Škoda Auto
Encyclopedia
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
manufacturer based in the Czech Republic. Škoda became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automobile manufacturing group. , Volkswagen was ranked as the world’s third largest motor vehicle manufacturer and Europe's largest....
in 2000, positioned as the entry brand to the group. Its total global sales reached 684,226 cars in 2009 and 85,000 for the month of March 2011.
History
Škoda WorksŠkoda Works
Škoda Works was the largest industrial enterprise in Austro-Hungary and later in Czechoslovakia, one of its successor states. It was also one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Europe in the 20th century...
was established as an arms manufacturer in 1859.
The origins of what became Škoda Auto go back to the early 1890s where, like many long-established car manufacturers
Automotive industry
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
, a company started out manufacturing bicycles. It was 1894, and 26-year old Václav Klement
Václav Klement
Václav Klement - was a Czech automotive pioneer, co-founder of what is now Škoda Auto.-See also:* Laurin & Klement...
, who was a bookseller in Mladá Boleslav
Mladá Boleslav
Mladá Boleslav is a city in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, on the left bank of the Jizera river about 50 km northeast of Prague.Founded in the second half of the 10th century by King Boleslav II as a royal castle...
, in today's Czech Republic, which was then part of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
, 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, stating: "If you would like an answer to your inquiry, you should try writing in a language we can understand". A disgusted Klement, despite not having technical experience, decided to start a bicycle repair shop, which he and Václav Laurin
Václav Laurin
Vaclav Laurin was a Czech engineer, entrepreneur and industrialist.-Career:...
opened in 1895 in Mladá Boleslav
Mladá Boleslav
Mladá Boleslav is a city in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, on the left bank of the Jizera river about 50 km northeast of Prague.Founded in the second half of the 10th century by King Boleslav II as a royal castle...
. Before going into business partnership with Klement, Laurin was established as a bicycle manufacturer in the nearby town of Turnov
Turnov
Turnov is a town on the Jizera river in the northern Czech Republic. It has about 14,500 inhabitants and lies in the southern part of Liberec Region. It is a traditional center for gemstone polishing, glass craftmanship and arts....
. In 1898, after moving to their newly-built factory, the pair bought a Werner "motorcyclist",More information about the Werner motor bicycles: which was produced by French manufacturer Werner Brothers. Laurin & Klement's first motorcyclette, powered by an engine mounted on the handlebars driving the front wheels, proved dangerous and unreliable—an early incident on it cost Laurin a front tooth. To design a safer machine with its structure around the engine, the pair wrote to German ignition specialist Robert Bosch
Robert Bosch
Robert Bosch was a German industrialist, engineer and inventor, founder of Robert Bosch GmbH.-Biography:...
for advice on a different electromagnetic system. The pair's new Slavia motorcycle made its debut in 1899.
In 1900, when the company had a workforce of 32, Slavia exports began, with 150 machines shipped to London for the Hewtson firm. Shortly afterwards, the press credited them as makers of the first motorcycle. The first model, Voiturette A, was a success and the company was established both within Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
and internationally. By 1905 the firm was manufacturing automobiles.
After World War I the Laurin-Klement company began producing truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
s, but in 1924, after running into problems and being hit by a fire, the company sought a partner, and was acquired by Škoda Works
Škoda Works
Škoda Works was the largest industrial enterprise in Austro-Hungary and later in Czechoslovakia, one of its successor states. It was also one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Europe in the 20th century...
, an arms manufacturer which had become a multi-sector concern and the biggest industrial enterprise in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. Most later production was under the Škoda name. After a decline during the economic depression, Škoda was again successful with models such as the Popular in the late 1930s.
During the World War II Occupation of Czechoslovakia, the Škoda works was turned into part of Reichswerke Hermann Göring
Reichswerke Hermann Göring
Reichswerke Hermann Göring was an industrial conglomerate of Nazi Germany. It was established in July 1937 to extract and process domestic iron ores from Salzgitter that were deemed uneconomical by the privately held steel mills...
serving the German World War II effort.
Post World War II
When, by July 1945, the Mladá BoleslavMladá Boleslav
Mladá Boleslav is a city in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, on the left bank of the Jizera river about 50 km northeast of Prague.Founded in the second half of the 10th century by King Boleslav II as a royal castle...
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 1945, Škoda (along with all large manufacturers) became part of the planned economy
Planned economy
A planned economy is an economic system in which decisions regarding production and investment are embodied in a plan formulated by a central authority, usually by a government agency...
, which meant it was separated from the parent Škoda company. In spite of unfavourable political conditions and losing contact with technical development in non-communist countries, Škoda retained a good reputation until the 1960s, producing models such as the Škoda 440 Spartak, 445 Octavia, Felicia and Škoda 1000 MB.
In the late 1980s, Škoda (then named Automobilové závody, národní podnik, Mladá Boleslav or AZNP) was still manufacturing cars that conceptually dated back to the 1960s. Rear engined
Rear-engine design
In automobile design, a rear-engine design layout places the engine at the rear of the vehicle. The center of gravity of the engine itself is past the rear axle...
models such as the Škoda 105/120, Estelle and Rapid sold steadily and performed well against more modern makes in races such as the RAC Rally in the 1970s and 1980s. They won their class in the RAC rally for 17 years running. They were powered by a 130 bhp, 1289 cc engine. In spite of its dated image and being the subject of jokes, the Škoda remained a common sight on the roads of UK and Western Europe throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Sport versions of the Estelle and earlier models were produced, using "Rapid" as the version name. Soft-top versions were also available. The Rapid was once described as the 'poor man's Porsche', and had significant sales success in the UK during the 1980s.
- "Of course, that the Škoda became such a figure of fun was in part due to its ubiquity on Britain's roads. The company must have been doing something right". extract from BBC report on Škoda sales in 1980s.
In 1987 the Favorit
Škoda Favorit
The Škoda Favorit 135 and Škoda Favorit 136 were a range of small family cars produced by Czech auto manufacturer Škoda Auto from 1987 to 1995. It was Škoda Auto's first car to follow the European trend of locating the engine at the front, mounted transversely, and was also their first car to use...
model was introduced, and was one of a triumvirate of compact Western-influenced front wheel drive hatchbacks from the three main Eastern Bloc manufacturers around that time - the others being VAZ
AvtoVAZ
AvtoVAZ is the Russian automobile manufacturer formerly known as VAZ: Volzhsky Avtomobilny Zavod , but better known to the world under the trade name Lada. The company was established in the late 1960s in collaboration with Fiat...
's Lada Samara
Lada Samara
The Lada Samara or VAZ-2108 is an economy car produced by Soviet/Russian vehicle manufacturer AvtoVAZ's Lada brand, from 1984 until 2004. The brand name Samara originally was used only for exported models, in Russia the same model was called "Sputnik" , until 1991, when the sedan version of Samara...
and Zastava
Zastava
Zastava can refer to:*Zastava Arms*Zastava Automobiles*Zastava Trucks...
's Yugo Sana. The Favorit's appearance was designed by Italian design company Bertone. 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 was still there, but began closing rapidly. The Favorits were very popular in Czechoslovakia and other Eastern Bloc
Eastern bloc
The term Eastern Bloc or Communist Bloc refers to the former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, generally the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact...
countries. They also sold fairly well in Western Europe, especially in the UK and Denmark, being regarded as solid and reliable, as well as being good value. Their trim levels continued to improve and they were sold until the introduction of the Felicia in 1994.
Volkswagen Group subsidiary
The fall of communism with the Velvet RevolutionVelvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
brought great changes to Czechoslovakia, and most industries were subject to privatisation
Privatization
Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of a business, enterprise, agency or public service from the public sector to the private sector or to private non-profit organizations...
. In the case of Škoda Automobile the state authorities brought in a strong foreign partner. Volkswagen was chosen by the Czech government on December 9, 1990 and, as a result on March 28, 1991 a joint-venture partnership agreement with Volkswagen took place, marked by the transfer of a 30% share to the Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automobile manufacturing group. , Volkswagen was ranked as the world’s third largest motor vehicle manufacturer and Europe's largest....
on April 16, 1991. In the following years, Škoda became the fourth brand of the German group, as the Volkswagen Group raised its equity share first on December 19, 1994 to 60.3%, followed on December 11, 1995 to 70% and finally taking 100% ownership of the company on May 30, 2000.
Volkswagen was pitted against French car-maker Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
, which lost because its strategic plan did not include producing high-value models in the Czech factories: it was proposed to manufacture the Renault Twingo
Renault Twingo
The Renault Twingo is a city car built by French automaker Renault, first presented at the Paris Motor Show in September 1992 and sold in continental European markets beginning in 1993...
city car
City car
A city car is a small car intended for use primarily in an urban area.City cars are sold worldwide and most automotive industry manufacturers have one or two in their line-up. In North-America city cars are often referred to simply as "subcompacts" alongside the superminis. These kind of cars...
in the Škoda factories.
At the time the decision was made, privatisation to a major German company was somewhat controversial. The subsequent fortunes of other Eastern-Bloc automobile manufacturers such as Lada
Lada
Lada is a trademark of AvtoVAZ, a Russian car manufacturer in Tolyatti, Samara Oblast. All AvtoVAZ vehicles are currently sold under the Lada brand, though this was not always so; Lada was originally AvtoVAZ's export brand for models it sold under the Zhiguli name in the domestic Soviet market...
–AutoVAZ, and of Škoda works
Škoda Works
Škoda Works was the largest industrial enterprise in Austro-Hungary and later in Czechoslovakia, one of its successor states. It was also one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Europe in the 20th century...
itself, once Škoda Auto's parent company, could be argued to suggest that this was not necessarily a poor decision.
Backed by Volkswagen Group expertise and investments, the design—both style and engineering—has improved greatly. The 1994 model Felicia
Škoda Felicia
For the Skoda Felicia of 1959 to 1964 see Škoda Felicia The Škoda Felicia, is a small family car produced by the Czech automaker Škoda Auto between 1994 and 2001 . It was one of the first models to benefit from Škoda Auto's takeover by the German giant Volkswagen Group...
was effectively a reskin of the Favorit, but quality improvements helped, and in the Czech Republic the car was good value for money and became popular. Volkswagen AG chairman Ferdinand Piëch
Ferdinand Piëch
Ferdinand Karl Piëch is an Austrian business magnate, engineer and executive who is currently the chairman of the supervisory board of Volkswagen Group....
personally choose Dirk van Braeckel
Dirk van Braeckel
Dirk van Braeckel , is a Belgian car designer, currently head of design at Bentley Motors.Born in Deinze, after leaving school, van Braeckel studied electrical engineering, before joining Ford as an apprentice car designer in Cologne, West Germany...
as head of design, and the subsequent Octavia and Fabia models made their way to the demanding European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
markets. They are built on common Volkswagen Group floorpans. The latest Octavia is based on Golf Mk5
Volkswagen Golf Mk5
The fifth generation Volkswagen Golf Mk5 , built on the Volkswagen Group A5 platform was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2003 and went on sale in Europe one month later. To commemorate this, Wolfsburg was renamed "Golfsburg" for a week. It reached North American markets in June...
floorpan, and Fabia is based on the A0 floorpan, although the Fabia was released a year before Volkswagen released the new Polo
Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo is a supermini car manufactured by Volkswagen. It is sold in Europe and other markets worldwide in hatchback, saloon, coupé and estate variants....
based on the floorpan.
The perception of Škoda in Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
has changed completely since the takeover by VW, in stark comparison to the reputation of the cars throughout the 1980s—often described as 'the laughing stock' of the automotive world. As technical development progressed and attractive new models were brought to market, Škoda's image was initially slow to improve. In the UK, a major turnabout was achieved with the ironic "It is a Škoda, honest" campaign, which was started in the early 2000s. 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. This market campaign worked by confronting Škoda's image problem head-on—a tactic which marketing professionals regard as high risk. Before the advertising campaign, it was common to hear tour guides in Bratislava making jokes about the Škoda, saying "How do you double the value of a Škoda? Fill up the gas tank!" If the Fabia and Octavia had been anything less than excellent cars the campaign might have backfired badly. 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 by Škoda. Škoda owners in the UK have consistently ranked the brand at or near the top of the J.D. Power customer satisfaction survey during the 2000s.
Škoda has several manufacturing and assembly plants, including one in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Škoda also has an assembly plant in the city of Aurangabad, in the western Indian state of Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
which was established in 2001 as Škoda India
Škoda India
Škoda Auto India Private Limited, more commonly referred to as Škoda Auto India, established November 2001, is a fully owned subsidiary of the Czech automotive manufacturer Škoda Auto and a division of Volkswagen Group Sales India....
Private Ltd.
Škoda Roomster
The Škoda Roomster is a five-door five-seat multi-purpose vehicle-styled leisure activity vehicle, produced by the Czech automaker Škoda Auto. It was a revealed as a production model in March 2006 at the Geneva Auto Show, with sales starting in June 2006...
, which is a small MPV
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
with a unique design, which reflects future trends. At the end of December 2006 Škoda released the first official pictures of the new Fabia, a model that would replace the Fabia
Škoda Fabia
The Škoda Fabia is a supermini produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 1999. It was the successor to the Škoda Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001...
in 2007.
Later in 2008 Škoda released the first pictures of the face-lifted Octavia with new headlights, front grille and bumper, as well as a slightly restyled rear and interior. The revised car also features a new selection of engines including the 1.4 TFSI and new common rail
Common rail
Common rail direct fuel injection is a modern variant of direct fuel injection system for petrol and diesel engines.On diesel engines, it features a high-pressure fuel rail feeding individual solenoid valves, as opposed to low-pressure fuel pump feeding unit injectors...
diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
s.
A new concept car was presented at the Paris Auto Show in September 2006. The concept was called Joyster, a three-door compact car intended especially for young people.
Volkswagen Group's Australian arm, Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automobile manufacturing group. , Volkswagen was ranked as the world’s third largest motor vehicle manufacturer and Europe's largest....
Australia (VGA), announced that they would be returning Škoda, last sold in Australia in 1983, to the Australian car market in October, 2007. the Octavia and Superb are available in Australia, the Roomster was discontinued due to slow sales. VGA has confirmed the Yeti and Fabia will arrive in July, Skoda also plans to reintroduce the Roomster.
It is rumoured that a version of the low-cost subcompact
Subcompact car
Subcompact car is a North American term used to describe automobiles whose class size is smaller than that of a compact car, usually not exceeding in length, but larger than a microcar...
Brazilian Volkswagen Gol
Volkswagen Gol
The Volkswagen Gol is a subcompact car manufactured by Volkswagen do Brasil since 1980 as Volkswagen's entry-level car in the South American market—where it succeeded the South American VW Beetle ...
will be a new base model for Škoda in Europe.
Škoda started production in China in 2006. Its 2009 China sales—of three models Octavia, Superb, and Fabia—more than doubled from 2008, reaching 123,000 vehicles. Shanghai Volkswagen plans to build the Yeti SUV in 2011. In the second half of 2010, China became Škoda's largest market.
A new and redesigned logo was revealed for Skoda in March 2011.
History of sales
| model | 1991 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Škoda Favorit Škoda Favorit The Škoda Favorit 135 and Škoda Favorit 136 were a range of small family cars produced by Czech auto manufacturer Škoda Auto from 1987 to 1995. It was Škoda Auto's first car to follow the European trend of locating the engine at the front, mounted transversely, and was also their first car to use... / Škoda Felicia Škoda Felicia For the Skoda Felicia of 1959 to 1964 see Škoda Felicia The Škoda Felicia, is a small family car produced by the Czech automaker Škoda Auto between 1994 and 2001 . It was one of the first models to benefit from Škoda Auto's takeover by the German giant Volkswagen Group... |
172,000 | 210,000 | 288,458 | 261,127 | 241,256 | 148,028 | 44,963 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Škoda Fabia Škoda Fabia The Škoda Fabia is a supermini produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 1999. It was the successor to the Škoda Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001... |
— | — | — | — | — | 823 | 128,872 | 250,978 | 264,641 | 260,988 | 247,600 | 236,698 | 243,982 | 232,890 | 246,561 | 264,173 | 229,045 |
| Škoda Octavia Škoda Octavia The Škoda Octavia is a small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto since 1996, its name revived from a model originally produced between 1959 and 1971. The current Octavia is available in five-door liftback and station wagon.... |
— | — | 47,876 | 102,373 | 143,251 | 158,503 | 164,134 | 164,017 | 165,635 | 181,683 | 233,322 | 270,274 | 309,951 | 344,857 | 317,335 | 349,746 | |
| Škoda Superb Škoda Superb The Škoda Superb is a large family car primarily built by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto as its flagship car. The versions produced from 2001 to 2008 are based on the platform of the Volkswagen Passat, but are elongated by , and shares its major mechanicals and powertrain with the Passat,... |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 177 | 16,867 | 23,135 | 22,392 | 22,091 | 20,989 | 20,530 | 25,645 | 44,548 | 98,873 |
| Škoda Roomster Škoda Roomster The Škoda Roomster is a five-door five-seat multi-purpose vehicle-styled leisure activity vehicle, produced by the Czech automaker Škoda Auto. It was a revealed as a production model in March 2006 at the Geneva Auto Show, with sales starting in June 2006... |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14,422 | 66,661 | 57,467 | 47,152 | 32,332 |
| Škoda Yeti Škoda Yeti The Škoda Yeti is a five-door five-seater compact SUV model built by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto. It was introduced at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in March, as the division's first entry into the popular SUV market... |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 11,018 | 52,604 |
| year totals | 172,000 | 210,000!!261,000!!336,334!!363,500!!385,330!!435,403!!460,252!!445,525!!449,758!!451,675!!492,111!!549,667!!630,032!!674,530!!684,226!!762,600!! |
Motorsport
World Rally Championship
Following a long history of class victories in lower levels of motorsport, Škoda became a participant in the FIAFédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is a non-profit association established as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus on 20 June 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users...
World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
in the 1999 season, with World Rally Car
World Rally Car
World Rally Car is a term used to describe racing automobiles built to the specification set by the FIA, the international motorsports governing body, and used to compete in the outright class of the World Rally Championship...
models of the Škoda Octavia
Škoda Octavia
The Škoda Octavia is a small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto since 1996, its name revived from a model originally produced between 1959 and 1971. The current Octavia is available in five-door liftback and station wagon....
. Škoda's best result with the Octavia WRC was Armin Schwarz
Armin Schwarz
Armin Schwarz is a German rally driver. He competed in the World Rally Championship from 1988 to 2005, winning the 1991 Rally Catalunya and taking six other podium finishes...
's third place at the 2001 Safari Rally
Safari Rally
The Safari Rally is considered by many to be the world's toughest rally. It was first held from 27 May to 1 June 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II...
. From mid 2003, the Octavia was replaced by the smaller Škoda Fabia
Škoda Fabia
The Škoda Fabia is a supermini produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 1999. It was the successor to the Škoda Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001...
. Škoda used the 2004 season to develop the car further, but did not achieve much success the following season. However, at the season-ending Rally Australia
Rally Australia
Rally Australia is an automobile rally event which was held in and around Perth, Western Australia from 1988 until 2006, when that state's tourism commission severed its collaboration with the event. The rally was part of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship in 1988 and the World Rally Championship...
, 1995 world champion Colin McRae
Colin McRae
Colin Steele McRae, MBE was a Scottish rally driver born in Lanark.The son of five-time British Rally Champion Jimmy McRae and brother of rally driver Alister McRae, Colin McRae was the 1991 and 1992 British Rally Champion and, in 1995, became the first British person and the youngest to win the...
was running second before retiring. Škoda then withdrew from the series, and the 2006 season saw Škoda represented by the semi-privateer Red Bull
Red Bull
Red Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
Škoda Team. Jan Kopecký
Jan Kopecký
Jan Kopecký is a professional rally driver from Czech Republic who currently competes in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge with Škoda Motorsport....
drove the Fabia WRC to fifth place at the Rally Catalunya
Rally Catalunya
The Rally Catalunya is a rally competition on the World Rally Championship schedule. Now held on the wide, smooth and sweeping asphalt roads around the town of Salou, Catalonia, Spain, it was previously held around the region of Costa Brava...
, and as late as the 2007 Rallye Deutschland
2007 Rallye Deutschland
Results of Rallye Deutschland , 10th round of 2007 World Rally Championship, run on August 17 - 19:- Results :...
the Fabia still achieved a fifth place result, again in the hands of Kopecký. Former works Ford and Citroen driver François Duval
François Duval
François Duval is a Belgian rally driver.-1999–2004:With victories in four events Duval won the Belgian Citroën Saxo Challenge title in 1999...
also drove a Fabia WRC in 2006 for the privateer First Motorsport team, achieving a sixth place on Rally Catalunya.
Super 2000
In 2009, Škoda entered the Intercontinental Rally ChallengeIntercontinental Rally Challenge
The Intercontinental Rally Challenge is a rallying series organised by SRW Ltd and sanctioned by the FIA, aiming to "give new opportunities to young or amateur rally drivers competing in recognised regional and international rallies, while offering organisers an innovative TV format concept,...
(IRC) for the first time, using the Fabia S2000, winning three rallies and finishing second in both the drivers and manufacturers championship. In 2010, Škoda's won a total of seven IRC events winning both the manufacturers and driver championship for Juho Hänninen
Juho Hänninen
Juho Ville Matias Hänninen is a Finnish rally driver. He is the current Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion and 2011 Super 2000 World Rally Championship champion with co-driver Mikko Markkula driving a works entered Fabia S2000 for Red Bull Škoda...
. The car was also raced by privateers in several championships, including Red Bull, Barwa, Rene Georges and Rufa in the 2010 Super 2000 World Rally Championship
Super 2000 World Rally Championship
The FIA Super 2000 World Rally Championship or S-WRC, is a companion rally series to the World Rally Championship, and is driven on the same stages. S-WRC is limited to production-based cars homologated under the Super 2000 rules...
.
Current models
- Rapid 2011 - based on Mission L concept
- CitigoŠkoda CitigoThe Škoda Citigo is a small car produced in Bratislava, Slovakia. Citigo production started in October 2011, and the car will be launched in the Czech Republic first, then in the rest of the Europe, as well as Asian and Russian markets, in 2012. Currently there is only a 3-door-version. The 5-door...
2011 - city carCity carA city car is a small car intended for use primarily in an urban area.City cars are sold worldwide and most automotive industry manufacturers have one or two in their line-up. In North-America city cars are often referred to simply as "subcompacts" alongside the superminis. These kind of cars... - YetiŠkoda YetiThe Škoda Yeti is a five-door five-seater compact SUV model built by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto. It was introduced at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in March, as the division's first entry into the popular SUV market...
2009 - compact SUVCompact SUVCompact SUV is a class of small sport utility vehicles with a length roughly between . This class should not be confused with mini SUV, which refers to smaller vehicles.- Background :... - SuperbŠkoda SuperbThe Škoda Superb is a large family car primarily built by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto as its flagship car. The versions produced from 2001 to 2008 are based on the platform of the Volkswagen Passat, but are elongated by , and shares its major mechanicals and powertrain with the Passat,...
2008 - (2nd generation) - executive carExecutive carExecutive car is a British term that refers to a car's size and is used to describe an automobile larger than a large family car. In official use, the term is adopted by EuroNCAP, a European organisation founded to test car safety.- History :... - FabiaŠkoda FabiaThe Škoda Fabia is a supermini produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 1999. It was the successor to the Škoda Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001...
2007 - (2nd generation) - superminiSuperminiA superminicomputer, or supermini, is “a minicomputer with high performance compared to ordinary minicomputers.” The term was an invention used from the mid-1970s mainly to distinguish the emerging 32-bit minis from the classical 16-bit minicomputers... - Roomster/PraktikŠkoda RoomsterThe Škoda Roomster is a five-door five-seat multi-purpose vehicle-styled leisure activity vehicle, produced by the Czech automaker Škoda Auto. It was a revealed as a production model in March 2006 at the Geneva Auto Show, with sales starting in June 2006...
2006 - leisure activity vehicleLeisure activity vehicleA leisure activity vehicle is a small van, generally related to a supermini or subcompact car, with two or three seat rows, and a large, tall car boot and tailgate. An early example of the category was the Matra Rancho introduced in 1977... - Octavia/LauraŠkoda OctaviaThe Škoda Octavia is a small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto since 1996, its name revived from a model originally produced between 1959 and 1971. The current Octavia is available in five-door liftback and station wagon....
2004 - (2nd generation) - small family car & Octavia Facelift version
1900s
- Laurin & Klement A (1905–1907)
- Laurin & Klement B (1906–1908)
- Laurin & Klement C (1906–1908)
- Laurin & Klement D (1906–1907)
- Laurin & Klement E (1906–1909)
- Laurin & Klement B2 (1907–1908)
- Laurin & Klement C2 (1907–1908)
- Laurin & Klement F (1907–1909)
- Laurin & Klement FF (1907)
- Laurin & Klement FC (1907–1909)
- Laurin & Klement HO/ HL/HLb (1907–1913)
- Laurin & Klement BS (1908–1909)
- Laurin & Klement FCS (1908–1909)
- Laurin & Klement G (1908–1911)
- Laurin & Klement DO/DL (1909–1912)
- Laurin & Klement FDO/FDL (1909–1915)
- Laurin & Klement EN (1909–1910)
- Laurin & Klement FN/GDV/RC (1909–1913)
- Laurin & Klement FCR (1909)
- Laurin & Klement L/LO (1909–1911)
1910s
- Laurin & Klement ENS (1910–1911)
- Laurin & Klement K/Kb/LOKb (1911–1915)
- Laurin & Klement LK (1911–1912)
- Laurin & Klement S/Sa (1911–1916)
- Laurin & Klement DN (1912–1915)
- Laurin & Klement RK (1912–1916)
- Laurin & Klement Sb/Sc (1912–1915)
- Laurin & Klement M/Mb/MO (1913–1915)
- Laurin & Klement MK/400 (1913–1924)
- Laurin & Klement O/OK (1913–1916)
- Laurin & Klement Sd/Se/Sg/Sk (1913–1917)
- Laurin & Klement Ms (1914–1920)
- Laurin & Klement Sh/Sk (1914–1917)
- Laurin & Klement T/Ta (1914–1921)
- Laurin & Klement Si/Sl/Sm/So/200/205 (1916–1924)
- Laurin & Klement Md/Me/Mf/Mg/Mh/Mi/Ml/300/305 (1917–1923)
1920s
- Laurin & Klement MS/540/545 (1920–1923)
- Laurin & Klement – Škoda 545 (1924–1927)
- Škoda 422 (1929)
1930s
- Škoda 633 (1931)
- Škoda 420 Rapid (1934)
- Škoda 420 Popular (1934)
1940s
- Škoda 1101 Tudor (1946–1952)
- Škoda Superb 4000 (1939–1940)
- Škoda VOSŠkoda VOSThe Škoda VOS is a large sedan/saloon car produced by the by Czech automaker Škoda Auto at their plant in Mladá Boleslav between 1950 and 1952. For a few years it was the preferred car for senior political and military personnel in Czechoslovakia...
(1949 – 1952)
1950s
- Škoda 1200 (1952–1956)
- Škoda 440/445Škoda 440/445The Škoda 440 and the similar 445 and 450 are cars that were produced by Škoda Auto in Czechoslovakia between 1955 and 1959.The three models are all powered by inline four cylinder engines.* 440 Spartak - 1089 cc, @ 4,200 rpm...
(1955–1959) - Škoda 1201Škoda 1201The Škoda 1201 was a family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto at their plant in Mladá Boleslav. Saloon and estate versions were offered along with a panel van The car appeared in 1954 as a successor to the Škoda 1200. It inherited its predecessor's steel ponton format body...
(1956–1961) - Škoda OctaviaŠkoda Octavia (1959-1971)The Škoda Octavia was a small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto at their plant in Mladá Boleslav. It was introduced in January 1959 and was named Octavia as it was the eighth car produced by the nationalised Skoda company....
(1959–1964) - Škoda FeliciaŠkoda Felicia (1959–1964)The Škoda Felicia is an automobile which was produced by Czech automaker Škoda from 1959 to 1964.The Felicia was introduced in 1959 as a 2 door convertible, replacing the Skoda 450. Able to seat five persons, it was equipped with a folding hood and a plastic hardtop. Styling is similar to that of...
(1959–1964)
1960s
- Škoda Octavia CombiŠkoda Octavia (1959-1971)The Škoda Octavia was a small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto at their plant in Mladá Boleslav. It was introduced in January 1959 and was named Octavia as it was the eighth car produced by the nationalised Skoda company....
(1961–1971) - Škoda 1202 CombiŠkoda 1202The Škoda 1202 was a family car produced as a station wagon, light panel van and pick-up by Czech automaker Škoda Auto at their plant in Mladá Boleslav. A saloon version was never produced...
(1961–1973) - Škoda FeliciaŠkoda Felicia (1959–1964)The Škoda Felicia is an automobile which was produced by Czech automaker Škoda from 1959 to 1964.The Felicia was introduced in 1959 as a 2 door convertible, replacing the Skoda 450. Able to seat five persons, it was equipped with a folding hood and a plastic hardtop. Styling is similar to that of...
(1959–1964) - Škoda 1000 MBŠkoda 1000 MBThe Škoda 1000 MB/1100 MB were two variations of a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive car that was produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto in Mladá Boleslav, Czechoslovakia, between 1964 and 1969...
(1964–1969) - Škoda 1203Škoda 1203Škoda 1203, Škoda 1203 M, TAZ-Š 1203 and TAZ 1500 was a car which was produced from 1968 to 1999 in Vrchlabí and Trnava by AZV Škoda and TAZ. The vehicle is still being produced by a small manufacturer near Vrchlabí in the Czech Republic. Plans for production were first drawn up in 1956. Political...
(1967–1999) - Škoda 100 and 110 (1969–1977)
1970s
- Škoda 110 R (1970–1980)
- Škoda 105/120/125 (1976–1990)
1980s
- Škoda GardeŠkoda GardeThe Škoda Garde is a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive car that was produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto in Kvasiny, Czechoslovakia between 1981 and 1984....
(1981–1984) - Škoda 130/135/136 (1984–1990)
- Škoda RapidSkoda RapidThe Škoda Rapid was a coupe designed and built by Škoda in Czechoslovakia between 1984 and 1990. Based on the Škoda 130/135/136 sedan, it was a replacement for the Škoda Garde coupe built between 1981 and 1984 itself based upon the Škoda 105/120 sedan design...
(1984–1990) - Škoda FavoritŠkoda FavoritThe Škoda Favorit 135 and Škoda Favorit 136 were a range of small family cars produced by Czech auto manufacturer Škoda Auto from 1987 to 1995. It was Škoda Auto's first car to follow the European trend of locating the engine at the front, mounted transversely, and was also their first car to use...
(1987–1995)
1990s
- Škoda FeliciaŠkoda FeliciaFor the Skoda Felicia of 1959 to 1964 see Škoda Felicia The Škoda Felicia, is a small family car produced by the Czech automaker Škoda Auto between 1994 and 2001 . It was one of the first models to benefit from Škoda Auto's takeover by the German giant Volkswagen Group...
(1994–2001) - Škoda OctaviaŠkoda OctaviaThe Škoda Octavia is a small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto since 1996, its name revived from a model originally produced between 1959 and 1971. The current Octavia is available in five-door liftback and station wagon....
first generation (1996–2004, Tour 2004-2010) - Škoda FabiaŠkoda FabiaThe Škoda Fabia is a supermini produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 1999. It was the successor to the Škoda Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001...
first generation (1999–2007)
2000s
- Škoda SuperbŠkoda SuperbThe Škoda Superb is a large family car primarily built by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto as its flagship car. The versions produced from 2001 to 2008 are based on the platform of the Volkswagen Passat, but are elongated by , and shares its major mechanicals and powertrain with the Passat,...
first generation (2001–2008) - Škoda OctaviaŠkoda OctaviaThe Škoda Octavia is a small family car produced by Czech automaker Škoda Auto since 1996, its name revived from a model originally produced between 1959 and 1971. The current Octavia is available in five-door liftback and station wagon....
second generation (2004-) - Škoda RoomsterŠkoda RoomsterThe Škoda Roomster is a five-door five-seat multi-purpose vehicle-styled leisure activity vehicle, produced by the Czech automaker Škoda Auto. It was a revealed as a production model in March 2006 at the Geneva Auto Show, with sales starting in June 2006...
(2006-) - Škoda FabiaŠkoda FabiaThe Škoda Fabia is a supermini produced by Czech manufacturer Škoda Auto since 1999. It was the successor to the Škoda Felicia, which was discontinued in 2001...
second generation (2007-) - Škoda SuperbŠkoda SuperbThe Škoda Superb is a large family car primarily built by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto as its flagship car. The versions produced from 2001 to 2008 are based on the platform of the Volkswagen Passat, but are elongated by , and shares its major mechanicals and powertrain with the Passat,...
second generation (2008-) - Škoda YetiŠkoda YetiThe Škoda Yeti is a five-door five-seater compact SUV model built by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto. It was introduced at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in March, as the division's first entry into the popular SUV market...
(2009-)
Concept cars
- MissionL (2011)
- Vision D (2011)
- Fabia Super (2007)
- Joyster (2006)
- Yeti II (2006)
- Roomster (2003)
- Tudor (2002)
- Fabia Paris Edition (2002)
- Ahoj (2002)
- Felicia Golden Prague (1998)
- 783 Favorit Coupé (1987)
- Škoda 110 Super Sport Ferat (1971)
- Škoda 1100 GT (1968)
- Škoda F3 (1964)
- Škoda 1100 Type 968 (1958)
- Škoda 973 Babeta (1949)
See also
- Škoda WorksŠkoda WorksŠkoda Works was the largest industrial enterprise in Austro-Hungary and later in Czechoslovakia, one of its successor states. It was also one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Europe in the 20th century...
- Škoda IndiaŠkoda IndiaŠkoda Auto India Private Limited, more commonly referred to as Škoda Auto India, established November 2001, is a fully owned subsidiary of the Czech automotive manufacturer Škoda Auto and a division of Volkswagen Group Sales India....
- List of automobile manufacturers
- Tatra