildings were built or existing production halls were modernised. 180 million euros were invested in technical equipment and additional provisions, for example in the training centre for transmission production, in logistics functions, in Measurement centre and laboratories.

The seven-speed direct shift DQ 200 transmission is one of the most innovative automatic transmissions in the automobile industry. The technology combines the ease of an automatic transmission and the execution of quick gear changes without any reduction in traction. The Vrchlabí plant got the go-ahead for the production of the DQ 200 transmission in spring 2011.

The production of the DQ 200 underlines the high competency of the Czech producer in powertrain manufacturing. Alongside the production of transmissions in Vrchlabí, the MQ 200 and MQ/SQ 100 transmissions are rolling off the production line in the Mladá Boleslav plant. Another focus is on engine production. The Škoda parent plant Mladá Boleslav is currently building three- and four-cylinder petrol engines for the EA 211 series as well as powertrains for the EA 111 series.

In the coming years, the company wants to further expand its powertrain competency. As the most recent step, at the beginning of September this year, Škoda opened a new engine centre in  Mladá Boleslav. The manufacturer, together with Volkswagen Group, invested around 45 million euros (Rs 1,609 crore) in this alone.