IVECO BUS marked the 130th anniversary of the foundation of the Vysoké Mýto plant, Czech Republic, with the inauguration of a new Prototype & Testing Center. The factory always has played a key role in the evolution of public transport, both nationally and internationally. "This remarkable success is the result of constant evolution, the unwavering commitment of its employees, and the strong relationships established with its business partners", said David Kříž, Managing Director of Iveco Czech Republic. This year is rich in celebrations, as 2025 also marks the foundation of IVECO 50 years ago.
Located within the Vysoké Mýto plant, the new Prototype & Testing Center has been designed to welcome and support all energy types, including natural gas, battery electric, and hydrogen-powered vehicles. The two-story facility offers a doubled workspace of 4,100 m² and has the capacity to accommodate prototypes up to 18 meters in length. The project required 18 months of construction work to complete and includes 12 workstations equipped with overhead platforms to enable ergonomic access to vehicle rooftops; a thermal chamber capable of reaching temperatures up to 50°C, allowing for the validation of climate comfort for passengers and the driver; preparation areas are also available for various types of testing on vehicle instrumentation, such as internal and external noise measurements, vibration tests, road behaviour analyses, and energy
consumption evaluations. Additionally, specialized areas are dedicated to machining, manufacturing, and assembling metal sub-assemblies; producing and bonding wooden parts, such as floors, and 3D printing, which enables the creation of plastic parts up to approximately 1.5 meters in size. The centre employs over fifty people, including 20 engineers and collaborates closely with the manufacturer's other research facilities to conduct validation tests that are not performed in Vysoké Mýto. This synergy encompasses the E-BENCH in Vénissieux, which focuses on testing heating systems, electronic systems, and innovative technologies, as well as the Turin centre, which is dedicated to durability testing. Additionally, expert technicians specializing in virtual reality support the teams with specific validation needs.
The history of the factory in Vysoké Mýto began 130 years ago with Josef Sodomka moving to Vysoké Mýto, where he founded a wheelwright's workshop and gradually transitioned from carriage production to automobile manufacturing. In 1948 the factory was nationalized and became a state-owned enterprise, renamed Karosa. Under the wings of IVECO BUS it became Europe's largest bus manufacturer with a total surface area of 355,000 m2 and an annual production capacity of up to 5,000 vehicles and more than 4,400 employees. In 2024, 90% of buses produced were exported to 25 countries, primarily in Europe, as well as Asia and Africa. The Vysoké Mýto facility manufactures the CROSSWAY, launched in 2006, accompanied in 2024 by the CROSSWAY full electric range. Also the EVADYS coach is produced in this factory.