Škoda Auto facts for kids
Logo since 2023
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Headquarters in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Laurin & Klement |
| Founded | 1925 |
| Founder | Václav Laurin and Václav Klement |
| Headquarters | , |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
| Products | Automobiles Electric vehicles |
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Production output
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 c. 802,000 units (2021) |
| Revenue |  €17.7 billion (2021)(CZK 422.6 billion) |
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Operating income
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€1.08 billion (2021) (CZK 26.21 billion) |
| CZK 22.41 billion (2021) |
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| Total assets | CZK 231.46 billion (2021) |
| Total equity | CZK 101.52 billion (2021) |
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Number of employees
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36,032 (2021) |
| Parent | Volkswagen Group |
| Divisions | Škoda Motorsport |
| Subsidiaries | Škoda Auto Česká republika Škoda Auto Deutschland GmbH Škoda Auto Slovensko s.r.o. Škoda Auto Volkswagen India |
Škoda Auto (often called Škoda) is a famous car maker from the Czech Republic. It started in 1925 and its main office is in Mladá Boleslav. Škoda took over from an older company called Laurin & Klement.
For a while, Škoda was owned by the government. But after 1991, it slowly became a private company again. By 2000, it was fully owned by the Volkswagen Group, a big car company from Germany.
Škoda cars are sold in over 100 countries around the world. In 2018, they sold 1.25 million cars! Škoda is known for making good cars that are also a great value.
Contents
The Story of Škoda Cars
The company that became Škoda Auto has a long and interesting history. It started even before cars were invented!
From Bicycles to Cars: Laurin & Klement
Like many old car companies, Škoda began by making bicycles. In 1894, a bookseller named Václav Klement couldn't get parts to fix his German bicycle. The company told him to write in German if he wanted a reply! Klement was not happy. He saw a chance to start his own business.
So, in 1896, Klement teamed up with Václav Laurin, who already made bicycles. They opened a bicycle repair shop in Mladá Boleslav.
Motorcycles and First Cars
In 1898, they bought a "Motocyclette" (an early motorcycle). Their first motorcycle was a bit dangerous. Laurin even lost a tooth in an accident! They then asked a German expert, Robert Bosch, for help to design a safer machine.
Their new "Slavia" motorcycle came out in 1899. Their company became the first motorcycle factory in Central Europe. By 1905, they were making cars. Their first car, the "Voiturette A," was very popular.
Becoming Škoda
After World War I, Laurin & Klement started making trucks. But in 1924, they faced problems, including a fire. They needed a new partner.
Meanwhile, a large company called Škoda Works was looking to make more than just weapons. So, in 1925, Škoda Works bought Laurin & Klement. This is how the car company got the name Škoda.
By 1930, Škoda started using an assembly line to build cars faster. The car-making part of the company became a separate business called ASAP, but it was still owned by Škoda Works. They kept selling cars under the Škoda name.
New Car Designs
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After a tough economic period, Škoda launched new car designs in the 1930s. These cars had a new type of strong frame and independent suspension, which made them better to drive.
These new designs were used for popular models like the Škoda Popular, Rapid, Favorit, and Superb. By 1936, Škoda became the top car seller in Czechoslovakia.
Škoda During World War II
During World War II, the Škoda factories were used to help the German war effort. They made parts for military vehicles and weapons. Car production dropped a lot. The factories were bombed many times by the UK and US air forces. In April 1945, a big air raid almost completely destroyed the Škoda factories.
After World War II
After the war, the Mladá Boleslav factory was rebuilt. In 1945, Škoda started making its first post-war car, the 1101 series. This was an updated version of an older model.
In 1948, the government took over Škoda, like all other big companies. Even with tough political times, Škoda kept a good name until the 1960s. They made cars like the Škoda 440 Spartak and the Škoda 1000 MB.
In the late 1950s, Škoda tried to sell its Felicia convertible in the United States. But it was expensive compared to bigger American cars. The Felicia also had some problems, which hurt its reputation. Because of this, Škoda cars have not been sold in the U.S. for a long time.
By the late 1980s, Škoda was still making cars with older designs, like the rear-engined Škoda 105/120. These cars were known for being affordable. Even though some people made jokes about them, Škodas were common in the UK and Western Europe. They were also surprisingly good in races like the RAC Rally, winning their class for 17 years in a row!
Sporty versions, called "Rapid," were also made. The Rapid was sometimes called the "poor man's Porsche" and sold well in the UK.
In 1987, Škoda launched the Škoda Favorit. This car had a modern front-wheel drive design. Its look was designed by an Italian company called Bertone. Even though it still used a Škoda engine, engineers made it similar to Western cars. The Favorit was very popular in Eastern Europe and sold well in Western Europe too, because it was affordable and reliable.
Joining the Volkswagen Group
When communism ended in Czechoslovakia, many companies became private again. Škoda Auto looked for a strong international partner. Many big car companies were interested, including BMW, Renault, and Volkswagen.
Volkswagen offered to keep making the Favorit and keep the Škoda brand. They also promised a large investment. The Czech government chose Volkswagen in 1990. In 1991, Volkswagen bought 30% of Škoda. Over the next few years, they bought more shares. By 2000, Škoda Auto became fully owned by the Volkswagen Group.
With Volkswagen's help, Škoda cars got much better in design and engineering. The 1994 Felicia model was an improved version of the Favorit. It was seen as good value and became popular.
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Volkswagen's chairman chose Dirk van Braeckel to lead Škoda's design. New models like the Octavia and Fabia were created. These cars used parts and designs shared with other Volkswagen Group cars, like the Volkswagen Polo and Volkswagen Golf Mk4.
Škoda's image in Western Europe changed a lot. In the 1980s, people sometimes made fun of Škoda cars. But after joining VW, Škoda launched clever ads, like one that joked about how good their new cars looked. This helped change people's minds. By 2005, Škoda was selling many cars in the UK and was highly rated by customers.
In 1991, Škoda made 172,000 cars. By 2000, they made 435,000 cars and sold them in 72 countries!
Growing Stronger
In 2010, Škoda set a goal to double its car sales by 2018. They called this their 'Growth Strategy'. They also started working on electric car ideas.
In 2011, Škoda celebrated 20 years with the Volkswagen Group. They also changed their logo and brand look. They showed off new design concepts, like the VisionD, which hinted at the future Octavia.
Škoda kept launching new models. In 2012, they introduced the European Rapid and the third-generation Octavia. They also reached big milestones, like making 14 million Škoda cars since 1905.
In 2015, Volkswagen admitted to having a software issue in some of its cars related to emissions. About 1.2 million Škoda cars were affected. Škoda said Volkswagen would fix these cars for free.
In 2015, Škoda was voted the most reliable car brand in the UK. They also announced plans to make a range of all-electric cars starting in 2019.
Škoda started making larger SUVs like the Škoda Kodiaq in 2016 and the Škoda Karoq in 2017. They also introduced new family cars like the Škoda Scala and the Škoda Kamiq.
Electric Car Plans
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Škoda is very focused on electric cars. Their "Strategy 2025" aims to start making fully electric cars by 2020 and have five electric models by 2025.
They showed off their Vision E concept car in 2017. It was an all-electric SUV with a long range. Škoda will also make electric car batteries for the Volkswagen Group.
Their first plug-in hybrid car, the Škoda Superb iV, went on sale in early 2020. Their first fully electric car, the Škoda Citigo-e iV, was sold from 2019 to 2020. The all-electric Škoda Enyaq iV has been available since September 2020.
The 2024 Škoda Kodiaq is their first plug-in hybrid SUV. It can travel over 100 km on electric power alone.
Sales and Where Škoda Sells Cars
Škoda has been financially strong for many years. In 2013, they earned €10.3 billion. In 2014, their sales grew even more.
Sales Figures
| Model |
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| Škoda Felicia |
| Škoda Octavia |
| Škoda Fabia |
| Škoda Superb |
| Škoda Roomster |
| Škoda Yeti |
| Škoda Rapid |
| Škoda Citigo |
| Škoda Kodiaq |
| Škoda Karoq |
| Škoda Kamiq |
| Škoda Scala |
| Škoda Enyaq iV |
| Škoda Kushaq |
| Škoda Slavia |
| Total |
| 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172,000 | 210,000 | 261,000 | 288,458 | 261,127 | 241,256 | 148,500 | 44,963 | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | – | – | - | - | - |
| − | − | − | 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 | 387,200 | 409,360 | 359,600 | 389,300 | 432,300 | 436,300 | 418,800 | 388,200 | 363,722 | 257,364 | 200,771 | 141,112 |
| − | − | − | − | − | 823 | 128,872 | 250,978 | 264,641 | 260,988 | 247,600 | 236,698 | 243,982 | 232,890 | 246,561 | 264,173 | 229,045 | 266,800 | 255,025 | 202,000 | 160,500 | 192,400 | 202,800 | 206,500 | 190,900 | 172,793 | 105,459 | 99,104 | 92,663 |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | 177 | 16,867 | 23,135 | 22,392 | 22,091 | 20,989 | 20,530 | 25,645 | 44,548 | 98,873 | 116,700 | 106,847 | 94,400 | 91,100 | 80,200 | 139,100 | 150,900 | 138,100 | 104,755 | 86,151 | 66,146 | 60,840 |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | 14,422 | 66,661 | 57,467 | 47,152 | 32,332 | 36,000 | 39,249 | 33,300 | 29,600 | 16,600 | − | − | – | – | - | - | - |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | 11,018 | 52,604 | 70,300 | 90,952 | 82,400 | 102,900 | 99,500 | 95,600 | 69,500 | 13,100 | 10 | 2 | - | - |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | 1,700 | 9,292 | 103,800 | 221,400 | 194,300 | 212,800 | 211,500 | 191,500 | 142,118 | 79,702 | 63,657 | 17,296 |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | 509 | 36,687 | 45,200 | 42,500 | 40,200 | 40,700 | 37,100 | 39,200 | 31,199 | 14,971 | 4,373 | 3 |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | 100,000 | 149,200 | 171,794 | 131,590 | 98,566 | 94,455 |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | 6,300 | 115,700 | 152,708 | 137,223 | 119,156 | 87,716 |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | – | 27,900 | 64,597 | 128,539 | 120,742 | 96,269 |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | 39,071 | 63,181 | 48,154 | 39,538 |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | 634 | 44,718 | 53,678 |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | 12,815 | 26,761 |
| − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | - | 20,931 |
| 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 | 879,200 | 949,412 | 920,800 | 1,037,200 | 1,055,500 | 1,127,700 | 1,200,500 | 1,253,700 | 1,242,816 | 1,004,816 | 878,202 | 731,262 |
Where Škoda Cars are Sold
As of 2016, Škoda cars were sold in 102 countries. In 2022, the biggest markets for Škoda were Germany, the Czech Republic, India, Great Britain, and Poland. Škoda also sells cars in places like Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Brunei. They are also looking to expand into new markets.
Where Škoda Cars are Made
Škoda cars are built in several factories around the world. The main factories are in the Czech Republic, India, China, Slovakia, and Russia. Some models are also made in Ukraine.
| Manufacturing plant | Production models | Location | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic) | Fabia, Octavia, Kamiq, Karoq, Scala, Enyaq iV, EA211 engines | 50°25′16″N 14°55′50″E / 50.421111°N 14.930556°E | ŠKODA AUTO a.s. |
| Kvasiny (Czech Republic) | Kodiaq, Karoq, SEAT Ateca | 50°12′17″N 16°15′28″E / 50.204722°N 16.257778°E | |
| Vrchlabí (Czech Republic) | Transmissions | 50°36′39″N 15°37′28″E / 50.610972°N 15.624444°E | |
| Bratislava (Slovakia) | Karoq, Superb | 48°14′03″N 16°59′16″E / 48.234135°N 16.98791°E | VOLKSWAGEN SLOVAKIA, a.s. (VW AG subsidiary) |
| Pune (India) | Kushaq, Slavia, Kodiaq | 18°44′32″N 73°49′07″E / 18.74228667°N 73.81853167°E | Škoda Auto India Pvt Ltd. (Škoda Auto a.s. subsidiary) |
| Aurangabad (India) | Octavia, Superb | 19°52′23″N 75°29′18″E / 19.873056°N 75.488333°E | |
| Kaluga (Russia) | Rapid (production suspended) | 54°34′28″N 36°20′40″E / 54.574444°N 36.344444°E | OOO Volkswagen Group Rus (VW AG subsidiary) |
| Nizhny Novgorod (Russia) | Karoq, Kodiaq, Octavia (production suspended) | 56°14′32″N 43°53′16″E / 56.242235°N 43.887655°E | OOO Avtomobilnyj zavod «GAZ» (GAZ Group subsidiary) |
| Anting (China) | Fabia, Kamiq, Kamiq GT | 31°17′45″N 121°10′40″E / 31.295833°N 121.177778°E | SAIC Volkswagen Automotive Company, Ltd. (VW AG joint venture) |
| Ningbo (China) | Octavia, Karoq | 30°20′29″N 121°19′26″E / 30.3412579°N 121.3237526°E | |
| Nanjing (China) | Superb | 31°56′48″N 118°47′47″E / 31.9465982°N 118.7962963°E | |
| Changsha (China) | Kodiaq | 28°10′15″N 113°10′35″E / 28.170958°N 113.176422°E |
Škoda in Motorsport
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Škoda has been involved in car racing since 1901! They have won many titles around the world. The Škoda Motorsport team has competed in big races like the World Rally Championship and the European Rally Championship.
Rally Success
Škoda Motorsport was very successful in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), winning the series from 2010 to 2012. After the IRC merged with the European Rally Championship, Škoda continued to win. Their drivers won the European Rally Championships from 2012 to 2014 with the Škoda Fabia S2000.
In the WRC-2 championship, Škoda Motorsport won four years in a row, from 2015 to 2018, with their Škoda Fabia R5 car.
Setting Speed Records
In 2011, a special Škoda Octavia vRS set a world record at the Bonneville Speedway in the USA. It became the fastest production car with an engine up to two litres, reaching an amazing 227 miles per hour (365 km/h)!
Today, the fastest production Škoda car is the Škoda Superb III. It can go up to 250 km/h (155 mph) and reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.8 seconds.
Current Škoda Models
- Škoda Enyaq – an all-electric SUV (since 2020)
- Škoda Kodiaq II – a large SUV (since 2023)
- Škoda Karoq – a compact SUV (since 2017)
- Škoda Kamiq – a crossover SUV (since 2019)
- Škoda Kushaq – a crossover SUV (since 2021)
- Škoda Superb IV – a comfortable family car (since 2023)
- Škoda Octavia IV – a popular small family car (since 2019)
- Škoda Slavia – a subcompact car (since 2022)
- Škoda Scala – a small family car (since 2019)
- Škoda Fabia IV – a small car, also called a supermini (since 2021)
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Škoda Enyaq (since 2020)
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Škoda Kodiaq (since 2016)
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Škoda Karoq (since 2017)
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Škoda Kamiq (since 2019)
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Škoda Kushaq (since 2021)
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Škoda Superb IV (since 2023)
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Škoda Octavia IV (since 2019)
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Škoda Slavia (since 2022)
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Škoda Scala (since 2019)
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Škoda Fabia IV (since 2021)
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The Škoda Logo
In 1923, Škoda registered two different logos. The one that became famous was a winged arrow with three feathers inside a circle. This "winged arrow" is still the Škoda logo today! The word ŠKODA was added to the logo in 1936.
The arrow in the logo stands for speed. The wings mean progress and freedom. The "eye" in the middle represents precision. And the circle means unity, completeness, and harmony.
There's a story that the founder, Emil Škoda, was inspired by a Native American's feathered headdress he saw during his travels in the US.
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1925–1934
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1926–1993 (Blue also offered)
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1986–1990
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1991–2010
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2011–2023
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2023-present
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See also
In Spanish: Škoda para niños
- List of automobile manufacturers of the Czech Republic
- Škoda Works
- Avia
- Tatra
