Dear SKODA owners:

May I just began with expressing my condolences, lol.

I just visited the plant in Mlad

But wouldn't you say the quality of the end product is more important than the assembly techniques used to make that product?

Rob.

Hi Rob,

I would say just that Bently is hand-made.

How do you like the quality?

Olga

Pretty good really...it certainly doesn't feel like a car built by hand in an ex-Communist country!

Rob.

Oh yeah, here are some pix from the Skoda museum.

http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?&collid=172729544105&photoid=562459544105

http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?collid=172729544105&photoid=862459544105&&refreshkey=1090425146685

http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?collid=172729544105&photoid=172459544105&&refreshkey=1090425146685

http://www.ofoto.com/PhotoView.jsp?collid=172729544105&photoid=372459544105&&refreshkey=1090425146685

Rob,

I am about to give a report in school about Skoda. Since you owned more then 1 (I assume) how would you say the car/company has changed. And I mean not only physical changes, what about Skoda customer service? Warranty? Etc.

By the way, I was born in the x-communist country (Ukraine) myself, I feel for those Chechs. I think that they are doing a good job establishing themselves as new members of EU.

Please reply. Thanks.

Olga

I've only owned one Skoda, so I couldn't really compare with the older generations of vehicle - there are people who post on here who might be able to help though.

Skoda customer service is pretty good - when I was looking to buy, Skoda were still trying to get the message across that they weren't a joke brand. Therefore, the sales staff were less complacent than a lot of other dealers who relied on the brand to do the selling.

Warranty has been good - I've needed stuff done (ironically it seems to be the VW components which tend to be affected!), and there's never been quibbles over it.

Personally I've never regarded Skodas as being bad cars...their engineering has always been first class, just the build quality and styling has been a bit behind other contemporary makes...

Rob.

Rob,

Thanks a bunch.

In my Skoda research, I have learned that the brand has been seen very differently by owners and non-owners. The owners view Skodas as good quality, good value and a sensible choice; whereas, non-owners use old stigma against the car.

I wish you to enjoy your car for many years to come.

Cheers,

Olga

Dear SKODA owners:

May I just began with expressing my condolences, lol.

I just visited the plant in Mlad

POST DELETED

No need for Personal abuse.

I think that's being a little unfair to Olga. In all likelihood, she (he?) only saw the final assembly area. Even in the most modern plant, with hundreds or thousands of robots making bodyshells, engines, and so on, final assembly is still done by hand - it's the only way to cope with a range of trim levels, engine sizes, etc.

sounds like a good trip - any idea how we could organise a trip from the UK to the factory?

I visited Mlad