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Škoda History

A History Of Motion

Ever since the automotive industry’s pioneering days, the Škoda brand has been turning out cutting-edge technologies and inventions. The joy of mobility and all things technical initially found expression in bicycles, followed by motorcycles and, ultimately, cars.

127 Years of Škoda

We’ve been driving inventiveness since 1895. Come with us on an exciting trip down memory lane at Škoda, taking in the company’s foundation to the present day.

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The History of our Logo

In 1895, L&K started making its Slavia bicycles and, later on, motorbikes in Mladá Boleslav. Automobile production was launched in 1905. The Laurin & Klement logo graced cars from Mladá Boleslav until 1925, since when they have sported Škoda’s winged-arrow symbol.

Škoda Museum

The Škoda Museum brings the past to life in an authentic setting – the former production halls where cars were made up until 1928. Right next door, the company’s largest and most modern plant continues this history, turning out new Škoda's day after day.

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1895 - 2017

1895—1905: Slavia Bicycles:

As enthusiastic ‘velocipedists’ and patriots, at the end of 1895, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement decided to turn their passion into a career and to produce bicycles under the brand name ‘Slavia’. The new brand rapidly became synonymous with quality and innovation made in Czechia.

1899—1910: Laurin & Klement Motorcycles

From 1899, motorcycles became the second pillar of L&K. The flourishing bicycle production was extended with one, two and four-cylinder motorcycles of their own design including passenger motorcycles and goods tricycles. Both were highly sought after in their Bohemian homeland and abroad.

1905: Laurin & Klement Voiturette A

In 1905, L&K released their first automobile: the two-seater Voiturette Type A. Impressing with its price and robustness, it weighed 600kg with a top speed of 40 km/h. The three-speed gearbox and modern carburettor ensured a high level of efficiency and great climbing capability in the mountains.

1925: Laurin & Klement — Škoda 110

The last L&K model was also the first Škoda. In 1925, L&K merged with the engineering company Škoda from Pilsen in western Bohemia. The popular four-cylinder Type 110 had both companies’ logos on its radiator.

1929: Škoda 860

As few as 50 units of the ŠŠkoda 860 luxury car were made from 1929-1933. The number '8' identified the water-cooled in-line eight-cylinder engine and the '60' represented the performance of 60 PS. This majestic vehicle was 5,424 millimetres long.

1935: Škoda Rapid

As the big brother of the Škoda Popular, the Škoda Rapid was one of Europe's best medium-class vehicles. It went some way to proving itself on the record journey ‘Around the world in 97 days’ and at the Monte Carlo rally. At that time Škoda was the largest automotive manufacturer in Czechoslovakia.

1937 – Škoda Popular Monte Carlo

The Popular sported a new chasis and an independent suspension, which was an advanced solution for its time. The success at the Monte Carlo Rally inspired the company to manufacture a commercial version using the same design as the racing car.

1934: Škoda Superb

The six-cylinder flagship Superb added to the Škoda four-cylinder models Popular, Rapid and Favorit. From 1939, the Superb was available with a four litre V8 engine. As it does today, in the 1930s the name Škoda Superb stood for the premium comfort, a great deal of space and unbeatable reliability.

1950 – Škoda 966 Supersport

This racing car with a cgar-shaped body was once the fastes Czechoslovak car, reaching speeds of up to 197.7km/hr.

1959: Škoda Felicia

The convertible Škoda Felicia put a smile on many faces and boosted the brand's reputation with its elegant design and distinctive tail fins. One of the most iconic Škoda representatives of the 1960s and a real export hit, Felicia is considered a treasured classic of the Škoda brand.

1959: Škoda Octavia

Debuting in 1959, the Octavia derived from the Latin word octo (eight) and branded as the eighth model off the production line. The Octavia convinced with top quality, lots of space and increased comfort and, along with the saloon version sold 285,000 times, including a significant share abroad.

1964: Škoda 1000 MB

A new plant, a radically new vehicle structure, plus, the most advanced engine in its class — the Škoda 1000 MB was a revolution in 1964. The first Škoda with a rear engine and self-supporting body, the spacious four-door was, in its day, considered one of the best vehicles in the one-litre class.

1976 : Škoda 130 RS

The groundbreaking vehicle was one of the most successful rally circuit cars of all time, with numerous victories to its credit including a ‘doublet’ in Monte-Carlo in 1977. With a 1.3-litre, 4 cylinder and 135hp engine, the 130 RS could be accelerated t a maximum speed of 220 km/hr.

1987: Škoda Favorit

The brand made a real statement in 1987 with the Škoda Favorit — a modern compact car concept with a front engine, front-wheel drive, variable passenger compartment and large tailgate. Parts of the development took place in cooperation with renowned foreign companies such as Porsche and Bertone.

2010: Škoda Yeti

The Škoda Yeti was among the most popular Sport Utility Vehicles (compact SUV) and won the hearts of customers since its launch in 2009. From 2014, the Yeti was available in two variants: the elegantly styled city version and the Škoda Yeti Outdoor ready for off-road and adventure.

2012: Škoda Rapid

The Škoda Rapid has complemented the Škoda model range between the Škoda Fabia and the Škoda Octavia since 2012. As the first compact hatchback of the brand, the Rapid Spaceback has always inspired young people and families, in particular, with its young, attractive design and spacious interior.

2016: New Škoda Superb

Since 2001, the Škoda Superb has been the flagship of the brand. The model stands for quality from the Czech Republic on global markets and offers space, innovation, safety and comfort. In 2008, the second Superb generation was launched with the third Škoda Superb launching in early 2016.

2017: Kodiaq 4X4

With a length of 4.70m and up to seven seats the Škoda Kodiaq was Škoda's first large SUV. From 2017, the Kodiaq has presented itself with all the brand’s strengths: a design full of character, extraordinary interior space, practical intelligence and innovative technology.

Škoda – Driven by Desire

History is more than the mere passing of time. It’s a collection of stories that remain timeless. To celebrate exciting history of Škoda, we created a timeline not of events, but of emotions. And there are no better stewards of Škoda’s legacy than the people who drive our cars.

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