Škoda Auto has commenced construction of a cutting-edge paint shop at its main manufacturing plant in Mladá Boleslav, marking a key milestone in its efforts to future-proof operations. Slated for completion in 2029, the new facility will be capable of processing up to 1,600 car bodies per day. Once operational, the combined daily capacity of the Mladá Boleslav site will rise to 2,600 bodies.
Equipped with advanced automation, robotics, and innovative technologies, the new paint shop will ensure superior quality in protective coatings. It will be versatile enough to handle both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles, while also supporting two-tone paintwork and matte finishes—enhancing production flexibility and efficiency.
The project plays a central role in Škoda Auto’s commitment to carbon-neutral manufacturing across its Czech plants by 2030. In addition to a 28% reduction in CO₂ emissions from painting processes, the facility will also contribute to lowering volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, reinforcing the brand’s focus on sustainability.
“The construction of this new paint shop at our main plant in Mladá Boleslav highlights our strong commitment to the Czech Republic—Škoda Auto’s home—and to the company’s continuous progress,” said Andreas Dick, Škoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics. “By integrating state-of-the-art technologies, including robotic systems for PVC-based sealant application and automated solutions for sealing body openings, the facility will deliver significant efficiency gains. It will also raise the bar in environmental performance, emerging as one of the Volkswagen Group’s most advanced paint shops with a 28% reduction in both VOC and CO₂ emissions.”
Optimal conditions for advanced body treatment at Škoda’s main plant
The Mladá Boleslav site currently has two paint shops, with the original facility operating since 1996. This older facility will be fully replaced by the new paint shop, which offers additional capabilities such as contrasting roof colours and matte finishes. The second paint shop began operations in 2019. Together with the new facility, Škoda Auto’s main plant will provide optimal conditions for advanced body surface treatments.
Highlighting the scale of the project, the new building will measure 301 metres in length, 131 metres in width, and 32.5 metres in height, comparable to a seven-storey structure. The total floor area will span 118,000 square metres – equivalent to over 16 football fields – and the conveyor system will extend to 15 kilometres. The facility will be built on the current site of a finished-vehicle car park, adjacent to the recently opened Laurin & Klement bridge.
Painting is among the most important stages of vehicle production, as it provides long-term aesthetic quality and all-round protection against external factors. The body surface protection process includes multiple layers: a cataphoretic anti-corrosion coating, PVC application in vulnerable areas, followed by precoat and base coat paints applied using a wet-on-wet process. For the first time, Škoda will employ a process that applies the decorative basecoat directly onto the cataphoretic layer without baking the primer coat, optimising cost efficiency without compromising quality. The final clear coat and cavity waxing complete the process, resulting in a total coating thickness of approximately 100 micrometres (0.1 mm).
Cutting-edge paint technology: flexible, precise, economical, sustainable
The new paint shop at Škoda Auto’s Mladá Boleslav plant will greatly increase operational flexibility by accommodating both ICE and electric models on the same production line. It will feature a new curing oven, optimised for precise curing of coatings throughout the painting process. A combined energy source, using biogas and electricity will boost flexibility, reduce emissions, and lower costs.
Moreover, the new paint shop will set benchmarks for environmental compatibility: VOC emissions will decrease by over 14 grams per square metre, and overall CO₂ emissions will be reduced by 28%, contributing substantially to Škoda Auto’s carbon-neutral production goal by 2030.
 and electric vehicles. This will streamline production and improve overall efficiency. Additionally, the new paint shop will deliver substantial environmental benefits, cutting CO₂ emissions by 28% annually compared to the existing facility, which has been in operation since 1996.Ask ChatGPT){kind=link}