The vast majority of new orders came from the rail segment, where order intake increased by 129% year-on-year, driven primarily by battery-electric and hybrid train units. These solutions are well aligned with current customer needs and are benefiting from the ongoing electrification of rail networks in several markets.

“Battery-powered trains have become a key technology enabling operators to increase the share of zero-emission transport, even in regions where rail electrification is not yet widespread. We expect this segment to remain one of our strategic priorities in the years ahead,” added Petr Novotný. Strong growth was also recorded in both service contracts and component sales.

Škoda Group’s activities also make a significant contribution to public finances. The Group’s annual payments in social security and health insurance contributions, corporate income tax, and other business taxes amount to approximately CZK 2.5 billion. The company employs around 10,000 people, with the largest share working at its manufacturing facilities in Plzeň and northern Moravia, as well as, for example, in Finland.

Strong portfolio and growth across European markets

In the first half of the year, Škoda Group continued to expand its portfolio of vehicles, digital technologies, components, and services. Alongside its strong position in its home market, the company remains focused on further growth across Europe while also developing business opportunities in promising markets beyond the continent.

Škoda Group sees significant potential in battery-electric trains, which enable zero-emission operation on non-electrified rail lines. At the end of 2025, the company secured contracts for the delivery of up to 16 battery-electric trains for Latvia and up to 36 battery-electric trains for Slovakia. The next generation of its battery-powered RegioPanter is also being showcased at InnoTrans in Berlin.

The urban mobility segment is developing strongly as well. One of the company’s flagship references is the Škoda ForCity Plus 52T tram for Prague. The vehicles have already travelled more than one million kilometres in the Czech capital and carried approximately 12 million passengers. Their design has also been recognised with a prestigious Red Dot Design Award. Earlier this year, the Prague Public Transit Company exercised an option for 25 additional trams. Visitors to this year’s InnoTrans can also see the 52T on display. Škoda Group trams will soon be operating in Uppsala, Sweden, and Bergamo, Italy, while an option for additional vehicles has also been exercised in Brandenburg, Germany. To date, Škoda Group has sold more than 300 trams across 11 German cities.

At the same time, Škoda Group is reinforcing its position in the European trolleybus market. The company is supplying up to 61 trolleybuses to the German city of Esslingen, supporting its planned transition to 100% zero-emission public transport. The trolleybus destined for Esslingen is the third vehicle presented by Škoda Group at this year’s InnoTrans exhibition. Significant trolleybus deliveries are also underway to Sofia, Bulgaria, Tallinn, Estonia, and the company’s home city of Plzeň.

Beyond vehicle manufacturing, the importance of long-term service contracts and digital technologies continues to grow. Škoda Group is expanding its service network in the regions where it operates and enhancing support throughout the entire lifecycle of its vehicles. As part of this strategy, the company recently acquired a stake in the Latvian maintenance company SIA L-Ekspresis, strengthening its service capabilities across the Baltic region.

At the same time, Škoda Group continues to invest in proprietary digital solutions, including the ETCS train control system, anti-collision technologies, automatic train operation, telematics, and cybersecurity solutions. The company is also advancing the development of its own components and battery technologies, enabling it to offer customers increasingly comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for modern public transport.

Investment in manufacturing expansion

Last year, Škoda Group invested a total of CZK 2.6 billion in expanding its production capacity and improving operational efficiency. As a result, the company is now able to increase its annual output by up to 100 additional trains without the need for further major investments. “There are numerous opportunities emerging in the market, and our manufacturing facilities must be ready to seize them. We will use the increased capacity both for our own projects and for cooperation with other manufacturers,” explained Petr Novotný.

At the same time, rail vehicle manufacturing remains a cyclical industry, with projects often planned many years in advance. This means that companies may face unexpected challenges when optimizing production capacity planning. One current example is the situation at the Otanmäki facility in Finland, following Škoda Group’s controversial exclusion from the tender for trams for the Finnish capital, Helsinki, a decision that the company challenged through legal proceedings.

Outlook for the 2H 2026

The first half of the year continued to be characterized by growth, expanding technological capabilities, increased production capacity, and entry into new markets. Rail vehicles remain the Group’s key focus area, particularly electric, battery-electric, and hybrid trains for regional and suburban transport. Škoda Group will continue to build on its strong position in the Czech and Slovak home markets while systematically strengthening exports across Central Europe and other European regions. Beyond Europe, the Group will increasingly focus on selected international markets, particularly Central Asia, the United States, and India. “We are also open to cooperation with other rail vehicle manufacturers across Europe, with the aim of ensuring that trains made in Europe remain at the absolute forefront of global excellence,” concluded Petr Novotný.