Skoda Auto
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Škoda Auto ([pronunciation] ([Media helphelp]·[info])) is a Czech automobile manufacturer and one of the four oldest car producers in the world. In 1991 it became a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group (VAG).
History
Established in 1895 as Laurin & Klement, the company started as a bicycle manufacturer. In 1899 it added motorcycles and in 1905 cars. The first model, Voiturette A, was a success and the company was established both within Austria-Hungary and internationally. During the First World War Skoda was engaged in war production.After WWI it began producing trucks, but in 1924, after running into problems and being hit by a fire, the company sought a partner. As a result it merged with Škoda Works, the biggest industrial enterprise in Austria-Hungary and then Czechoslovakia. Most later production was under the Škoda name. After a decline during the economic depression, Škoda was again successful with models such as the Popular in the late 1930s.
During the World War II Occupation of Czechoslovakia the Škoda works was turned into part of Hermann Göring Werke serving the German World War II effort.
Post WWII
After WWII Škoda became part of the planned economy and was separated from the parent Škoda company. In spite of unfavourable political conditions and losing contact with technical development in noncommunist countries, Škoda retained a good reputation until the 1960s, producing models such as the Škoda 440 Spartak, 445 Octavia, Felicia and Škoda 1000 MB. Škoda has always been known internationally for building very tough and reliable cars. Carpages article :[most recent reference to tough, reliable Škoda]In the late 1980s Škoda (then named Automobilové závody, národní podnik, Mladá Boleslav) was still manufacturing cars conceptually from the 1960s. Rear engined models such as the Skoda 105/120, Estelle and Rapid sold steadily and performed well against more modern makes in races such as the RAC Rally in the 70s and 80s. They won their class in the RAC rally for 17 years running. They were powered by a 130bhp, 1289cc engine. In spite of its dated image and being the subject of jokes, the Škoda remained a common sight on the roads of UK and Western Europe throughout the 1970s and 80s.
Sport versions were available for the Estelle and earlier models using "Rapid" as the version name. Soft top cabriolet versions were also available. The Rapid was once described as the 'poor man's Porsche' and had significant sales success in the UK during the 1980s.BBC report :[Škoda Rapid - the "poor man's Porsche"]
- "Of course, that the Skoda became such a figure of fun was in part due to its ubiquity on Britain's roads. The company must have been doing something right." extract from BBC report on Skoda sales in 1980s
The turning point came in 1987 with the Favorit model. The Favorit's appearance was designed by Italian design company Bertone. With some motor technology licensed from western European companies, but still using the Skoda designed 1289cc engine, Škoda engineers succeeded in designing a car comparable to western production. The technological gap was still there, but began closing rapidly. While still the target of jokes in the West, the Favorits were very popular in Czechoslovakia and other Eastern Bloc countries. They also sold fairly well in Western Europe, especially in the UK, being regarded as solid and reliable, as well as a good value. Their trim levels continued to improve and they were sold right up to the introduction of the Felicia in 1996.
Subsidiary of VWAG
The Velvet Revolution brought great changes to both the politics and economy of Czechoslovakia, and most industries were subject to privatization. In the case of Škoda automobile the government decided to bring in a strong foreign partner. VWAG was chosen in 1990 and on 1991-04-16 Škoda become the fourth brand of VWAG. The example of other Eastern-Bloc automobile manufacturers such as Lada-AutoVAZ and Zastava, and of Škoda works, once Škoda auto parent company, prove this was the right decision. Privatization to a major German company was somewhat controversial at the time the decision was made.Backed by VW know-how and investments the design — both style and engineering — has improved greatly. The 1996 model Felicia was still based on the floorplan of the Favorit, but quality improvements helped and in the Czech Republic the car was as popular as it was value for money. The subsequent models Octavia and Fabia finally made their way to the demanding EU markets. They are built on common VWAG floorpans, e.g. Octavia on the Golf floorplan and therefore directly related to the VW Golf, Audi A3 and SEAT León.
Perception of Škoda in Western Europe has changed completely. While technical development progressed and attractive new models were brought to market, Škoda's image was initially slow to improve. In the UK, a major turnabout was achieved with the "It is a Škoda, honest" campaign which was started in the early 2000s. In a 2003 advertisement on British television, a new employee on the production line is fitting Škoda badges on the car bonnets. When some attractive looking cars come along he stands back, not fitting the badge, since they look so good they must not be Škodas. Media article :[see pages 23 and 24] This market campaign worked by confronting Škoda's image problem head-on - a tactic which marketing professionals regard as high risk. If the Fabia and Octavia had been anything less than excellent cars, then the campaign might have backfired badly. By 2005, Škoda was selling over 30,000 units per year in the UK which amounted to a market share of over 1%. For the first time in its UK history, a waiting list developed for deliveries by Škoda.
Škoda now has various manufacturing and assembly plants including one in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Skoda also has an assembly plant in the city of Aurangabad in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.
Škoda is a participant in the World Rally Championship with Škoda Fabia WRC until 2005. The 2006 season saw Skoda represented by a private team.
Models
- Fabia
- Felicia
- Octavia/Laura
- Roomster
- Superb
- 422 (1929)
- 633 (1931)
- Popular (1934)
- Rapid (1934)
- Tudor (1946)
- Sedan (1952)
- Spartak (1955)
- Octavia (1959)
- MB1000/1100 (1964)
- S100/110 (1969)
- 1100 GT (1970)
- Škoda 110R Coupé (1970)
- Škoda 105/120/125 (1976-1990)
- Škoda 130/135/136 (1985-1990)
- Škoda Favorit (1987-1995)
- Winnetou (only prototype in 1968)
Image Gallery
References
Trivia
- In Czech, the word 'škoda' means "damage, detriment, disadvantage", and occurs in the stock phrase "to je škoda", which roughly means, "It's a pity".
See also
External links
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