Blog MOTOR JIKOV is preparing new projects worth over a quarter of a billion Czech crowns.

The second half of 2019 marked a general decline in sales and deviation from the business plan for MOTOR JIKOV. The causes were described by Jiří Slíva, the director of strategic sales at MOTOR JIKOV Group a.s. __„It was driven gradually but surely by an emerging economic recession, which we had prepared for, and accordingly, we designed our business plans for 2020. During these years, a number of significant projects are also coming to an end. This mainly concerns our largest business partner, the Swedish automotive manufacturer SCANIA, where ongoing conceptual changes to parts and the end-of-life for some projects are happening. This is a normal process. Our task is to replace such projects with new ones,“__ explains Jiří Slíva.
Considering the significantly more aggressive competition and ongoing globalization of the market, filling vacant capacity and replacing ending projects is becoming increasingly complex. __„Nevertheless, we are managing this, although not always as smoothly as we would like, mainly ensuring these replacements are continuous and avoiding periods when some capacities are underutilized. There are many factors involved—technological, commercial—and they are often affected by changing customer project schedules,“__ clarified the strategic sales director.
Over the past approximately 1.5 years, MOTOR JIKOV GROUP has successfully secured nominations for new projects totaling nearly 10 million euros in maximum annual turnover. Additional projects of a similar annual volume are currently in negotiations.

The main customer and source remains the Swedish SCANIA for MOTOR JIKOV GROUP. __„Within the new TRATON GROUP, which includes German MAN, they are developing a shared powertrain platform called CBE1 = common base engine. In other words, it is a unified powertrain for all vehicles under the TRATON group. For us, as a supplier, this means higher volumes, but also greater competition in securing such projects. Our ability to deliver consistently and maintain high quality standards also plays a crucial role,“__ emphasized Jiří Slíva.
Most of the CBE1 platform projects need to be sampled this year. The start of serial production (SOP) is planned for September 2021, with a very steep ramp-up, reaching sixty percent of volume in 2022. The maximum volume is scheduled for 2026. The expected lifespan of this first shared platform is ten years.
Unfortunately, just when the promising process of acquiring new opportunities was underway, the coronavirus unexpectedly struck in March, causing most customers and potential partners to halt or partially reduce their production as well as project and development activities. __„While request-for-quote and tender processes are still ongoing, their volumes are relatively small, and communication is challenging. Travel bans often prevent effective face-to-face negotiations and deal closures. Let’s hope the situation improves soon,“__ hopes Jiří Slíva.