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This year, Škoda Auto is celebrating its 130th anniversary, while the Škoda Museum marks three decades of showcasing the brand’s rich heritage, from past to present and into the future. Originally opened in September 1995 in the carmaker’s hometown of Mladá Boleslav within the historic factory buildings, the museum underwent extensive modernisation in 2012. Last year alone, it attracted 212,461 visitors – an increase of over five per cent compared to the previous year. Recently, the museum welcomed its four-millionth guest since first opening its doors. To honour this milestone year, a series of special exhibitions explore the Czech carmaker’s legacy, including a display dedicated to the legendary Popular and Rapid models, running until April.

A fascinating car museum and a thriving cultural hub
Established in 1995 to commemorate the carmaker’s centenary, the Škoda Museum is housed in the original Laurin & Klement buildings, where the company operated from 1899 to 1911. Following a comprehensive refurbishment in 2012, the museum now spans 1,800 square metres, showcasing dozens of exhibits and key milestones from Škoda Auto’s 130-year history. In addition to celebrating the past, the museum regularly displays design studies, offering visitors a glimpse into the brand’s future. Beyond its role as a car museum, it also serves as a prominent cultural centre for Mladá Boleslav, hosting a variety of events.
An integral part of the museum is its depository, home to a remarkable collection of concepts, prototypes, and sports cars – from early design studies to previews of subsequent production models, as well as small formula cars and rally specials. This collection reflects Škoda’s visionary approach to automotive design and innovation.
Another visionary in automotive history was Ferdinand Porsche, whose birth house in Liberec-Vratislavice nad Nisou has been owned by Škoda Auto since 2011. Its modern exhibition space engages visitors with interactive displays exploring technology, engineering, and the rich history of mobility – past, present, and future.
Visitors to the museum can also book a guided tour of Škoda’s production plants in Mladá Boleslav, and also with former employees offering free guided tours of the Vrchlabí and Kvasiny sites.

Škoda Auto is marking its 130^th anniversary at the Rétromobile classic car exhibition in Paris. In partnership with Škoda France, the Czech car manufacturer is exhibiting 16 vehicles across three different centuries of automotive history, offering a journey through the company’s heritage. As one of the world’s most prestigious classic car shows, Rétromobile attracts around 130,000 international visitors.

The Czech carmaker is celebrating its 130-year milestone in style. At Porte de Versailles, where the 49^th iteration of Rétromobile is taking place, Škoda has doubled its exhibition space to 500 m². With 16 exhibits, there are more vehicles on display than ever, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to see a broad cross-section of the company’s evolution.

From two wheels to four: the early years
The exhibition traces Škoda’s roots back to the late 19^th century with a replica of the L&K Slavia bicycle from 1897, accompanied by two historic motorcycles: The 1903 L&K BZ was powered by a 331 cm³ single-cylinder engine with a top speed of up to 60 km/h; while the 1905 L&K CCR reflects the company’s continued progress in motorcycle engineering.

The anniversary showcase will be complemented by Škoda’s very first car: The L&K Voiturette A, which made its debut on 29 October 1905, featured a 1, 005 cm³ twin-cylinder engine producing 7 horsepower, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 40 km/h.

A golden era: from the 1920s to 1940
The Škoda L&K 110 from 1929 represents the period shortly after Laurin & Klement merged with the Škoda industrial group in 1925, a transition that gradually led to the renaming of its vehicles. Another standout exhibit is the Škoda Popular Sport Coupé from 1934 – an exceptionally rare model from a limited run of just 5 units, recently acquired by the Škoda Museum. Completing this segment is the Škoda Rapid OHV from 1940, a sibling of the Popular, featuring an aerodynamic body and a top speed of 110 km/h.

Post-war practicality, open-top style, off-road rarity, and a film star
Four cars from the second half of the 20^th century offer a diverse look at Škoda’s evolution. The Škoda 1201 STW, produced in multiple body styles – including an ambulance version – is represented here in its 1958 service vehicle livery. The Škoda Felicia from 1961, powered by a 1,089 cm³ four-cylinder engine producing 50 horsepower, became an icon of 1960s elegance, reaching speeds of up to 130 km/h.

Another model awaiting visitors to the Škoda booth is the rugged utility vehicle Škoda Trekka, built in New Zealand between 1966 and 1973 using mechanical components from the Škoda Octavia Super. Rounding off this selection is the one-of-a-kind Škoda 110 Super Sport Ferat from 1981, a bespoke model created specifically for the cult Czech horror film Ferat Vampire (Upír z Feratu).

The modern era and the electric future
Škoda’s 21st-century line-up is represented by five models. The Škoda Octavia WRC (2003) highlights the brand’s long-standing commitment to motorsport, while the Škoda Superb Tour de France from 2005 reflects its close ties to professional cycling. The Škoda Yeti Extreme Concept, unveiled in 2014, was created as a high-performance show car. Representing Škoda’s current production range in Paris are two electric models: the Škoda Enyaq and the all-new Škoda Elroq.

Rétromobile: a world-class celebration of automotive heritage
The Rétromobile exhibition takes place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from today, Wednesday, 5 February to Sunday, 9 February. As one of the world’s most prestigious classic car shows, it attracts around 130,000 international visitors, including both enthusiasts and industry professionals. Škoda is a regular participant at the event – last year, the car manufacturer marked the 90^th anniversary of the Škoda Superb with a dedicated display.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

 After Škoda Auto joined forces with the Volkswagen Group in 1991, a major investment programme was launched. One of its key milestones was introducing the groundbreaking Škoda Octavia model series, which required an entirely new production line at the Mladá Boleslav plant. Exactly 30 years ago, on 14 February 1995, the foundation stone for this facility was laid by then-President of the Czech Republic Václav Havel and Volkswagen Group Chairman Ferdinand Piëch. The investment totalled CZK 11 billion, and by September 1996, production was already underway in Hall M13. Today, this state-of-the-art, highly flexible production line adapts to changing customer demands by building the Octavia with efficient combustion engines alongside the all-electric Enyaq family and the Elroq.

Škoda Auto entered the highly dynamic Indian market 25 years ago: In January 2000 the Czech car manufacturer laid the foundation stone for its plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad until 2022) and was the first Volkswagen Group brand to establish a presence on the local market. The Škoda Octavia became the first model assembled locally. To date, India has become a key market in Škoda’s internationalisation plans, helping the company to effectively leverage existing sales potential in the ASEAN region, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. On behalf of the Volkswagen Group, Škoda Auto has been spearheading all activities in the region jointly since 2018. Today, the brand developed and produces three models locally in India for India, based on the localised MQB A0–IN platform: the Kushaq, the Slavia, and, most recently, the Kylaq compact SUV, which expands the line-up into the popular sub-4 metre segment.

“We have built on 25 years of experience in India to make this thriving market the cornerstone of our international growth strategy. With its tremendous talent pool, growing consumer demand, and access to other markets, India is becoming our second pillar outside Europe and helping leverage further sales potential in ASEAN, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific region. Škoda has been a notable brand in India since we entered the market with the Octavia in 2001. We now produce in two plants. We have launched three all-new models specifically for India, achieving localization of up to 95 per cent: the Škoda Kushaq, Slavia, and just recently the Kylaq compact SUV, which complement the Octavia and Superb we also sell through a growing dealer network. In the last two years, we have increased customer touchpoints across the country by 35%. India also contributes to the global sustainability goals of Škoda Auto. One plant already runs entirely on green energy, while the plant in Pune expanded its photovoltaic system to deliver up to 30% of its electricity needs. I want to thank all our Indian colleagues for helping power the next stage of our growth, and especially our customers for their trust in our products. With this passion, we can achieve even greater things in the next 25 years!”

Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto

Models struck a chord with customers and experts alike
The first Škoda model introduced to Indian customers was the first generation of the modern Octavia, assembled from imported parts in rented facilities alongside the construction of the plant in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Over time, other Škoda models, such as the Fabia, Rapid, and later the Superb and Kodiaq, also attracted the attention of Indian customers.

A decisive step for Škoda in India came in 2018 when the Volkswagen Group entrusted the brand with jointly spearheading all Group activities on the market. As part of this, Škoda was tasked with developing the MQB-A0-IN platform, designed exclusively for the Indian market. The first vehicle built on this platform was the Kushaq, which entered production in Pune in 2021. Just a year later, the Slavia sedan was launched, with its development and manufacturing also carried out in Pune. The latest addition to Škoda’s portfolio for the Indian market is the Kylaq SUV, Škoda’s first model in the popular sub-4-metre segment, accounting for nearly 50% of car sales in the Indian market. The new model received 10,000 orders within just ten days of its launch and will contribute to the brands annual sales target of 100,000 cars in India by 2026.

The quality and reputation of Škoda’s vehicles in India is reflected not only in strong customer interest but also in numerous prestigious awards. For instance, the Škoda Slavia was named India’s Sedan of the Year in 2022 and won Car of the Year 2023 at the Acko Drive Awards.

Investments and employment support
In the meantime, the Indian market has developed into one of the key markets for Škoda and a strategic hub for the wider ASEAN region, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition to its assembly lines in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and manufacturing plant in Pune, Škoda has established a Technology Centre there. Moreover, in October 2023, Škoda opened a modern logistics facility for the export of components to Vietnam, a market the company entered in 2023.

CO₂-neutrality of all its plants in India by 2030
Sustainable production is a major priority for Škoda, also in its Indian plants: The facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar operates entirely on green energy, while the Chakan plant in Pune is on track to achieve CO₂ neutrality by 2030. On top of that, this 500-hectare plant site provides a habitat for more than 300 species of plants, trees and animals. Furthermore, the company is involving local suppliers in India and plays an active role in infrastructure development, supporting education and social initiatives. At its plant in Pune, Škoda expanded its photovoltaic system which is now capable of producing up to 26.6 GWh of electricity annually, covering up to 30% of the site’s electricity consumption.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com