Škoda's Vrchlabí plant hits seven million DQ200 transmissions and eyes another record year

Škoda Auto's Vrchlabí plant has produced its seven-millionth DQ200 DSG automatic transmission, a milestone the company says reflects the exceptional dedication of its employees. The seven-speed dual-clutch direct-shift gearbox is used in Škoda vehicles and in other Volkswagen Group models, with around 60% of output exported worldwide for Audi, Cupra, Seat and Volkswagen vehicles. Vrchlabí is the only Volkswagen Group plant in Europe to supply DQ200 transmissions, which are also produced at the Group's plant in Dalian, China. Demand remains strong and supply volumes have increased, so after carrying out its usual modifications and maintenance during the annual summer shutdown the plant expects another record year.

The Vrchlabí plant has introduced a new way of handling large discarded parts, made possible by technical modifications to its foundry and forge. Those parts include transmission and clutch housings that are beyond repair or otherwise unsuitable for their original purpose, and they are made from aluminium, a valuable raw material that requires a great deal of energy to produce. A dedicated collection container now transports them safely, they are cleaned in a dedicated parts washer and protected from contamination, and they are then sent to the PKG/1 department for remelting so the aluminium can be reused.

The newsletter's employee profile features Dominika Králová of Internal Communications, who is in her fourth year as editor-in-chief of Škoda Mobil, the long-established employee newspaper published free of charge each month in print and online at skodamobil.cz. She joined Škoda Auto in 2016 as a student intern in Procurement and has worked in Internal Communications since 2017. She says the team meets three times a month, with the main editorial meeting typically bringing together up to 20 people, a core editorial team of five and a wider production team of 16 covering graphic design, pre-press, proofreading, printing and distribution. She describes the variety, pace and responsibility of the role and says the paper aims to reflect employees' own experiences and story ideas.