According to Serbian Economist, the Czech Škoda Group has confirmed plans to localize the production of both trains and trams in Serbia, with MIND Park in Kragujevac being considered as the site for such a project. The company announced this in a comment to N1 following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with MIND Group.
Škoda stated that its strategy in the Serbian market is geared toward a long-term presence in the sustainable transport segment and includes not only the supply of rolling stock but also maintenance, as well as long-term availability of spare parts. To strengthen its local presence, the company has decided to transfer part of the production of solutions for the Serbian market to its partner’s site—the MIND Group.
The company clarified that it intends to localize the production of both trams and trains. This includes, in particular, trams that could be manufactured to Belgrade’s specifications, as well as electric trains for suburban, regional, and cross-border service on the Serbian railway network.
Škoda explains that the localization of the full production cycle depends on the volume of orders and investments. At the same time, the company explicitly states that Serbia is viewed as a priority market in the Western Balkans, particularly due to a large-scale investment program in railway infrastructure. The company also confirmed that it is in contact with the Serbian Development Agency regarding investment incentives.
The issue is particularly relevant for Belgrade amid protracted procurement processes for new urban rolling stock. Tenders for new trams in recent years have either been suspended or faced complaints from bidders. At the same time, Škoda stated that it is reviewing the recently announced tender for the procurement of 60 new trolleybuses, although it is not commenting on ongoing commercial negotiations.
The Škoda Group is one of the largest Czech manufacturers of rail transport and urban mobility solutions. The company produces trams, electric trains, trolleybuses, and related transport technologies; in 2024, it secured new orders worth €1.7 billion and significantly increased its EBITDA while continuing to expand in European markets.
MIND Group is a Serbian industrial group developing the MIND Park industrial zone in Kragujevac as a cluster for mechanical engineering, logistics, and high-tech manufacturing. The partnership with Škoda aims to strengthen the park’s position as a hub for the localization of complex transportation industry operations in Serbia.
Ukrzaliznytsia JSC (UZ) has assigned a double-decker Skoda electric train to the Intercity+ route No. 741/742 Kyiv-Lviv for the New Year’s Eve and holidays, the company’s press service said on Wednesday.
According to the telegram, the train will depart from Kyiv on December 22, 24, 28, 30, and January 1, 2, 5, 7 at 14:58 and arrive in Lviv at 20:56.
The train will run back from Lviv on December 23, 25, 29, 31, and January 2, 3, 6, 8, departing at 8:05 a.m. and arriving in Kyiv at 14:10 a.m.
“A convenient transfer to Lviv from a Warsaw flight via Rava-Ruska has also been agreed in this direction,” UZ emphasized.
The company added that at the time of the Skoda electric train’s arrival in Lviv, a train with seating cars will run to Cherkasy on the route No. 729/730 according to a changed schedule.
In addition, an additional train No. 159/160 Kyiv – Truskavets (via Lviv) has been scheduled. It will depart from Kyiv on December 23 and 29 at 10:24 and arrive in Truskavets at 19:35.
In the opposite direction, the train will depart from Truskavets on December 23 and 29 at 8:26 a.m. and arrive in Kyiv at 18:44.
“Tickets for the upcoming dates are already available in the Ukrzaliznytsia app, chatbot, website, and at the ticket offices of the stations,” UZ said.
The Skoda EJ 675 Elephant electric train consists of six double-decker cars, has 636 seats and can accelerate to 160 km/h.
“Ukrzaliznytsia has purchased two Czech electric trains Skoda EJ 675 Elephant in preparation for Euro 2012.
The Eurocar plant (Solomonovo, Transcarpathian region) will resume production of ŠKODA cars from June this year, which was suspended with the start of Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine, the company’s press service reported.
“The Eurocar company, the official distributor of ŠKODA cars in Ukraine, announces the resumption of taking orders and production. The Eurocar plant in Transcarpathia will start working again in June,” the distributor’s website said on Thursday.
Prices and configurations of cars available for order are posted on the distributor’s website, the official delivery time is up to 280 days, but in fact it will depend on the number of orders in the queue and may be less. Vehicles in stock that were in stock until February 24th are also available for purchase.
“ŠKODA dealerships work depending on the situation in the regions where they are located. The warranty for cars during martial law in Ukraine is maintained in case of untimely completion of scheduled maintenance, provided that the level of technical fluids is observed,” the message says.
The Eurocar plant, the official manufacturer of Škoda cars in Ukraine, began producing cars in 2001, investments in the creation of the plant amounted to $250 million. Capacities for small-scale assembly of cars were created, buildings for welding and painting shops were built.
According to the Ukravtoprom association, in 2021 the plant assembled 3,476 vehicles, which is 2.7% more than a year earlier.
As reported, at present, the Eurocar plant operates as a humanitarian logistics hub, as well as a center for helping employees, with the involvement of a network of contacts of foreign partners as external support.
According to the data of the National Commission for Securities and Stock Market (NSSMC), as of the fourth quarter of 2021, more than 68.84% of the shares of Eurocar JSC are owned by Atoll Holding JSC, the beneficiary-controller of which is Oleg Boyarin, another 20% are owned by LLC “Prostir Capital” (Kyiv), 10% – Polish “Iberia Motor Company”.
The International locomotive building conglomerate Skoda Transportation has opened the first official representative office in Ukraine in Dnipro, according to the website of Dnipro City Council.
“The Dnipro residence will develop design projects for railway and public transport for the Czech company, as well as look for suppliers for production,” the report says.
Cooperation will also be facilitated by the presence in Dnipro of a network of manufacturers and repair enterprises of locomotive and heavy engineering.
“Our goal is for Skoda to return to Ukraine. Dnipro is a non-random choice. The city has a great potential,” Skoda Transportation Director for Human Resources Tesar Lumir said during the opening of the representative office.
Skoda Transportation produces railway locomotives, subway cars, suburban electric trains, as well as trams, trolleybuses, buses, engines, traction equipment. The conglomerate is also engaged in the modernization of rail and public transport. The brand cooperates with fourteen countries of the world, including Poland, China, and the United States.
