Volkswagen Slovakia

Funded by the ruling Communist Party to expand car production across Czechoslovakia, it agreed a partnership in 1969 with Italian automaker Alfa Romeo, but the proposed new model was never developed beyond the clay mock-up.

On 1 July 1971, Bratislavské Automobilové Závody (BAZ) was founded, sub-contracted to produce Škoda Auto models, but with all pressings and parts supplied by the Czech-based partner.

The factory built the Mladá Boleslav-designed 731 (saloon) and 732 (station wagon) prototypes, as well as other BAZ marketed small (MNA) and medium-sized trucks (SNA).

Škoda production continued, and was expanded to include other models within the VW Group portfolio, initially the Volkswagen Passat.

Since December 2011 the factory has produced the Volkswagen Up, as well as its badge-engineered SEAT Mii and Škoda Citigo siblings for European markets.

They were then shipped directly by rail to the Porsche factory in Leipzig, Germany, where interior fitting out, finishing and inspection were completed.