VAG Division – Volkswagen Group Car Club

• Annual production of 110,000 vehicles at GAZ plant agreed
• Local production of Volkswagen and Škoda models planned

Wolfsburg / Nizhny Novgorod, June 14, 2011: Volkswagen and the GAZ Group today signed an agreement to assemble Volkswagen and Škoda models under contract at the GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod. The companies already concluded a memorandum of understanding regarding joint automobile production in Russia in February 2011. The planned production volume is 110,000 vehicles per year. The agreement runs until 2019.

Under the contract manufacturing agreement, GAZ is to build the Volkswagen Jetta, Škoda Octavia and Škoda Yeti models for the Russian market. In order to respond swiftly to fast growing demand in the Russian automobile sector, the first model to be built by GAZ, the Škoda Yeti, is to start rolling off the production line by the end of 2012.

Commenting on the agreement Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, said: “The Russian market is a growth engine for the automobile industry and an important pillar of our Strategy 2018. The quick expansion of production capacity in cooperation with GAZ will significantly strengthen the Volkswagen Group’s position on this key market.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Nizhny Novgorod Detlef Wittig, General Representative of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, said: “The agreement with GAZ is a further milestone in expanding our industrial commitment in Russia. Apart from the contract manufacturing of 110,000 vehicles per year at GAZ, we will also be expanding capacity at our plant in Kaluga in order to participate in the boom on the Russian market. We look forward to continued open and constructive cooperation with GAZ.”

The collaboration with GAZ is based on an additional agreement to Decree 166 relating to customs duties benefits which was concluded with the Russian government at the end of May. Back in February, the Volkswagen Group and the GAZ Group signed a memorandum of understanding regarding joint automobile production in Russia.

Investment in production at Nizhny Novgorod will amount to some €200 million. This covers expanding and modernizing existing paint shop and assembly facilities as well as setting up a new body shop.

In addition, Volkswagen and GAZ will be implementing a comprehensive training programme for employees in Nizhny Novgorod, thus ensuring that the locally produced models meet the Volkswagen Group’s global quality standards.

Škoda Superb takes Best Large Car for second year running
New Superb Estate takes the crown for Best Estate Car
Yeti is announced as runner-up in new category; Best Crossover Car
The Škoda Superb has been named in the Diesel Car magazine’s annual Car of the Year awards 2010, taking the top spot in two categories.

The Superb outshone the competition for the second year running in the Best Large Car category, whilst the new Superb Estate was named Best Estate Car winning over stiff competition from a number of other brands.

The Yeti was also recognised in the awards, earning the runners up spot in one of the new categories; best Crossover Car. Since its launch in September 2009 the Yeti has proved to be a runaway success, winning the Top Gear magazine ‘Family Car of the Year’ award and being shortlisted for European Car of the Year in 2010.

In recognition of the Superb’s impressive design and value for money, the Diesel Car awards will join the array of other accolades that the Superb has picked up to date including the Top Gear Luxury Car of the Year Award in 2010.

Well deserving of the top spot in the Best Estate Car, the new Superb Estate was launched at the start of the year and is the largest and most luxurious car to ever wear the Škoda badge. Originally designed in the 1930s with luxury and elegance in mind, today’s Superb range builds on these strengths, with more rear legroom than many prestige cars on the market and some ingenious technological advances such as AFS (adaptive front light system), touch screen technology and park assist.

An acknowledgment of the high standard and quality of the Škoda Superb, the Diesel Car Awards demonstrate that the luxury, striking design and value for money that the Superb offers is certainly a winning combination.

Skoda Yeti Finds Soul Mate

• Furry beast united with car of same name
• Škoda offering reward to Yeti spotters
• New crossover vehicle will be won by one lucky Yeti spotter

Škoda has finally tracked down the furry Yeti beast spotted across the UK in recent weeks.  With the help of thousands of Yeti spotters, Škoda has found the furry but friendly beast and re-united him with his favourite car and namesake.

The trail of evidence that helped in tracking Yeti down can be found on www.yetispotting.com, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  These sites have helped keep members of the public, and Škoda, aware of the furry Yeti’s location over the summer.

Škoda is so happy with the outcome that it is offering a huge reward to Yeti spotters – the chance to win a Škoda Yeti vehicle of their own.  Over the weekend of 12-13 September, one lucky person will win a new Škoda Yeti, just by spotting the car in one of the UK’s major family attractions.  Clues to help people find the Yeti’s location can be found at www.yetispotting.com and on local radio in major UK cities.

Yeti Spotters will be impressed with great prices and Škoda’s legendary high levels of specification.  Combining the strengths of a traditional 4×4 with the practicality and low running costs of a hatchback, Yeti is a true crossover that will provide the best value in its class.

Those who spot Yeti can enter a prize draw to win a brand new Yeti, along with family passes to local attractions for runners up.

The Škoda Yeti will be available in four trim levels, with a choice of five engines and either two- or four-wheel drive. DSG transmission will be available with the 1.2 TSI 105bhp petrol engine.

The entry-level Yeti E, starting at £13,725, is available in front-wheel drive, with either a 1.2 TSI or the 2.0 TDI CR 110bhp diesel engine. Yeti E includes items such as air conditioning; remote central locking; driver and passenger front side and curtain airbags; sound system with single CD player; 16” steel wheels; and front electric windows.

Yeti S, starting from £14,225, is available with either two- or four-wheel drive with a choice of two engines starting with the 1.2 TSI 105bhp, available with DSG or manual transmission.  Yeti S adds 16” alloy wheels; front fog lights; rear electric windows; and driver’s knee airbag to the Yeti E specification.

Yeti SE starts at £15,625 and is also available in either two- or four-wheel drive.  The engine choices range from the 1.2 TSI 105bhp to the 2.0 TDI CR 140bhp.  Equipment over Yeti S includes dual–zone air conditioning; cruise control; touchscreen 6-CD player; acoustic rear parking sensors; and 17” alloy wheels.

The top-of-the-range Yeti Elegance starts at £17,575 and is available with a choice of five engines – including the 2.0 TDI CR 170 bhp 4×4. Additional equipment over Yeti SE includes off-road button with the 4×4 transmission; ESP; heated front seats; bi-xenon headlights with cornering function; full leather upholstery; and rain sensor windscreen wipers.

Yeti breaks cover on 17 September and combines safety, comfort and bold styling in a car that drivers and their families will love to own. Add the practicality of frugal fuel consumption and low emissions to Škoda’s great value and family-friendly touches and it’s clear why Škoda is the manufacturer of happy drivers.

For more information on how to win a Škoda Yeti, go to www.yetispotting.com or follow Yeti on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Skoda Superb Estate

Škoda Auto will present the estate version of its flagship model Superb at the forthcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The car is a logical continuation of the Superb model series and offers an ideal combination of practicality and elegance. The estate version follows on from the hatchback, the current generation of which has found more than forty-two thousand owners, in just over a year since it was launched.

The newest addition to the Superb range extends the tradition of estate versions that are typical of what customers have become used to in Škoda cars –timeless design and spacious interior that make the Superb estate an ideal car for every driver who requires a comfortable, reliable car in all circumstances.