Skoda cars have developed a great reputation for build quality in recent years but as many will remember, this was not always the case. The origins of this car company are steeped in political turmoil and span over 100 years.
The very beginning of their history starts in 1895, when an engineer (Vaclav Laurin) and a book seller (Vaclav Klement) started to manufacture bicycles. Their enthusiasm for the subject allowed them to create original designs and their knowhow allowed them to put them into production. At the very end of the 19th century the company formed by Laurin and Klement started to manufacture motorcycles.
Within 10 years the company had turned its hand to the manufacture of automobiles. After considerable success the company was able to grow to a point they could supply their vehicles internationally. Their private investment was soon exhausted which forced them to become a joint stock company. By 1915 the company was involved in the production of vehicles for the armed forces.
The Laurin and Klement trademark had come a long way but the merger with Pilsen Skoda saw the end of their brand. In the 1930’s the company gained notoriety for the Skoda Popular. During the Second World War the company was incorporated into the German Empire which caused huge disruption in production.
After the war the company became a national enterprise by the name of AZNP and secured a monopoly on passenger car production. After several decades the rapid growth had taken a toll and in comparison with production methods being used further west. It was not until the late 1980’s that the company’s production started to grow after the introduction of the Skoda Favorit.
The government of the Czech Republic and Skoda management searched for an international partner to bolster production. In 1990 the company became part of the Volkswagen group. This gave rise to the standards we have come to expect of new Skoda models today.
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