The Czech Republic boasts a long tradition in the automotive industry dating back to 1897 when Tatra began producing its first model. Today, the region is attracting new foreign investment in the automotive sector. Last year, a joint venture between Toyota and PSA Peugeot Citroën began production in the Czech Republic, with annual capacity expected to reach 300,000 units this year. Hyundai Motors has recently decided to construct its European manufacturing plant here, also with a production capacity of 300,000 units. Moreover, Peugeot and KIA Motors will be producing cars this year in neighbouring Slovakia. Within a few years, annual car production in the Czech and Slovak Republics is expected to reach upwards of two million units.
The rapid growth of car production here is serving to attract automotive parts and components manufacturers to the area. Over the past few years, the number of Japanese "transplants" has increased from just a few to more than 75-the majority of these being involved in the automotive industry. Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is strongly supporting these enterprises and is working to identify new local sub-suppliers. We are deeply involved with KYB Manufacturing Czech s.r.o. MC has a 20% interest in this manufacturer of shock absorbers, which will begin production this year. MC has also taken a 10% stake in TRAD CZ, a Japanese company that has begun production of air-conditioning components.
Early on, these newly established ventures are very dependent on receiving direct supplies of original components and raw materials from reputable overseas producers. This requires smooth organisation of all logistic flows and a full range of just-in-time services. Mitsubishi Corporation LT Europe GmbH has opened a branch office in Prague in order to provide high quality services to meet this growing demand.
Czechs love sports-whether playing them or cheering on their national teams. Czechs are most proud of their ice hockey and soccer teams. Over the past ten years, the Czech ice hockey team has won a total of six gold medals at the World Championships and the Olympic Games, and Czech hero Jaromir Jagr is among the elite of the National Hockey League.
Ranked 2nd in the World by FIFA since late 2005, the Czech national soccer team boasts top players like Pavel Nedved, the 2003 European Footballer of the Year. People across the country will be cheering for the team this summer as it competes with the world's best teams at the World Cup in Germany.
This year is the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birthday. Mozart visited Prague on several occasions and developed a special relationship with the city. Frequently shunned by the imperial court in Vienna, Mozart was beloved in Prague. His popular opera Don Giovanni premiered at the Estates Theatre and was highly acclaimed. After Mozart's death, the famous St. Nicholas Church was the first to hold a requiem for him. A pipe organ that Mozart actually played still remains at the church. The Villa Bertramka, where Mozart frequently stayed, has been made into a museum about the life of the beloved composer. And to top it all off, "Amadeus", the famous movie portraying Mozart's life, was also filmed in Prague.
Czechs really know how to take time to enjoy life. During vacations or on the weekends, residents of Prague flock to their country homes. These second homes come in all shapes and sizes, from luxurious mansions to simple cabins. While in the countryside, Czechs like to take it easy, leisurely working in the garden or holding beer parties with friends and family.
In the Czech Republic, they have some interesting Christmas and Easter traditions. During Easter, boys traditionally whip girls lightly from behind or sometimes douse them with water, and (incredibly!) the girls reward them with painted eggs or candy. In Prague and other big cities, the tradition has been simplified, as boys go from house to house with a toy whip of ribbons and receive candy.
At Christmas, children in the Czech Republic receive presents from the baby Jesus-not Santa Claus. However St. Nicholas, the original model for Santa Claus, comes to town on December 5, accompanied by an angel and a devil. Good children receive candy from the angel, while bad children are said to be whipped and receive potatoes or lumps of coal.
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