Škoda automobiles are sold in over 100 countries, and in 2018, total global sales reached 1.25 million units, an increase of 4.4% from the previous year.[8] The operating profit was €1.6 billion in 2017, an increase of 34.6% over the previous year.[9][10] As of 2017, Škoda's profit margin was the second-highest of all Volkswagen AG brands afterPorsche.[11]
As with many long-establishedcar manufacturers, the company that became Škoda Auto started by manufacturing bicycles.[14] Škoda (then Laurin & Klement) was founded in 1896 as avelocipede manufacturer.[15]
In 1894 (131 years ago) (1894), 26-year-oldVáclav Klement (1868–1938), who was a bookseller inMladá Boleslav, Kingdom of Bohemia (today's Czech Republic, then part ofAustria-Hungary), was unable to obtain spare parts to repair his German bicycle. Klement returned his bicycle to the manufacturers, Seidel and Naumann, with a letter, in Czech, asking them to carry out repairs, only to receive a reply, in German: "If you want us to answer you, we insist that you convey your message in a language we understand."[16] Not satisfied with the reply and realizing the business potential, Klement, despite having no technical experience, decided to start a bicycle repair shop, which he and Václav Laurin opened in 1896 in Mladá Boleslav. Before going into partnership with Klement, Laurin had been an established bicycle manufacturer in the nearby town ofTurnov.[17]
In 1898, after moving to their newly built factory, the pair bought aWerner "Motocyclette".[nb 1] Laurin & Klement's first motorcyclette, powered by an engine mounted on the handlebars driving the front wheels, proved dangerous and unreliable – an early accident on it cost Laurin a front tooth. To design a safer machine with its structure around the engine, the pair wrote to German ignition specialistRobert Bosch for advice on a different electromagnetic system.[citation needed] Their new Slavia motorcycle made its debut in 1899, and the company became the first motorcycle factory inCentral Europe.[15] In 1900, with a company workforce of 32, Slavia exports began and 150 machines were shipped toLondon for the Hewtson firm. Shortly afterwards, the press credited them as makers of the first motorcycle.[18][19]
By 1905, the firm was manufacturing automobiles, making it the second-oldest car manufacturer in theCzech lands afterTatra. The company, with an area of 7,800 square metres (0.78 ha), had a workforce of 320 and used 170 special machine tools, power-driven by 100 horsepower (75 kW) of steam power.[15] The first model, Voiturette A, was a success, and the company was established both within Austria-Hungary and internationally.[20]
After World War I, the Laurin & Klement company began producing trucks, but in 1924, after running into problems and being affected by a fire on their premises, the company sought a new partner.
Meanwhile,Akciová společnost, dříve Škodovy závody (Limited Company, formerly the Škoda Works), an arms manufacturer and multisector concern inPlzeň, which had become one of the largest industrial enterprises in Europe and the largest inCzechoslovakia, sought to enlarge its non-arms-manufacturing base, so it acquired Laurin & Klement in 1925. It also started manufacturing cars in cooperation withHispano-Suiza. Most of the later production took place under Škoda's name.
An assembly line was used for production from 1930 onwards. Also in 1930, a formal spin-off of the car became a new company,Akciová společnost pro automobilový průmysl or abbreviatedASAP, happened. ASAP remained a wholly owned subsidiary of the Škoda Works, and continued to sell cars under the Škoda marque. Apart from the factory in Mladá Boleslav, it also included the firm's representation, sales offices, and services, as well as a central workshop in Prague. At the time, the car factory in Mladá Boleslav covered an area of 215,000 m2 and employed 3,750 blue-collar and 500 white-collar workers.
Škoda Š 932 prototype, 1932
In 1932, ASAP-Škoda in Mladá Boleslav, Bohemia, produced a typeŠkoda 932 prototype of a streamlined 4-seater two-door car with a rear air-cooled flat-four engine designed by Karel Hrdlička and Vsevold Korolkov. This car's bodywork closely resembled the small car designs yet to come.[21]
After a decline caused by the economic depression, Škoda introduced a new line of cars in the 1930s, which significantly differed from its previous products. A new design of chassis withbackbone tube and all-around independent suspension was developed under the leadership of chief engineer Vladimír Matouš and modelled on the one first introduced byHans Ledwinka in Tatra. First used on model Škoda 420 Standard in 1933, it aimed at solving the insufficient torsional stiffness of theladder frame.[22]
The new design of chassis became the basis for modelsPopular (845–1,089 cc),Rapid (1,165–1,766 cc),Favorit (1,802–2,091 cc), andSuperb (2,492–3,991 cc).[22] While in 1933 Škoda had a 14% share of the Czechoslovak car market and occupied third place behindPraga and Tatra, the new line made it a market leader by 1936, with a 39% share in 1938.[22]
During theoccupation of Czechoslovakia in World War II, the Škoda Works were turned into part of theReichswerke Hermann Göring serving the Nazi German war effort by producing components for military terrain vehicles, military planes, other weapons components, and cartridge cases. Vehicle output decreased from 7,052 in 1939 to 683 in 1944, of which only 35 were passenger cars. Between January and May 1945, 316 trucks were produced.[23] The UK and US air forces bombed the Škoda works repeatedly between 1940 and 1945. The final massive air raid took place on 25 April 1945, and resulted in the near-complete destruction of the Škoda armament works and about 1,000 dead or wounded.[24]
When, by July 1945, the Mladá Boleslav factory had been reconstructed, production of Škoda's first post-World War II car, the 1101 series, began. It was essentially an updated version of the pre-World War II Škoda Popular. In the autumn of 1948, Škoda (along with all other large manufacturers) became part of the communistplanned economy, which meant it was separated from the parent company, Škoda Works. Despite unfavourable political conditions and losing contact with technical development in noncommunist countries, Škoda retained a good reputation until the 1960s, producing models such as the Škoda 440 Spartak, 445 Octavia,Felicia, and Škoda 1000 MB.[25]
Škoda Octavia Super (1960)
Starting in 1957, the Škoda Octavia, and later the Felicia, were imported to the United States amid a wave of new imports as some American consumers sought out cars smaller than typical Detroit offerings.[26] Škoda’s American dealerships, concentrated on the West Coast and in the Northeast, quickly encountered buyer resistance due to the Cold War political climate in ways that comparable Western European cars did not. The cars were also not well supported after sale, making even minor repairs difficult. U.S. sales peaked in 1959 but fell sharply after 1960, and many were sold at steep discounts. A few later cars, including 1000MB models, were sold in the U.S. as late as 1966-67, but in very small numbers.[26] Škoda has not sold vehicles in the U.S. since then, but did sell cars in Canada from 1984 to 1990.
Škoda MB 1000 (1966)
In the late 1980s, Škoda (then namedAutomobilové závody, národní podnik or abbreviatedAZNP) was still manufacturing cars that conceptually dated back to the 1960s, and in Western Europe at least, were aimed squarely at the budget end of the market.Rear-engined models such as theŠkoda 105/120 (Estelle) andRapid sold steadily and performed well against more modern makes in races such as theRAC Rally in the 1970s and 1980s. They won their class in the RAC rally for 17 years running. They were powered by a 130 PS (96 kW), 1,289 cc (78.7 cu in) engine. Despite its dated image and becoming the subject of negative jokes, what do you call a Škoda with a sunroof? Askip!–Škodas remained a common sight on the roads of the United Kingdom and Western Europe throughout the 1970s and 1980s.[27]
Sport versions of the Estelle and earlier models were produced, using the name "Rapid" (originally sold as the Garde in some markets). Soft-top versions were also available. The Rapid was once described as the "poor man's Porsche",[28] and had significant sales success in the UK during the 1980s.[27]
To drivers in the UK, the vehicles which chugged off Škoda's production line in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, embodied all that was wrong with theplanned economies of the Soviet satellite states. Of course, the Škoda became such a figure of fun in part due to its ubiquity on Britain's roads. The company must have been doing something right.
In 1987, theFavorit was introduced, and was one of a trio of compact front-wheel drive hatchbacks from the three main Eastern Bloc manufacturers around that time, the others beingVAZ'sLada Samara andZastava'sYugo Sana. The Favorit's appearance was the work of Italian design companyBertone. With some motor technology licensed from Western Europe, but still using the Škoda-designed 1289 cc engine, Škoda engineers designed a car comparable to Western production. The technological gap still existed, but began closing rapidly. The Favorit was very popular in Czechoslovakia and otherEastern Bloc countries. It also sold well in Western Europe, especially in the UK and Denmark, due to its low price, and was regarded as solid and reliable. However, it was perceived as having poor value compared with contemporary Western European designs. The Favorit's trim levels were improved, and it continued to be sold until the introduction of the Felicia in 1994.
TheŠkoda Felicia from 1994 was the first new model manufactured after a takeover by Volkswagen Group.
Until 1990, Škoda was still making its outdated range of rear-engined small family cars, although it had started production of theFavorit front-wheel drive hatchback in 1987 as an eventual replacement.
Thefall of communism with theVelvet Revolution brought great changes to Czechoslovakia, and most industries were subject toprivatization. In the case of Škoda Automobile, the state authorities brought in a strong foreign partner. The tender for privatization was announced in 1990; 24 different companies were registered for the tender, while only eight of them expressed a serious interest –BMW,GM,Renault,Volvo,Volkswagen,Ford,Fiat, andMercedes-Benz. In August 1990, VW and Renault were on the shortlist.[7] Renault first offered to terminate Favorit production and replace it with the outdatedRenault 18 derivative and newRenault Twingo, which would have eliminated the Škoda brand. This offer was declined, and Renault prepared a new one. They offered a 60:40joint venture (40% share of Renault), while Škoda Favorit production was to be retained and produced side by side with theRenault 19, and producing engine units, gearboxes, and other components for Renault. Total investment would have been US$2.6 billion (US$6 billion in 2019).[7]
Volkswagen offered to continue Favorit production and preserve the Škoda brand, including retention of research and development. Volkswagen offered a purchase of 30% Škoda share, gradually increasing to 70%. Volkswagen's total investment would have been US$6.6 billion (US$16 billion in 2019) by 2000. The government inclined on the Renault side, while the Škodatrade union preferred VW, because it offered significantly larger potential for development of the company.[7]
Volkswagen was chosen by theCzech government on 9 December 1990,[29] and as a result, on 28 March 1991 a joint-venture partnership agreement with Volkswagen took place, marked by the transfer of a 30% share to the Volkswagen Group on 16 April 1991, raised later on 19 December 1994 to 60.3% and the year after, on 11 December 1995, to 70% of its shares, to make VW the largest and controlling shareholder of Škoda.[30] On 30 May 2000, Volkswagen AG bought the remaining 30% of the company, thus making Škoda Auto a wholly ownedsubsidiary of the group. Backed by Volkswagen Group expertise and investments, the design–both style and engineering–has improved greatly. The 1994 model Felicia was effectively a reskin of the Favorit, but quality and equipment improvements helped, and in the Czech Republic, the car was perceived as a good value for money and became popular. Sales improved across Europe,[7] including the United Kingdom, where the Felicia was one of the highest-ranking cars in customer satisfaction surveys.
The Octavia is the bestselling Škoda model.
Volkswagen AG chairmanFerdinand Piëch personally choseDirk van Braeckel as head of design, and the subsequent Octavia and Fabia models made their way to the demanding European Union markets. They are built on commonVolkswagen Group floorpans. The Fabia, launched at the end of 1999, formed the basis for later versions of theVolkswagen Polo andSEAT Ibiza, while the Octavia, launched in 1996, has shared its floorpan with a host of cars, the most popular of which is theVolkswagen Golf Mk4.
The perception of Škoda in Western Europe has completely changed since the takeover by VW,[31] in stark comparison with the reputation of the cars throughout the 1980s described by some as "the laughing stock" of the automotive world.[32][33] As technical development progressed and attractive new models were marketed, Škoda's image was initially slow to improve. In the UK, a major change was achieved with the ironic "It is a Škoda, honest" campaign, which began in 2000 when the Fabia was launched. In a 2003 advertisement on British television, a new employee on the production line is fitting Škoda badges on the car bonnets. When some attractive-looking cars come along, he stands back, not fitting the badge, since they look so good they "cannot be Škodas".[34] This market campaign worked by confronting Škoda's image problem head-on – a tactic which marketing professionals regarded as high risk. By 2005, Škoda was selling over 30,000 cars a year in the UK, a market share of over 1%. For the first time in its UK history, a waiting list developed for deliveries from Škoda. UK owners have consistently ranked the brand at or near the top of customer-satisfaction surveys since the late 1990s.
In 1991, Škoda built 172,000 units, exporting 26% of its production to 30 countries, while in 2000, it built 435,000 units, exporting 82% of its production to 72 countries.[35]
One of the most important years for Škoda Auto was 2010, in terms of both products and management. On 1 September 2010, Prof. Dr. H.C. Winfried Vahland assumed responsibility for the management of the company, becoming the CEO of Škoda Auto. In the same year, Škoda set forth plans to double the company's annual sales to at least 1.5 million by 2018 (later known as the 'Growth Strategy',Czech:Růstová strategie).[36]
At the2010 Paris Motor Show in September 2010, the company unveiled the Octavia Green E Line. This e-car concept was the forerunner to the e-car test fleet that Škoda released in 2012. The final first-generationOctavia (Tour) was produced at the Mladá Boleslav plant in November 2010. The worldwide production of this model has exceeded 1.4 million units since its release in 1996. In 2010, for the first time in history, China overtook Germany in sales to become Škoda's largest individual market.[37] In 2011, Škoda Auto celebrated its 20-year partnership with the Volkswagen Group. More than 75,000 visitors attended an open-house event held in Mladá Boleslav in April. Earlier that year, the company provided details on its 2018 Growth Strategy: for at least one new or completely revised model to be released every six months.[38][39] With this in mind, the company redesigned its logo andCI, which was presented at the 2011Geneva Motor Show. Škoda's main attraction at the event was the VisionD design concept, a forerunner to the future third-generation Octavia. Škoda presented the MissionL design study at theIAA in Frankfurt am Main in September, which was to become the basis of the company's forthcoming compact model, the EuropeanRapid.
Škoda Auto is one of the largest car manufacturers in Central Europe. In 2018, 1,253,700 cars were sold worldwide, a record for the company.
In the same year, the company started production of the newRapid model inPune, India (October 2011), and launched theŠkoda Citigo at Volkswagen'sBratislava plant (November 2011). In 2012, Škoda introduced two new mass production models. TheEuropean version of the Rapid premiered at theParis Motor Show. This car was a successor to the first-generation Octavia in terms of its price bracket. The second model was the third-generation Octavia, which premiered in December 2012. In the same month, local production of the Yeti was launched at the Nizhny Novgorod GAZ factory.[40]
In 2012, Škoda introduced an emission-free (on the street) fleet of Octavia Green E Line e-cars on Czech roads to be used by external partners. Since internal tests on the fleet in late 2011, the e-fleet had driven more than 250,000 km. During the same year, Škoda celebrated several milestones, including 14 million Škoda cars being produced since 1905 (January),[41] three million Fabias (May),[42] 500,000 Superbs at the Kvasiny plant (June),[43] and 5 years of Škoda operations in China.[40]
Massive rejuvenation of the model range was a major tune for 2013 at Škoda: The Czech car maker launched the third-generation Octavia Combi and Octavia RS (both liftback and estate), as well as facelifted Superb and Superb Combi. They were accompanied by brand new members of the Rapid family as the Rapid Spaceback, the first Škoda hatchback car in the compact segment, and the Chinese version of the Rapid. The Yeti also faced significant changes. With the facelift, two design variants of Škoda's compact SUV are now available, the city-oriented Yeti and rugged Yeti Outdoor. Chinese customers were also given a Yeti with an extended wheelbase.
Part of the board of directors at theGeneva Motor Show with Škoda Vision X (2018): from left Christian Strube, Klaus-Dieter Schürmann, Alain Favey, Bernhard Maier, Michael Oeljeklaus, and Dieter Seemann
In 2015, Volkswagen admitted that it had installed pollution-cheating software in many of its cars to fool regulators that its cars met emissions standards, when in fact they polluted at much higher levels than government standards. About 1.2 million Škoda cars worldwide were fitted with this emissions-cheating device.[44] Škoda said that Volkswagen would recall and cover refitting costs for all of the cars affected by thescandal. In 2015, Škoda was voted the most reliable car brand in theUK.[45] A corporate strategy was launched in 2015 to produce a range of all-electric cars from 2019.[46]
Škoda Auto began manufacturing the large, seven-seatSUVŠkoda Kodiaq in 2016,[47] it was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October 2016,[48] and sales began at early 2017. In the second half of 2017, sales began of the new compact SUVŠkoda Karoq, which officially replaced theŠkoda Yeti. The automaker introduced in December 2018 a new small family car, theŠkoda Scala. In February 2019, the company introduced inGeneva the newsubcompact crossoverŠkoda Kamiq.
The fully electricŠkoda Enyaq iV has been produced since November 2020, and six fully electric models will be available by 2025.
In 2015, new Škoda chairman Bernhard Maier said that the Volkswagen Group "is working on a modular, new electric platform and we are in the team", and "there is no alternative to electrification."[46] New Škoda corporate "Strategy 2025", which replaces the previous "Strategy 2018", aims to start production of a fully electric vehicle in 2020,[46] and five electric models across different segments by 2025.[52]
AtAuto Shanghai in 2017, Škoda displayed its Vision E concept for an all-electric 300-bhpcoupé-SUV,[53] withlevel 3 autonomy capability and 500 kilometres (310 mi) range.[54] It is based on theVW MEB platform and Škoda Auto will also manufactureelectric-vehicle batteries for the Volkswagen Group in its facility in the Czech Republic.[55] The second development stage, the Škoda Vision iV, was revealed in March 2019.
Aplug-in hybrid car, theŠkoda Superb iV, was available for sale from early 2020,[56] and a small SUV model Škoda Kamiq with anatural gas-electric hybrid powertrain and a hybrid Fabia from later the same year.[46][57][58] By March 2018, the electrification plan was expanded to 10 electrified models for 2025 - six fully electric cars and four plug-in-hybrids. Out of these, five models are to be available by 2020.[59] In 2018, the brand launched its largest-ever investment plan of €2 billion over five years into its electrification.[60]
The brand's first fully electric car, acity carŠkoda Citigo-e iV, was sold from 2019 to 2020.[61][62] The all-electricŠkoda Enyaq iV is available for sale since September 2020. The Škoda Enyaq Coupé has been from May 2023.
Škoda has maintained sound financial stability over recent years. In 2013, the brand achieved sales revenues totalling €10.3 billion (2012: €10.4 billion). Due to the weak economic situation in many European countries and the expansion of the model range, operating profit reached a modest €522 million (2012: €712 million). Škoda achieved a successful start to 2014. As well as recording the highest number of deliveries to customers in a first quarter ever (247,200; up 12.1%), it recorded a significant increase in sales revenue (23.7%) to almost €3 billion. Operating profit increased 65.2% to €185 million over the previous year.
As of August 2016, Škoda is being sold in 102 countries.[74] In 2022, the top markets for Škoda by number of sales were Germany (134,260), Czech Republic (71,152), India (51,865), Great Britain (49,555) and Poland (44,985).[71] In theAsia-Pacific region, Škoda is also being sold in Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Brunei. Škoda is also planning to expand into Iran, where imports are to be started from 2018 and production of vehicles by 2020.[75] Expansion strategy also includes Singapore.[76]
Škoda cars are made in factories in the Czech Republic (635,213 cars), India (55,750 cars), China (41,936 cars), and Slovakia (16,116 cars).[71] A smaller number of Škoda models are additionally manufactured inSolomonovo, Ukraine through local partner. Until 2020, there was manufacturing inÖskemen, Kazazhstan. Cars were also built in two locations inRussia; however, this ended following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.[77] This table lists the factories and their production models in 2019.[78][79]
The Škoda brand has been engaged in motor sport since 1901, and has gained several titles with various vehicles around the world. The team had competed as a manufacturer in theIntercontinental Rally Challenge (before it merged with ERC in 2013) andWorld Rally Championship between 1999 and 2005. Now it competes in theEuropean Rally Championship andWRC-2.
Until the final season of IRC in 2012, Škoda Motorsport was the most successful manufacturer with a total of 27 points, winning the rallying series in 2010–2012. Since 2013, when the two competing series were merged, it has continued to compete in the European Rally Championship.
Škoda Motorsport drivers won with theŠkoda Fabia S2000 the European Rally Championships in 2012–2014.
After a long history of class victories in lower levels of motorsport, Škoda became a participant in theFIA World Rally Championship in the1999 season, withWorld Rally Car models of the Škoda Octavia. Škoda's best result with the Octavia WRC wasArmin Schwarz's third place at the 2001Safari Rally. From mid2003, the Octavia was replaced by the smaller Škoda Fabia. Škoda used the2004 season to develop the car further, but did not achieve much success in thefollowing season. However, at the season-endingRally Australia, 1995world championColin McRae was running second before retiring. Škoda then withdrew from the series, and the2006 season saw Škoda represented by the semi-privateerRed Bull Škoda Team.Jan Kopecký drove the Fabia WRC to fifth place at theRally Catalunya, and as late as the2007 Rallye Deutschland the Fabia still achieved a fifth-place result, again in the hands of Kopecký. Former worksFord andCitroen driverFrançois Duval also drove a Fabia WRC in 2006 for the privateer First Motorsport team, achieving a sixth-place finish in Catalunya.
In 2009, Škoda entered theIntercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) for the first time, using the Fabia S2000, winning three rallies and finishing second in both the drivers and manufacturers' championships. In 2010, Škoda won a total of seven IRC events, winning both the manufacturers' and driver championships forJuho Hänninen. These achievements were repeated in the following two seasons, withAndreas Mikkelsen as the driver's champion. In 2013, the Intercontinental Rally Challenge was merged with theEuropean Rally Championship (ERC), and the team gained the drivers' championship title once again forJan Kopecký. The car was also raced by privateers in several championships, including Red Bull, Barwa, Rene Georges, and Rufa in the 2010Super 2000 World Rally Championship.
In August 2011, a special Škoda Octavia vRS set a world record at theBonneville Speedway and became the fastest production car in the world with an engine up to two litres, when it hit 227 mph (365 km/h).[82] The current fastest production Škoda car is theŠkoda Superb III, with a top speed of 250 km/h (160 mph) and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 5.8 seconds.
In 1923, two different trademarks were registered at the Office for Innovation and Model Registration inPlzeň. The first depicted a winged arrow pointing to the right with five feathers in a circle and the second was a winged arrow with three feathers. The famous winged arrow with three feathers still forms the Škoda logo today. TheŠKODA text was added to the logo in 1936. The arrow represents speed, the wings progress and freedom, the eye precision, and the circle unity, completeness, world, and harmony.[83][84] The story goes that, on his travels through the US,Emil Škoda had once been so taken with a Native American's feathered headdress that he had returned to Plzeň with a relief image which inspired the logo.[85]
^Mladá Boleslav (6 October 2004)."ŠKODA AUTO a.s."(PDF). Volkswagen Group. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 27 September 2013. Retrieved6 November 2012.
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