"The project was created 'from below', by the employees. We dipped into our reserves for funding," says the author of the idea from Škoda Auto about the production of the Enyaq Respectline rainbow car
Where and how did the idea for the Enyaq Coupé Respectline come about?
The idea was born in my head 2 years ago during the European Diversity Month, when I was thinking how to raise even more awareness about equal and fair access for all people and to get our cars involved.
Has Skoda Auto ever made a car like this? Maybe on a different theme, to promote equal and fair access for all?
No, this is a completely unique project that was created at Škoda for the first time.
How was the implementation of such an idea carried out?
Given the size of the company, it wasn't exactly easy at first. The project had to go through many internal approval processes and we had to create a project team made up of colleagues from across the car company.
This involved everything from preparing a presentation, securing funding, building a team, securing suppliers and finding a suitable car for implementation.
How long did it take you?
From approval to lighting up the Rainbow Face (the rainbow mask of the Enyaq Respectline, ed. note) at the event, it took about 3 months of hard work by the entire team.
Did you encounter any obstacles during the implementation? What was the biggest problem you had to deal with?
Yes - the biggest challenge was securing funding from the approved budget for 2023, which all departments have planned for specific projects for the whole year ahead. In the end, there were 2 areas that had to dip into their reserves for funding.
So how much did it cost to prepare and implement this project?
More important than the finances is the effort and energy put in by all the colleagues involved in the project. And there was a lot of it.
Okay, I understand. How did your colleagues react to the idea of a rainbow car to promote diversity and inclusion?
Reluctantly at first, but the more we talked about the topic and saw the first designs, the more they became interested and absorbed in the project and came up with new ideas, thoughts and visions for the subsequent use of the car themselves.
How did you deal with the negative reactions?
With humour and exaggeration. (laughs) No, seriously, as the name of the Respectline car says - with respect for all people and their opinions.
Is this not rainbow washing on the part of the car company?
I've already encountered that opinion, but the project was created "from below", i.e. from the employees, it was not a task from the management, but the company management liked it and therefore supported it. The car is not marketing, but it is meant to represent the materialization of our values, e.g. joining the signing of the petition of the initiative We are fair for marriage for all couples, etc.
Did the expectations you had for the project come true? How did the public react to it?
It was a huge surprise to everyone how positively the car was received by both the people and the media. The negative reactions were and still are marginal. It has aroused a lot of interest not only in the Czech Republic but also abroad. The demand for renting the car is high and to meet all the demands of the markets, we built the second Respectline model in an even shorter time, but even so, the "calendars" of both cars are full until the end of the year.
What happens to the car once you've shown it everywhere you plan to?
The car will be on display at the Škoda Museum in Mladá Boleslav, where everyone will be able to come and see it.
The Respectline is enhanced with a lot of custom features. If a customer wants such features for their car, can they get them?
The car was conceived from the beginning as a "show car", so it is not possible to use its original accessories in production cars.
Are you planning similar rainbow projects for next year?
I can only reveal in advance that the plans are big and there is definitely something to look forward to. Let yourself be surprised.
"Diversity and inclusion are part of our corporate strategy, but we don't just look at gender balance. Diversity means the ability to listen to elders as well as the willingness to let the courage of the young shine through. Everyone should be able to reach their potential with confidence and peace of mind, regardless of their background, religion, age, orientation and so on. In addition, it is proven that a diverse collective shows more creativity and overcomes challenges more easily, and this leads to better results. Most importantly, diversity and inclusion empowers our employees, which helps us live up to our company culture of 'Uniqueness We Love'."
- Maren Gräf, Member of the Škoda Auto Board of Management for People and Culture
