Skoda Auto

Skoda Auto, commonly known as Skoda, is one of the world's oldest automobile manufacturers, with a heritage dating back to 1895. Founded by Václav Laurin and Václav Klement as Laurin & Klement in Mladá Boleslav, the company originally produced bicycles and motorcycles before moving into automobile production. It was acquired by the industrial conglomerate Skoda Works in 1925, from which it takes its modern name.

While the brand is deeply rooted in Czech history and maintains its headquarters and primary manufacturing plants in the Czech Republic, its production footprint is global. Skoda vehicles are manufactured in several countries to serve international markets, utilizing the shared platforms and technology of its parent conglomerate. This global network allows for localized production in major markets like China and India.

Since 1991, Skoda has been part of the Volkswagen Group, a transition that saw the brand evolve from a state-owned enterprise in a centrally planned economy to a successful global competitor. Today, Skoda is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, positioned as a brand that focuses on 'Simply Clever' solutions, offering high-value vehicles that share engineering blueprints with Audi and Volkswagen while maintaining a distinct Czech design language.