A long tradition  

Škoda is one of the manufacturers of rolling stock with the longest tradition. Vehicles with our signature still have a great influence on the shape of public transport not only in Europe, but also elsewhere in the world. They represent a unique combination of modern design and the latest technologies that ensure safety and reliability. Our know-how allows us to produce products that can meet the demands of modern and dynamic urban environments. Our vehicles are synonymous with quality. 

Our own design team  

Škoda Group cooperates with external design studios and universities with a focus on design, while maintaining a strong in-house design team. The in-house team ensures the necessary continuity. 

The in-house team currently consists of six industrial designers led by Tomáš Chludil. Each of our designers specializes in a particular area of design, which allows us to create sophisticated and innovative solutions that meet the demanding requirements of our customers. The unique perspective and know-how of each team member gives us everything we need to achieve a successful outcome. However, other and much larger teams of designers, engineers and developers collaborate on vehicle designs, giving the design team’s vision a realistic shape. 

Smaller projects with unique and tailor-made designs  

Vehicle purchases don’t come cheap. Therefore, manufacturers often come up with one-size-fits-all solutions that, while reducing production costs, do not take into account individual client requirements.   

Škoda vehicles are unique as they perfectly complete the overall image of a city. In our designs, we study the architecture of the city and its infrastructure in detail. Our customers choose us because we are able to design and create a vehicle that is not only functional, but also fits in with the overall concept of urban planning. Both by choosing colours that are typical of the city and by a shape that is based on the built environment.   

 

Testing designs in action 

One of the key priorities of Škoda Group is to ensure that vehicle designs are not only aesthetic, but also practical and functional. For this reason, we create real-size models on which potential passengers, drivers, attendants and other concerned persons can test how the proposed solution would work in real conditions. We believe that this feedback allows us to refine the design so that the resulting vehicle is as user-friendly as possible, while being as efficient as possible. 

Most recently, we have tested the mock-up of sleeper cabin for new night trains for the Finnish state operator VR this way. 

 

Common design elements  

Our designers focus on a uniform visual style, purity of form, clearly defined curves and a confident expression of our rolling stock.   

The hallmark of the Škoda vehicles is the black mask seamlessly linked to the windscreen. This element houses the headlights and logo, which are thus highlighted. Although each type of vehicle is a different size or shape and uses different technology, this is where they all meet visually.