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Car maker Skoda says 500 jobs to go in 2004

PRAGUE, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Czech Volkswagen unit Skoda Auto said on Thursday it would cut about 500 jobs next year by not replacing retired and other leaving workers.

Skoda is the largest Czech company by turnover and the country's biggest exporter.

It had 23,470 workers last year, including 2,179 external ones working for Skoda but with contracts with other companies, according to the company's annual report.

Skoda spokesman Jaroslav Cerny said the company would not dismiss any employees. "It is normal fluctuation," he said.

He said Skoda was already reducing its workforce by about 500 this year.

Skoda's unit sales dipped to 226,266 from 228,386 in the first half of this year.

Chief Executive Vratislav Kulhanek said earlier this month sales may edge up next year.