One thousand new transmissions will be produced daily. In connection with this project, Škoda Auto has filed an investment incentive application with CzechInvest, a development and business support agency.
Škoda Auto currently produces a transmission known as MQ 200 that is designed for engines with a torque of up to 200 Nm. The new transmission, MQ 100, is intended for petrol engines with torque up to 120 Nm. With 20% fewer components its weight will be significantly lower too.
“We are planning to use the new transmission in the New Small Family at the first stage and then, with possibility, also in other models of our brand and other small vehicles manufactured within the Volkswagen Group. The production launch is scheduled for late 2010,“ said Škoda Auto BOD Chairman Reinhard Jung.
The extension of the transmission production portfolio is marking the threshold of three million transmissions produced in the new-age history of the Mladá Boleslav engine manufacturing plant.
Despite the global crisis, the car scrapage schemes established in a number of European countries and the demand for smaller cars with lower volume engines has led to an increase in the production of engines at Škoda Auto because the Company specialises in small engines.