The flagship model is made at five sites: Kvasiny (Czech Republic), Aurangabad (India), Nanjing (China), Ust-Kamenogorsk (Kazakhstan) and Solomonovo (Ukraine)
22 Mar 2019 | 5550 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Today, the 500,000th third-generation Skoda Superb rolled off the production line in Kvasiny. The Skoda flagship ushered in a new era for the brand when its production started in March 2015 – with this Superb, the Czech carmaker launched the largest model campaign in its history.
Michael Oeljeklaus, Skoda ...
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Today, the 500,000th third-generation Skoda Superb rolled off the production line in Kvasiny. The Skoda flagship ushered in a new era for the brand when its production started in March 2015 – with this Superb, the Czech carmaker launched the largest model campaign in its history.
Michael Oeljeklaus, Skoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics, said, “Today, we have half-a-million reasons to be proud. The production milestone is great evidence of the Skoda Superb's continued popularity. With its design and technological qualities as well as unbeatable amount of interior space, we have been substantiating the brand’s aspiration in the mid-size car segment for four years. The Superb – which is now produced at five different factories – ranks among the best and most successful mid-size cars, and the brand owes a large proportion of its growth to it.”
The Skoda Superb's production figures emphasise the success of the brand’s flagship: After the launch of the first generation in 2001, 136,100 of which were produced, the successor saw a significant rise in the numbers of cars made. Between 2008 and 2015, 618,500 Skoda Superbs of the second generation were produced. In March 2015, the current, third generation was launched, since then, 500,000 Skoda Superbs have been produced. In total, 1.25 million units of Skoda's top model have left the assembly line since 2001. In 2019, the Superb will start the second half of its model cycle with a comprehensive upgrade and a new plug-in-hybrid version.
The story of the Superb model range dates back to 1934, when the Skoda 640 Superb was launched. It was derived from the Latin word ‘superbus’, meaning ‘marvellous’, ‘outstanding’ or ‘magnificent’. The name has always been synonymous with the most supreme of Skodas and – until 1949 – adorned the brand’s luxury limousines.
In 2001, ten years after becoming part of Volkswagen Group, the Czech brand took up the name rich in heritage once again, and re-entered the mid-size car segment with the first generation of the modern-era Skoda Superbs. Back then, it was the brand’s third model range, alongside the Octavia and the Fabia, and impressed customers with its modern technology and generous amount of space. Between 2001 and 2008, 136,100 vehicles rolled off the production line.
In 2008, the second-generation Skoda Superbs made its worldwide debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The new model was impressive, boasting even more space, an elegant appearance and supreme workmanship. The Superb was now available with all-wheel drive for the first time. In 2009, the Skoda Superb Combi followed.
And in 2015, the Czech carmaker set new benchmarks when launching the current Superb. In just four years, half-a-million third-generation models have been created. 358,200 of these were made in Kvasiny alone. Another four production sites have been added since the car was launched: Aurangabad (India), Nanjing (China), Ust-Kamenogorsk (Kazakhstan) and Solomonovo (Ukraine). Today, the SUPERB ranks among the best and most successful mid-size cars across Europe and has contributed considerably to Skoda’s continued growth trajectory.