Volkswagen’s Skoda unions opposes renewed talks on production moves

Trade unions at Volkswagen’s Czech unit Skoda Auto on Thursday declined any idea of shifting some of the production of its premium sedan model Superb to German plants.

Talks about moving some production to Volkswagen’s Emden plant have started again under the parent company’s management, the unions stated.

“The (unions’) committee categorically declined the possibility of moving Superb car production to another location out of the Czech Republic,” they stated, published in their weekly newsletter on their website.

A Skoda representative stated the automaker was observing ways to expand production.

“Currently we see several options, like the already announced expansion of the KAROQ model assembly to Osnabrueck (in northwest Germany). Apart from this, there are no other modifications planned for the Skoda brand at the moment,” Tomas Kotera stated in a response to an emailed question.

Volkswagen representative Leslie Bothge stated the company would not discuss about “speculation”.

The German auto group has been looking at ways to increase production at its Czech automaker to keep up with robust demand.

Skoda has flourished under almost 30 years of Volkswagen ownership to become one of its profit drivers, even surpassing luxury brand Audi’s and BMW’s operating margins in 2017.