Intro: Now part of the Volkswagen Group the history of the Skoda company goes back to 1895 when Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement established a company to produce motorcycles. Laurin&Klement; ventured into automobiles 10 years later and was absorbed by the Skoda industrial conglomerate in 1925 which has previously produced the French Hispano-Suiza luxury cars under licence
Up to the 2nd World War Skoda automobiles were dull but reliable. After the war the company came under state control. Although highly cherished in Central Europe the Skoda cars made in the 1950s and 1960s were absolute bonkers. However Skoda was the only automotive company in the former socialist countries which introduced brand new models from time to time.
Probably it was the engineering quality and cheap labour which attracted the Volkswagen Group who acqured 30% of the company and gained full management control in 1991. They bought a chunk more in December 1995 to increase its shareholding to 70%. In May 2000, it purchased the last remaining stock held by the Czech government. Volkswagen has invested more than $1.5 billion in the company with that amount committed for further investment up to the year 2003.
A new and exciting line-up has now been created from the basic Fabia, to the luxury Superb. A replacement for the hugely successful Octavia has been introduced at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. The old Octavia will be kept in production until at least the end of 2005.
In March, 2006 a new MPV, called the Roomster will join the lineup. |
