Skoda Auto has produced the three millionth petrol 1.2 HTP. The three-cylinder engine of the EA 111 series has been running off production lines at Skoda’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav since 2001, and is used in Skoda, Seat and Volkswagen brand vehicles. In addition to the EA 111-series in the 1.2 HTP and 1.2 TSI versions, Skoda produces the 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI engines of the EA 211 series, as well as manual and automatic gearboxes in the Czech Republic. The carmaker has also produced its 500,000th MQ/SQ 100 gearbox, according to a company statement.
“Our company has been building engines for almost 115 years. This makes Skoda one of the longest-established engine developers and producers in the automotive industry,” says Michael Oeljeklaus, Skoda Board Member for Production and Logistics, adding “The milestones of producing three million 1.2 HTP engines and 500,000 MQ/SQ 100 gearboxes prove the power of our local production. We are going to strengthen this technological expertise in the years to come.”
The 1.2 HTP engine of the EA 111 series has been produced in Mladá Boleslav since 2001. The popular three-cylinder petrol engine is used in Skoda’s Fabia, Roomster and Rapid. The abbreviation HTP stands for ‘High Torque Performance’. Even at low speeds, the engine delivers considerable power. At the same time, the engine offers high efficiency and low weight.
Besides engine construction, the focus of Skoda’s component manufacture is in gear production. The automatic dual-clutch gearbox DQ 200 is built at the Vrchlabí plant. Skoda produces the manual MQ 200 and MQ/SQ 100 gearboxes at the plant in Mladá Boleslav. Around 500,000 of the latter had been manufactured by the end of March this year. Skoda has been producing the MQ/SQ 100 since mid-2011. The MQ/SQ 100 is used in the city car – the Skoda Citigo, amongst others.
Skoda plans to build on its expertise in engine and gearbox manufacture over the coming years. To this end, the manufacturer has established a new Powertrain Centre at Cesana’s Skoda Development Centre in Mladá Boleslav. The carmaker invested over 34 million euros into this project with support from the Volkswagen Group. This is currently the largest investment into development in the Czech Republic.
The foundry & forge is an important pillar of the innovative engine and transmission production at Skoda. The foundry & forge celebrated its 50th jubilee a few weeks ago. This area of production, founded in 1963 - shortly before the production of the Skoda 1000 MB was launched - is now one of the most advanced facilities of its kind, and is a Volkswagen Group ‘Centre of Excellence’.
Source: Skoda Auto