Škoda Auto has officially launched construction on a next-generation paint facility at its main production site in Mladá Boleslav. Set to begin operations in 2029, the new plant will handle up to 1,600 car bodies each day. Together with the site’s current capacity, this will bring total daily output to 2,600 units.
The facility will be equipped with advanced automation and robotic systems designed to improve both quality and efficiency in the painting process. It will handle both internal combustion and electric vehicle platforms and offer expanded capabilities, including matte finishes and dual-tone designs.
This project supports Škoda Auto’s broader strategy to reach carbon-neutral production at its Czech plants by 2030. The company expects to reduce emissions from its painting operations by 28% and significantly lower the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The plant will feature cutting-edge systems, including robotic application of PVC sealants and automated sealing of body openings, to further boost operational efficiency and environmental performance.
Andreas Dick, Board Member for Production and Logistics, Škoda Auto “This investment reflects our long-term commitment to sustainable vehicle manufacturing and to the Czech Republic as the heart of our operations. The new facility will set new benchmarks within the Volkswagen Group for environmentally responsible production.”
Škoda Auto currently operates two paint shops at its Mladá Boleslav plant. The oldest has been in use since 1996 and will be replaced by the upcoming facility. A second, more modern shop began service in 2019. Once completed, the new building will enable more advanced paint options, including custom roof colours and matte finishes.
The new facility will be a large-scale structure, measuring 301 metres long, 131 metres wide, and 32.5 metres high — roughly the size of a seven-story building. With a total floor space of 118,000 square metres (about 16 football fields), the site will include 15 kilometres of conveyor lines. It will be built on the current location of a vehicle storage area, close to the recently completed Laurin & Klement bridge.
Painting is a critical phase in vehicle manufacturing, providing both protection and long-term visual appeal. Škoda’s multi-layer paint process includes a rust-proofing cataphoretic layer, PVC reinforcement in high-stress areas, and advanced wet-on-wet application of precoat and base layers. A newly introduced technique will allow direct application of the base layer onto the cataphoretic coating, removing the need for a separate primer curing step—reducing costs while maintaining quality. The entire process concludes with a clear coat and cavity wax treatment, resulting in a protective film roughly 0.1 mm thick.
The upcoming paint shop will allow Škoda to paint vehicles of various powertrains—electric and combustion—on the same line, improving production agility. A specially developed curing oven will ensure consistent finish quality throughout the process.
To reduce its environmental footprint, the facility will use a mix of biogas and electricity. This approach aims to cut emissions, lower operating costs, and support Škoda Auto’s sustainability objectives. VOC emissions will drop by more than 14 grams per square metre, while CO₂ output will be reduced by 28% compared to current methods. These efforts are central to the company’s pledge to reach carbon neutrality at its production sites by the end of the decade.
