Subiect: ŠKODA AUTO IS TO BUILD A NEW SERVICE TRAINING CENTER IN KOSMONOSY FOR PARTNERS

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-       The company will invest about CZK 167 million (EUR 6.8 million)
-       The new center will be opened at the end of 2011
-       The competence and knowhow of its partners is an important pillar for Škoda’s growth

Mladá Boleslav, 7 October 2010 – Škoda Auto continues to invest in the international growth of the brand. The foundation stone of an International Training Center was officially laid today in Kosmonosy, near Mladá Boleslav, the Czech Republic. Starting from the end of 2011, Škoda partners from all over the world will be educated and trained here. With the new training center, the company will strengthen the competence of its worldwide sales partners and continue to expand its role as an internationally important automobile manufacturer.
 
Participating in the event were Škoda board member Jürgen Stackmann (Sales and Marketing), the deputy of mayor of the municipality of Kosmonosy, Zdeňka Procházková, as well as the chairman of the union OS KOVO, Jaroslav Povšík. They laid the foundation stone for a training center that will be in a class of its own. Total investment is CZK 167 million (EUR 6.8 million) in the building-up. In addition, the European Union structural funds will co finance the project to the tune of CZK 67 million (EUR 2.7 million). Full operations will commence at the end of 2011.
 
“Qualified and modern training facilities for our partners are crucial for the worldwide success of the Škoda brand. The knowhow and competence of employees at car dealerships have a direct influence on customer satisfaction. Our investment in the quality of the Škoda partners, in their personal qualifications and those of their employees is an important contribution to the growth strategy of our company,” emphasized Jürgen Stackmann, board member of Škoda Auto for the Sales and Marketing Department.
 
The new center will primarily provide Škoda sales partners training in the areas of technology and processes, management and organization, as well as IT. Up to 200 persons can be trained on a daily basis. Both theoretical and practical knowledge will be given equal emphasis over a total surface area of 5,561 square meters. The main focus will be on implementing immediately in practice the knowledge learned and being able to apply the direct experience of the training participants at dealerships.