Mladá Boleslav, 26 June 2025 – Škoda Auto has officially begun construction on a pioneering new paint shop at its main production site in Mladá Boleslav. Slated to commence operations in 2029, the cutting-edge facility marks a major milestone in the Czech carmaker’s strategy to future-proof its manufacturing operations, drive sustainable innovation, and streamline production across multiple powertrain platforms.
The new paint shop will add an impressive capacity of up to 1,600 vehicles per day, elevating the plant’s overall daily painting throughput to 2,600 units. But beyond scale, the facility represents a step-change in technology, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. Its advanced systems will enable highly precise paint application using innovative materials and automated processes, while also setting a new standard for sustainability within the Volkswagen Group.
A Strategic Leap Toward Flexible and Future-Ready Production
One of the most transformative aspects of the new facility is its ability to handle both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) models on the same line. This dual-platform capability will significantly increase production flexibility, allowing Škoda Auto to respond swiftly to evolving market demands without requiring separate infrastructure.
In line with growing customer expectations for visual customisation, the new paint shop will also support complex finishes such as two-tone colour schemes and matte paints – a first for Škoda Auto on this scale. These enhancements not only elevate the brand’s aesthetic offering but also improve process efficiency through wet-on-wet paint application and a new method of basecoat application that skips the traditional primer bake, lowering energy consumption without sacrificing quality.
Sustainability in Action: 28% CO₂ Reduction
Environmental compatibility has been at the heart of the new facility’s design. The paint shop will operate using a combined energy source – primarily biogas and electricity – to reduce emissions and optimise energy efficiency. It is expected to cut CO₂ output by 28% compared to the legacy paint shop it will replace, which has been in continuous operation since 1996.
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions – a key concern in automotive painting – will also be drastically reduced by over 14 grams per square metre. This significant improvement underscores Škoda Auto’s alignment with the Volkswagen Group’s broader climate goals, including carbon-neutral production across all Czech facilities by 2030.
Engineering Scale and Precision
The scale of the project is as impressive as its technological aspirations. The new building will span 301 metres in length, 131 metres in width, and stand 32.5 metres high – roughly equivalent to a seven-storey structure. With a total floor area of 118,000 square metres (the size of more than 16 football fields) and 15 kilometres of conveyor systems, the facility represents one of the most ambitious manufacturing infrastructure upgrades in the company’s modern history.
The painting process itself will continue to follow a rigorous multi-stage procedure to ensure long-term protection and finish quality. Starting with a cataphoretic anti-corrosion coating, the bodies will undergo PVC application in key zones before receiving a decorative basecoat directly onto the anti-corrosion layer – a new efficiency-oriented approach. The process culminates in a clear coat application and cavity waxing, delivering a total protective layer of approximately 100 micrometres.
Technological Excellence Meets Operational Intelligence
Among the many innovations to be implemented are robotic systems for PVC-based sealant application and automated units for plugging body openings – both of which reduce manual labour while increasing consistency and throughput. Additionally, a new curing oven with optimised temperature controls will ensure uniform drying and adhesion across complex surfaces and materials.
Andreas Dick, Škoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics, emphasised the project’s importance:
“The construction of a new paint shop at our main plant in Mladá Boleslav underscores our commitment to both the Czech Republic, the home of Škoda Auto, and the company’s ongoing development. The facility’s extensive use of cutting-edge technologies, such as robotic systems for PVC-based sealant application and automated systems for plugging body openings, will significantly boost efficiency. It will also set new environmental standards as one of the Volkswagen Group’s most advanced paint shops, substantially reducing VOC and CO₂ emissions by 28%.”
Building on a Legacy, Preparing for the Future
Since the opening of the current paint shop in 1996, followed by the second facility in 2019, Škoda Auto’s Mladá Boleslav site has served as a hub of production excellence. The addition of this third, next-generation paint shop will not only replace the aging 1996 facility but also ensure that the plant remains one of the most advanced in Europe.
Situated adjacent to the recently inaugurated Laurin & Klement Bridge, the site chosen for the new facility currently serves as a finished vehicle storage area. Its transformation into a high-tech, sustainable production asset is symbolic of the brand’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and environmental stewardship.
As Škoda Auto drives toward an increasingly electrified and carbon-neutral future, this new paint shop stands as a beacon of how advanced manufacturing can power progress without compromise.
