History of the Skoda car brand
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History of the Skoda car brand

26.05.2022 /

The automaker Skoda is one of the most famous brands in the world that produces passenger cars and mid-range crossovers. The company's headquarters are located in Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic.

Until 1991, the company was an industrial conglomerate, which was formed in 1925, and until that time it was a small factory of Laurin & Klement. Today she is part of VAG (for more details about the group, see in a separate review).

History of Skoda

The founding of the world famous automaker has a curious little background. The XNUMXth century was ending. Czech bookseller Vláclav Klement buys an expensive foreign bicycle, but soon there were problems with the product, which the manufacturer refused to fix.

To "punish" the unscrupulous manufacturer, Wlaclaw, together with his namesake, Laurin (he was a well-known mechanic in that area, and a frequent client of Clement's bookstore) organized a small production of their own bicycles. Their products had slightly different designs and were also more reliable than those sold by their competitor. In addition, the partners provided a full-fledged warranty for their products with free repairs if necessary.

History of the Skoda car brand

The factory was named Laurin & Klement, and was founded in 1895. Slavia bicycles came out of the assembly shop. In just two years, production expanded so much that a small company was already able to acquire land and build its own factory.

These are the main milestones of the manufacturer, which subsequently entered the world car market.

  • 1899 - The company expands production, starting to develop its own motorcycles, but with plans for auto production.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1905 - the first Czech car appears, but it was still produced under the L&K brand. The first model was named Voiturette. On its basis, other types of cars were developed, including trucks and even buses. This car was equipped with two-cylinder V-shaped engines. Each engine was water cooled. The model was exhibited at a car competition in Austria, where the victory was won in the road car class.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1906 - Voiturette gets a 4-cylinder engine, and two years later the car could be equipped with an 8-cylinder ICE.
  • 1907 - In order to attract additional funding, it was decided to change the status of the company from a private firm to a joint stock company. Production expanded thanks to the popularity of the cars produced. They enjoyed particular success at car competitions. The cars showed good results, thanks to which the brand was able to participate in world-class competitions. One of the successful models that emerged during this period was F.History of the Skoda car brand The peculiarity of the car was that the engine had a volume of 2,4 liters, and its power reached 21 horsepower. The ignition system with candles, which operated from a high voltage pulse, was considered an exclusive at that time. On the basis of this model, several modifications were also created, for example, an omnibass, or a small bus.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1908 - Motorcycle production is curtailed. In the same year, the last two-cylinder car was released. All other models received a 4-cylinder engine.
  • 1911 - Start of production of the Model S, which received a 14 horsepower engine.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1912 - The company takes over the manufacturer from Reichenberg (now Liberec) - RAF. In addition to the production of light vehicles, the company was engaged in the manufacture of conventional engines, motors for aircraft, internal combustion engines with plungers and without valves, special equipment (rollers) and agricultural equipment (plows with motors).
  • 1914 - like most manufacturers of mechanical equipment, the Czech company also redesigned for the country's military needs. After Austria-Hungary fell apart, the company began to experience financial difficulties. The reason for this is that former regular customers ended up abroad, which made it difficult to sell products.
  • 1924 - The plant was badly damaged by a major fire in which almost all equipment was destroyed. Less than six months later, the company is recovering from the tragedy, but this did not save it from a gradual decline in production. The reason for this was the increased competition from domestic producers - Tatra and Praga. The brand needed to develop new car models. The company could not cope with this task on its own, so a key decision is made next year.
  • 1925 - AS K&L becomes part of the Czech concern Skoda Automobile Plant AS in Plze сейчас (now it is Skoda Holding). Starting this year, the automobile plant begins to produce cars under the Skoda brand. Now the headquarters are located in Prague, and the main plant is located in Pilsen.
  • 1930 - The Boleslav factory is transformed into ASAP (joint stock company of the automotive industry).
  • 1930 - the newest line of cars appears, which receive an innovative fork-spine frame. This development made up for the lack of torsional rigidity of all previous models. Another feature of these cars was independent suspension.
  • 1933 - Production of the 420 Standart begins.History of the Skoda car brand Thanks to the fact that the car is 350 kg. lighter than its predecessor, it has become less voracious and more convenient to operate, it has gained high popularity. Subsequently, the model was named Popular.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1934 - The new Superb is introduced.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1935 - Production of the Rapid range begins.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1936 - Another unique Favorit line was developed. Due to these four modifications, the company takes the leading position among the automakers of Czechoslovakia.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1939-1945 the company completely switches to fulfilling military orders for the Third Reich. By the end of the war, about 70 percent of the brand's production facilities had been destroyed in bombing raids.
  • 1945-1960 - Czechoslovakia becomes a socialist country, and Skoda acquired a leading position in the production of cars. In the post-war period, a number of successful models came out, such as the Felicia,History of the Skoda car brand Tudor (1200),History of the Skoda car brand OctaviaHistory of the Skoda car brand and Spartak.History of the Skoda car brand
  • The beginning of the 1960s was marked by a significant lag behind world developments, but thanks to the budget price, cars continue to be in demand not only in Europe. There are even good SUVs for New Zealand - Trekka,History of the Skoda car brand and for Pakistan - Skopak.
  • 1987 - The production of the updated Favorit model starts, which practically leads the brand to collapse. Political changes and large investments in the development of new items forced the brand's management to seek foreign partners in order to attract more investment.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1990 - VAG was chosen as a reliable foreign partner. By the end of 1995, the parent company acquires 70% of the brand's shares. The entire company is taken over by the concern in 2000, when the rest of the shares are bought out.
  • 1996 - The Octavia receives a number of updates, the most important of which is the platform developed by Volkswagen. Thanks to a number of changes to improve the technical characteristics of products, the machines of the Czech manufacturer are gaining a reputation for inexpensive, but with high build quality. This allows the brand to do some interesting experiments.
  • 1997-2001, one of the experimental models, Felicia Fun, was produced, which were made in a pickup body and had a bright color.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2016 - the world of motorists saw the first crossover from Skoda - Kodiaq.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2017 - The company unveils the next compact crossover, Karoq. The brand's government announces the launch of a corporate strategy, the goal of which was to launch the production of three dozen new models by 2022. These will have to include 10 hybrids and full-fledged electric cars.
  • 2017 - at the Shanghai Auto Show, the brand presents the first prototype of an electric car in the back of a coupe of the SUV class - Vision. The model is based on the VAG platform MEB.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2018 - the Scala family car model appears at auto exhibitions.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2019 - the company introduced the Kamiq subcompact crossover. In the same year, the production-ready Citigo-e iV city electric car was shown.History of the Skoda car brand Some factories of the automaker are partially converted for the manufacture of batteries according to the technology of the VAG concern.

Logo

Throughout history, the company has changed the logo several times under which it sold its products:

  • 1895-1905 - The first models of bicycles and motorcycles carried the Slavia emblem, which was made in the form of a bicycle wheel with lime leaves inside.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1905-25 - the brand logo is changed to L&K, which was placed in a round rim made of the same linden leaves.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1926-33 - The brand name is changed to Skoda, which is immediately reflected in the company's emblem. This time the brand name was placed in an oval with a border identical to the previous version.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1926-90 - in parallel, a mysterious silhouette appears on some models of the company, resembling a flying arrow with bird's wings. Until now, no one knows for certain what caused the development of just such a drawing, but it is now recognized all over the world. According to one version, while traveling across America, Emil Skoda was constantly accompanied by an Indian, whose profile for many years was in the paintings in the offices of the company's management. A flying arrow against the background of this silhouette is considered a symbol of the rapid development and implementation of effective technologies in the brand's products.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1999-2011 - the style of the logo basically remains the same, only the background color changes and the drawing turns out to be voluminous. Green shades hint at the environmental friendliness of products.History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2011 - The logo of the brand again receives minor changes. The background is now white, making the silhouette of the flying arrow more expressive, while the green tint continues to hint at a movement towards clean transportation.History of the Skoda car brand

Owners and management

The K&L brand was originally a privately owned company. The period when the company had two owners (Klement and Laurin) - 1895-1907. In 1907, the company received the status of a joint stock company.

As a joint-stock company, the brand existed until 1925. Then there was a merger with the Czech joint stock company of the automotive industry, which had the name Skoda. This concern becomes the full owner of a small enterprise.

In the early 90s of the XX century, the company began to smoothly move under the leadership of the Volkswagen Group. The partner gradually becomes the owner of the brand. Skoda VAG receives full rights to the technologies and production facilities of the automaker in 2000.

Models

Here is a list of the different models that have rolled off the automaker's assembly line.

1. Skoda concepts

  • 1949 - 973 Articles;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1958 - 1100 Type 968;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1964 - F3;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1967-72 - 720;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1968 - 1100 GT;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1971 - 110 SS Ferat;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1987 - 783 Favorit Cup;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1998 - Felicia Golden Prague;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2002 - Hi;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2002 - Fabia Paris Edition;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2002 - Tudor;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2003 - Roomster;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2006 - Yeti II;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2006 - Joyster;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2007 - Fabia Super;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2011 - Vision D;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2011 - Mission L;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2013 - Vision C;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2017 - Vision E;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2018 - Vision X.History of the Skoda car brand

2. Historical

Car production by a company can be divided into several periods:

  • 1905-1911. The first K&L models appear;History of the Skoda car brand
  •  1911-1923. K&L continues to produce various models based on key vehicles of its own design;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1923-1932 The brand comes under the control of Skoda JSC, the first models appear. The most spectacular were 422 and 860;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1932-1943. Modifications 650, 633, 637 appear. The Popular model enjoyed great success. The brand launches production of Rapid, Favorit, Superb;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1943-1952 Superb (OHV modification), Tudor 1101 and VOS roll off the assembly line;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1952-1964. Felicia, Octavia, 1200 and 400 series modifications (40,45,50) are launched;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1964-1977. The 1200 series is produced in different bodies. The Octavia gets a station wagon body (Combi). The 1000 MB model appears;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1980-1990 During these 10 years, the brand has released only two new models 110 R and 100 in different modifications;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 1990-2010 Most of the road cars receive updates of the "first, second and third generation" based on the developments of the VAG concern. Among them are Octavia, Felicia, Fabia, Superb.History of the Skoda car brand Yeti compact crossovers and Roomster minivans appear.

Modern models

The list of modern new models includes:

  • 2011 - Citigo;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2012 - Rapid;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2014 - Fabian XNUMX;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2015 – Superb III;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2016 - Kodiaq;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2017 - Karoq;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2018 - Scala;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2019 - Octavia IV;History of the Skoda car brand
  • 2019 - Kamiq.History of the Skoda car brand

In conclusion, we offer a small overview of prices for the beginning of 2020:

SKODA PRICES January 2020

Questions and answers:

Which country produces Skoda cars? The most powerful factories of the company are located in the Czech Republic. Its branches are located in Russia, Ukraine, India, Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland.

Who is the owner of Skoda? Founders Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement. In 1991 the company was privatized. After that, Skoda Auto gradually came under the control of the German concern VAG.

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