CZECH car maker Skoda is gearing up for production of its next generation Kodiaq SUV with work now under way at its Kvasiny factory to prepare for the arrival of the new model.

The first pilot production vehicles are already being produced, while series production will commence next year.

The new Kodiaq will also be available as a plug-in hybrid and as with its predecessor, the new model will be manufactured at the Kvasiny plant on the same production line as the Karoq, Superb and Superb iV.

The new-generation Superb will start rolling off the production line in Bratislava in early 2024, freeing up capacity for some 150,000 additional units of the Kodiaq and Karoq SUVs annually.

Skoda is investing around 12 million euros in converting the production line to also take account of future requirements, with the line already being prepared to produce the Kodiaq iV with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The investments involve the integration of existing technologies such as manipulators, chassis assembly and conveyors and the modification of robots for window-glue application. Up to 410 second-generation Kodiaqs should then roll off the assembly line every day.

The second generation vehicle will have its debut this autumn, with the market launch to follow in 2024.

Michael Oeljeklaus, Skoda Auto board member for production and logistics, said:"The preparations for the production of our upcoming second-generation Kodiaq are already in full swing.

"As is typical for Skoda, we are once again using existing infrastructure while cleverly integrating new technologies. However, comprehensively adapting and further future-proofing an assembly line that remains in operation is a highly demanding task both technically and logistically.

"At the same time, we have also successfully redistributed and optimised our model production and were thus able to free up additional capacity."