As of 2017, Škoda's profit margin was the second highest of all Volkswagen AG brands after Porsche. ==History== The Škoda Works were established as an arms manufacturer in 1859.
ŠKODA AUTO (and its predecessor Laurin & Klement) is the fifth oldest company producing cars and has an unbroken history alongside Daimler, Opel, Peugeot and Tatra. ===Laurin & Klement=== As with many long-established car manufacturers, the company which would become Škoda Auto started in the early 1890s by manufacturing bicycles.
(), often shortened to Škoda, is a Czech automobile manufacturer founded in 1895 as Laurin & Klement and headquartered in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. In 1925 Laurin & Klement was acquired by the industrial conglomerate Škoda Works, which itself became state owned in 1948.
==Notes== ==References== ==External links== Skoda-storyboard – official news of Škoda Auto Car manufacturers of the Czech Republic Cars of the Czech Republic Motor vehicle manufacturers of Czechoslovakia Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1895 Volkswagen Group Czech brands Car brands 1895 establishments in Austria-Hungary
Škoda (then Laurin & Klement) factories were founded in 1896 as a velocipede manufacturer. In , 26-year-old Václav Klement, who was a bookseller in Mladá Boleslav, Kingdom of Bohemia (today's Czech Republic, then part of Austria-Hungary), was unable to obtain spare parts to repair his German bicycle.
Klement returned his bicycle to the manufacturers, Seidel and Naumann, with a letter, in Czech, asking them to carry out repairs, only to receive a reply, in German, stating: "If you want us to answer you, we insist that you convey your message in a language we understand." Not satisfied with the reply and realising the business potential, Klement, despite having no technical experience, decided to start a bicycle repair shop, which he and Václav Laurin opened in 1896 in Mladá Boleslav.
Before going into partnership with Klement, Laurin was an established bicycle manufacturer in the nearby town of Turnov. In 1898, after moving to their newly built factory, the pair bought a Werner "Motocyclette".
To design a safer machine with its structure around the engine, the pair wrote to German ignition specialist Robert Bosch for advice on a different electromagnetic system. Their new Slavia motorcycle made its debut in 1899 and the company became the first motorcycle factory in Central Europe.
In 1900, with a company workforce of 32, Slavia exports began and 150 machines were shipped to London for the Hewtson firm.
(VW AG joint venture) |- | Yizheng (China) | Rapid (China) | |- | Ningbo (China) | Octavia, Karoq | |- | Nanjing (China) | Superb | |- |Changsha (China) |Kodiaq | |} ==Motorsport== The Škoda brand has been engaged in motor sport since 1901, and has gained a number of titles with various vehicles around the world.
Shortly afterwards, the press credited them as makers of the first motorcycle. By 1905, the firm was manufacturing automobiles, making it the second-oldest car manufacturer in the Czech lands after Tatra.
During the same year, Škoda celebrated several milestones, including fourteen million Škoda cars being produced since 1905 (January), three million Fabias (May), 500,000 Superbs at the Kvasiny plant (June) and 5 years of Škoda operations in China. Massive rejuvenation of the model range was a major tune for 2013 at Škoda: The Czech car maker launched the third-generation Octavia Combi and Octavia RS (both liftback and estate) as well as facelifted Superb and Superb Combi.
The current fastest production Škoda car is the Škoda Superb III, with a top speed of and an acceleration from in 5.8 seconds. ==Models== ==Logo== In 1923 two different trademarks were registered at the Office for Innovation and Model Registration in Plzeň.
(), often shortened to Škoda, is a Czech automobile manufacturer founded in 1895 as Laurin & Klement and headquartered in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. In 1925 Laurin & Klement was acquired by the industrial conglomerate Škoda Works, which itself became state owned in 1948.
Most of the later production took place under Škoda's name. An assembly line was used for production from 1930 onwards.
At the time, the car factory in Mladá Boleslav covered an area of 215,000 square metres and employed 3,750 blue-collar and 500 white-collar workers. After a decline caused by the economic depression, Škoda introduced a new line of cars in the 1930s which significantly differed from its previous products.
First used on model Škoda 420 Standard in 1933, it aimed at solving insufficient torsional stiffness of the ladder frame. The new design of chassis became the basis for models Popular (845–1,089 cc), Rapid (1,165–1,766 cc), Favorit (1,802–2,091 cc) and the Superb (2,492–3,991 cc).
While in 1933 Škoda had a 14% share of the Czechoslovak car market and occupied third place behind Praga and Tatra, the new line made it a market leader by 1936, with a 39% share in 1938. ===World War II=== During the occupation of Czechoslovakia in World War II the Škoda Works were turned into part of the Reichswerke Hermann Göring serving the German war effort by producing components for military terrain vehicles, military planes, other weapon components and cartridge cases.
While in 1933 Škoda had a 14% share of the Czechoslovak car market and occupied third place behind Praga and Tatra, the new line made it a market leader by 1936, with a 39% share in 1938. ===World War II=== During the occupation of Czechoslovakia in World War II the Škoda Works were turned into part of the Reichswerke Hermann Göring serving the German war effort by producing components for military terrain vehicles, military planes, other weapon components and cartridge cases.
The ŠKODA text was added to the logo in 1936.
While in 1933 Škoda had a 14% share of the Czechoslovak car market and occupied third place behind Praga and Tatra, the new line made it a market leader by 1936, with a 39% share in 1938. ===World War II=== During the occupation of Czechoslovakia in World War II the Škoda Works were turned into part of the Reichswerke Hermann Göring serving the German war effort by producing components for military terrain vehicles, military planes, other weapon components and cartridge cases.
Vehicle output decreased from 7,052 in 1939 to 683 in 1944, of which only 35 were passenger cars.
The UK and US air forces bombed the Škoda works repeatedly between 1940 and 1945.
Vehicle output decreased from 7,052 in 1939 to 683 in 1944, of which only 35 were passenger cars.
A total of 316 trucks were produced between January and May 1945.
The UK and US air forces bombed the Škoda works repeatedly between 1940 and 1945.
The final massive air raid took place on 25 April 1945 and resulted in the almost complete destruction of the Škoda armament works and about 1,000 dead or injured. ===Post World War II=== When, by July 1945, the Mladá Boleslav factory had been reconstructed, production of Škoda's first post-World War II car, the 1101 series began.
(), often shortened to Škoda, is a Czech automobile manufacturer founded in 1895 as Laurin & Klement and headquartered in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic. In 1925 Laurin & Klement was acquired by the industrial conglomerate Škoda Works, which itself became state owned in 1948.
In the autumn of 1948, Škoda (along with all other large manufacturers) became part of the communist planned economy, which meant it was separated from the parent company, Škoda Works.
In spite of unfavourable political conditions and losing contact with technical development in non-communist countries, Škoda retained a good reputation until the 1960s, producing models such as the Škoda 440 Spartak, 445 Octavia, Felicia and Škoda 1000 MB. In late 1959, the Škoda Felicia, a compact four-cylinder convertible coupe, was imported into the United States for model year 1960.
In spite of unfavourable political conditions and losing contact with technical development in non-communist countries, Škoda retained a good reputation until the 1960s, producing models such as the Škoda 440 Spartak, 445 Octavia, Felicia and Škoda 1000 MB. In late 1959, the Škoda Felicia, a compact four-cylinder convertible coupe, was imported into the United States for model year 1960.
for retail sale. In the late 1980s, Škoda (then named Automobilové závody, národní podnik or abbreviated AZNP) was still manufacturing cars that conceptually dated back to the 1960s.
Rear-engined models such as the Škoda 105/120 (Estelle) and Rapid sold steadily and performed well against more modern makes in races such as the RAC Rally in the 1970s and 1980s.
In spite of its dated image and becoming the subject of negative jokes – What do you call a Škoda with a sunroof? A skip! – Škodas remained a common sight on the roads of the United Kingdom and Western Europe throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Sport versions of the Estelle and earlier models were produced, using the name "Rapid".
for retail sale. In the late 1980s, Škoda (then named Automobilové závody, národní podnik or abbreviated AZNP) was still manufacturing cars that conceptually dated back to the 1960s.
Rear-engined models such as the Škoda 105/120 (Estelle) and Rapid sold steadily and performed well against more modern makes in races such as the RAC Rally in the 1970s and 1980s.
In spite of its dated image and becoming the subject of negative jokes – What do you call a Škoda with a sunroof? A skip! – Škodas remained a common sight on the roads of the United Kingdom and Western Europe throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Sport versions of the Estelle and earlier models were produced, using the name "Rapid".
The Rapid was once described as the "poor man's Porsche", and had significant sales success in the UK during the 1980s. In 1987 the Favorit was introduced, and was one of a trio of compact front-wheel drive hatchbacks from the three main Eastern Bloc manufacturers around that time, the others being VAZ's Lada Samara and Zastava's Yugo Sana.
The Fabia, launched at the end of 1999, formed the basis for later versions of the Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza, while the Octavia, launched in 1996, has shared its floorpan with a host of cars, the most popular of which is the Volkswagen Golf Mk4. The perception of Škoda in Western Europe has completely changed since the takeover by VW, in stark comparison with the reputation of the cars throughout the 1980s described by some as "the laughing stock" of the automotive world.
The Rapid was once described as the "poor man's Porsche", and had significant sales success in the UK during the 1980s. In 1987 the Favorit was introduced, and was one of a trio of compact front-wheel drive hatchbacks from the three main Eastern Bloc manufacturers around that time, the others being VAZ's Lada Samara and Zastava's Yugo Sana.
The Favorit's trim levels were improved and it continued to be sold until the introduction of the Felicia in 1994. ===Volkswagen Group subsidiary=== Until 1990, Škoda was still making its outdated range of rear engine small family cars, although it had started production of the Favorit front-wheel drive hatchback in 1987 as an eventual replacement. The fall of communism with the Velvet Revolution brought great changes to Czechoslovakia and most industries were subject to privatization.
The Favorit's trim levels were improved and it continued to be sold until the introduction of the Felicia in 1994. ===Volkswagen Group subsidiary=== Until 1990, Škoda was still making its outdated range of rear engine small family cars, although it had started production of the Favorit front-wheel drive hatchback in 1987 as an eventual replacement. The fall of communism with the Velvet Revolution brought great changes to Czechoslovakia and most industries were subject to privatization.
The tender for privatization was announced in 1990.
In August 1990 VW and Renault were on the shortlist. Renault first offered to terminate Favorit production and replace it with the outdated Renault 18 derivative and new Renault Twingo, which would have eliminated the Škoda brand.
UK owners have consistently ranked the brand at or near the top of customer satisfaction surveys since the late 1990s. In 1991 Škoda built 172,000 units exporting 26% of its production to 30 countries, while in 2000 it built 435,000 units exporting 82% of its production to 72 countries. ===Growth strategy=== 2010 was one of the most important years for Škoda Auto, in terms of both products and management.
After 1991 it was gradually privatized to the German Volkswagen Group, becoming a subsidiary in 1994 and a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2000. Škoda automobiles are sold in over 100 countries and in 2018, total global sales reached 1.25 million units, an increase of 4.4% from the previous year.
UK owners have consistently ranked the brand at or near the top of customer satisfaction surveys since the late 1990s. In 1991 Škoda built 172,000 units exporting 26% of its production to 30 countries, while in 2000 it built 435,000 units exporting 82% of its production to 72 countries. ===Growth strategy=== 2010 was one of the most important years for Škoda Auto, in terms of both products and management.
After 1991 it was gradually privatized to the German Volkswagen Group, becoming a subsidiary in 1994 and a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2000. Škoda automobiles are sold in over 100 countries and in 2018, total global sales reached 1.25 million units, an increase of 4.4% from the previous year.
The Favorit's trim levels were improved and it continued to be sold until the introduction of the Felicia in 1994. ===Volkswagen Group subsidiary=== Until 1990, Škoda was still making its outdated range of rear engine small family cars, although it had started production of the Favorit front-wheel drive hatchback in 1987 as an eventual replacement. The fall of communism with the Velvet Revolution brought great changes to Czechoslovakia and most industries were subject to privatization.
The 1994 model Felicia was effectively a reskin of the Favorit, but quality and equipment improvements helped, and in the Czech Republic the car was perceived as good value for money and became popular.
However, at the season-ending Rally Australia, 1995 world champion Colin McRae was running second before retiring.
The Fabia, launched at the end of 1999, formed the basis for later versions of the Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza, while the Octavia, launched in 1996, has shared its floorpan with a host of cars, the most popular of which is the Volkswagen Golf Mk4. The perception of Škoda in Western Europe has completely changed since the takeover by VW, in stark comparison with the reputation of the cars throughout the 1980s described by some as "the laughing stock" of the automotive world.
The worldwide production of this model exceeded 1.4 million units since its release in 1996.
The Fabia, launched at the end of 1999, formed the basis for later versions of the Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza, while the Octavia, launched in 1996, has shared its floorpan with a host of cars, the most popular of which is the Volkswagen Golf Mk4. The perception of Škoda in Western Europe has completely changed since the takeover by VW, in stark comparison with the reputation of the cars throughout the 1980s described by some as "the laughing stock" of the automotive world.
The team had competed as a manufacturer in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (before it merged with ERC in 2013) and World Rally Championship between 1999 and 2005.
Since 2013, When the two competing series were merged, it continued to compete in the European Rally Championship. Škoda Motorsport drivers won with the Škoda Fabia S2000 the European Rally Championships in 2012–2014. ===World Rally Championship=== Following a long history of class victories in lower levels of motorsport, Škoda became a participant in the FIA World Rally Championship in the 1999 season, with World Rally Car models of the Škoda Octavia.
After 1991 it was gradually privatized to the German Volkswagen Group, becoming a subsidiary in 1994 and a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2000. Škoda automobiles are sold in over 100 countries and in 2018, total global sales reached 1.25 million units, an increase of 4.4% from the previous year.
Volkswagen's total investment would have been US$6.6 billion (US$ billion in 2019) by 2000.
On 30 May 2000, Volkswagen AG completed acquisition of Škoda Auto, making the company a wholly owned subsidiary. At the time the decision was made, privatization to a major German company was somewhat controversial, since there was still anti-German sentiment lingering in the Czech Republic from WW2 and its aftermath.
In the UK, a major turnabout was achieved with the ironic "It is a Škoda, honest" campaign, which began in 2000 when the Fabia launched.
UK owners have consistently ranked the brand at or near the top of customer satisfaction surveys since the late 1990s. In 1991 Škoda built 172,000 units exporting 26% of its production to 30 countries, while in 2000 it built 435,000 units exporting 82% of its production to 72 countries. ===Growth strategy=== 2010 was one of the most important years for Škoda Auto, in terms of both products and management.
The car was also raced by privateers in several championships, including Red Bull, Barwa, Rene Georges and Rufa in the 2010 Super 2000 World Rally Championship. Škoda Motorsport won the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 WRC-2 championships with Škoda Fabia R5. ===Bonneville Speedway=== In August 2011, a special Škoda Octavia vRS set a world record at the Bonneville Speedway and became the fastest production car in the world with an engine up to two litres, when it hit .
Škoda's best result with the Octavia WRC was Armin Schwarz's third place at the 2001 Safari Rally.
In a 2003 advertisement on British television, a new employee on the production line is fitting Škoda badges on the car bonnets.
From mid 2003, the Octavia was replaced by the smaller Škoda Fabia.
Škoda used the 2004 season to develop the car further, but did not achieve much success the following season.
By 2005 Škoda was selling over 30,000 cars a year in the UK, a market share of over 1%.
The team had competed as a manufacturer in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (before it merged with ERC in 2013) and World Rally Championship between 1999 and 2005.
Škoda then withdrew from the series, and the 2006 season saw Škoda represented by the semi-privateer Red Bull Škoda Team.
Former works Ford and Citroen driver François Duval also drove a Fabia WRC in 2006 for the privateer First Motorsport team, achieving a sixth-place finish in Catalunya. ===World Rally Championship-2=== In 2009, Škoda entered the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) for the first time, using the Fabia S2000, winning three rallies and finishing second in both the drivers and manufacturers championship.
Jan Kopecký drove the Fabia WRC to fifth place at the Rally Catalunya, and as late as the 2007 Rallye Deutschland the Fabia still achieved a fifth-place result, again in the hands of Kopecký.
Former works Ford and Citroen driver François Duval also drove a Fabia WRC in 2006 for the privateer First Motorsport team, achieving a sixth-place finish in Catalunya. ===World Rally Championship-2=== In 2009, Škoda entered the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) for the first time, using the Fabia S2000, winning three rallies and finishing second in both the drivers and manufacturers championship.
On 1 September 2010, Prof.
In the same year, Škoda set forth plans to double the company's annual sales to at least 1.5 million by 2018 (later known as the 'Growth Strategy', Růstová strategie). At the 2010 Paris Motor Show in September 2010, the company unveiled the Octavia Green E Line.
The final 1st-generation Octavia (Tour) was produced at the Mladá Boleslav plant in November 2010.
In 2010 for the first time in history, China overtook German sales to become Škoda's largest individual market. In 2011, Škoda Auto celebrated its 20-year partnership with the Volkswagen Group.
Now it competes in the European Rally Championship and WRC-2. Until the final season of IRC in 2012, Škoda Motorsport was the most successful manufacturer with a total of 27 points, winning the rallying series in 2010–2012.
In 2010, Škoda won a total of seven IRC events winning both the manufacturers and driver championship for Juho Hänninen.
The car was also raced by privateers in several championships, including Red Bull, Barwa, Rene Georges and Rufa in the 2010 Super 2000 World Rally Championship. Škoda Motorsport won the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 WRC-2 championships with Škoda Fabia R5. ===Bonneville Speedway=== In August 2011, a special Škoda Octavia vRS set a world record at the Bonneville Speedway and became the fastest production car in the world with an engine up to two litres, when it hit .
In 2010 for the first time in history, China overtook German sales to become Škoda's largest individual market. In 2011, Škoda Auto celebrated its 20-year partnership with the Volkswagen Group.
With this in mind, the company redesigned its logo and CI, which was presented at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.
Škoda presented the MissionL design study at the IAA in Frankfurt am Main in September, which was to become the basis of the company's forthcoming compact model the European Rapid. In the same year, the company started production of the new Rapid model in Pune, India (October 2011), and launched the Škoda Citigo at Volkswagen's Bratislava plant (November 2011). In 2012 Škoda introduced two new mass production models.
Since internal tests on the fleet in late 2011, the e-fleet had driven more than 250,000 km.
The car was also raced by privateers in several championships, including Red Bull, Barwa, Rene Georges and Rufa in the 2010 Super 2000 World Rally Championship. Škoda Motorsport won the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 WRC-2 championships with Škoda Fabia R5. ===Bonneville Speedway=== In August 2011, a special Škoda Octavia vRS set a world record at the Bonneville Speedway and became the fastest production car in the world with an engine up to two litres, when it hit .
This e-car concept was the forerunner to the e-car test fleet that Škoda released in 2012.
Škoda presented the MissionL design study at the IAA in Frankfurt am Main in September, which was to become the basis of the company's forthcoming compact model the European Rapid. In the same year, the company started production of the new Rapid model in Pune, India (October 2011), and launched the Škoda Citigo at Volkswagen's Bratislava plant (November 2011). In 2012 Škoda introduced two new mass production models.
The second model was the 3rd-generation Octavia, which premiered in December 2012.
In the same month, local production of the Yeti was launched at the Nizhny Novgorod GAZ factory. In 2012 Škoda introduced an emission-free fleet of Octavia Green E Line e-cars on Czech roads to be used by external partners.
Now it competes in the European Rally Championship and WRC-2. Until the final season of IRC in 2012, Škoda Motorsport was the most successful manufacturer with a total of 27 points, winning the rallying series in 2010–2012.
Since 2013, When the two competing series were merged, it continued to compete in the European Rally Championship. Škoda Motorsport drivers won with the Škoda Fabia S2000 the European Rally Championships in 2012–2014. ===World Rally Championship=== Following a long history of class victories in lower levels of motorsport, Škoda became a participant in the FIA World Rally Championship in the 1999 season, with World Rally Car models of the Škoda Octavia.
During the same year, Škoda celebrated several milestones, including fourteen million Škoda cars being produced since 1905 (January), three million Fabias (May), 500,000 Superbs at the Kvasiny plant (June) and 5 years of Škoda operations in China. Massive rejuvenation of the model range was a major tune for 2013 at Škoda: The Czech car maker launched the third-generation Octavia Combi and Octavia RS (both liftback and estate) as well as facelifted Superb and Superb Combi.
In 2013 the brand achieved sales revenues totalling €10.3 billion (2012: €10.4 billion).
The team had competed as a manufacturer in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (before it merged with ERC in 2013) and World Rally Championship between 1999 and 2005.
Since 2013, When the two competing series were merged, it continued to compete in the European Rally Championship. Škoda Motorsport drivers won with the Škoda Fabia S2000 the European Rally Championships in 2012–2014. ===World Rally Championship=== Following a long history of class victories in lower levels of motorsport, Škoda became a participant in the FIA World Rally Championship in the 1999 season, with World Rally Car models of the Škoda Octavia.
In 2013, the Intercontinental Rally Challenge was merged with the European Rally Championship (ERC) and the team gained the drivers' championship title once again for Jan Kopecký.
Škoda achieved a successful start to 2014: As well as recording the highest number of deliveries to customers in a first quarter ever (247,200; up 12.1%), it recorded a significant increase in sales revenue (23.7%) to almost 3 billion euros.
Chinese customers were also given a Yeti with an extended wheelbase. In 2015, Volkswagen admitted that it had installed pollution-cheating software in many of its cars to fool regulators that its cars met emissions standards when in fact they polluted at much higher-levels than government standards.
Škoda stated that Volkswagen would recall and cover refitting costs for all of the cars affected by the Volkswagen emissions testing scandal. In 2015 Škoda was voted the most dependable car brand in the UK.
A corporate strategy was launched in 2015 to produce a range of all-electric cars from 2019. Škoda Auto started to manufacture a large, seven-seat SUV Škoda Kodiaq in 2016, it was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October 2016 and sales began at early 2017.
The car was also raced by privateers in several championships, including Red Bull, Barwa, Rene Georges and Rufa in the 2010 Super 2000 World Rally Championship. Škoda Motorsport won the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 WRC-2 championships with Škoda Fabia R5. ===Bonneville Speedway=== In August 2011, a special Škoda Octavia vRS set a world record at the Bonneville Speedway and became the fastest production car in the world with an engine up to two litres, when it hit .
A corporate strategy was launched in 2015 to produce a range of all-electric cars from 2019. Škoda Auto started to manufacture a large, seven-seat SUV Škoda Kodiaq in 2016, it was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October 2016 and sales began at early 2017.
The car was also raced by privateers in several championships, including Red Bull, Barwa, Rene Georges and Rufa in the 2010 Super 2000 World Rally Championship. Škoda Motorsport won the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 WRC-2 championships with Škoda Fabia R5. ===Bonneville Speedway=== In August 2011, a special Škoda Octavia vRS set a world record at the Bonneville Speedway and became the fastest production car in the world with an engine up to two litres, when it hit .
The operating profit was €1.6 billion in 2017, an increase of 34.6% over the previous year.
As of 2017, Škoda's profit margin was the second highest of all Volkswagen AG brands after Porsche. ==History== The Škoda Works were established as an arms manufacturer in 1859.
A corporate strategy was launched in 2015 to produce a range of all-electric cars from 2019. Škoda Auto started to manufacture a large, seven-seat SUV Škoda Kodiaq in 2016, it was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October 2016 and sales began at early 2017.
In the second half of 2017 began sales of the new compact-SUV Škoda Karoq, which officially replaced the Škoda Yeti.
In 2017 Auto Shanghai, Škoda displayed its Vision E concept for an all-electric 300bhp coupé-SUV, with level 3 autonomy capability and range.
The car was also raced by privateers in several championships, including Red Bull, Barwa, Rene Georges and Rufa in the 2010 Super 2000 World Rally Championship. Škoda Motorsport won the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 WRC-2 championships with Škoda Fabia R5. ===Bonneville Speedway=== In August 2011, a special Škoda Octavia vRS set a world record at the Bonneville Speedway and became the fastest production car in the world with an engine up to two litres, when it hit .
After 1991 it was gradually privatized to the German Volkswagen Group, becoming a subsidiary in 1994 and a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2000. Škoda automobiles are sold in over 100 countries and in 2018, total global sales reached 1.25 million units, an increase of 4.4% from the previous year.
In the same year, Škoda set forth plans to double the company's annual sales to at least 1.5 million by 2018 (later known as the 'Growth Strategy', Růstová strategie). At the 2010 Paris Motor Show in September 2010, the company unveiled the Octavia Green E Line.
Earlier that year, the company provided details on its 2018 Growth Strategy: for at least one new or completely revised model to be released every six months.
The automaker introduced in December 2018 a new small family car Škoda Scala.
By March 2018, the electrification plan was expanded to ten electrified models for 2025: six fully electric cars and four plugin-hybrids.
In 2018, the brand launched its largest-ever investment plan of €2 billion over five years into its electrification. The brand's first fully electric car, a city car Škoda Citigo e iV, is sold from early 2020. ==Sales and markets== Škoda has maintained sound financial stability over recent years.
Škoda is also expanding into emerging markets such as Iran, where imports are to be started from 2018 and production of vehicles by 2020.
The car was also raced by privateers in several championships, including Red Bull, Barwa, Rene Georges and Rufa in the 2010 Super 2000 World Rally Championship. Škoda Motorsport won the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 WRC-2 championships with Škoda Fabia R5. ===Bonneville Speedway=== In August 2011, a special Škoda Octavia vRS set a world record at the Bonneville Speedway and became the fastest production car in the world with an engine up to two litres, when it hit .
Total investment would have been US$2.6 billion (US$ billion in 2019). Volkswagen offered to continue Favorit production and preserve the Škoda brand, including retention of research and development.
Volkswagen's total investment would have been US$6.6 billion (US$ billion in 2019) by 2000.
A corporate strategy was launched in 2015 to produce a range of all-electric cars from 2019. Škoda Auto started to manufacture a large, seven-seat SUV Škoda Kodiaq in 2016, it was introduced at the Paris Motor Show in October 2016 and sales began at early 2017.
The second development stage, the Škoda Vision iV was revealed in March 2019. A plug-in hybrid car, Škoda Superb iV is available for sale from early 2020 and a small SUV model Škoda Kamiq with a natural gas-electric hybrid powertrain and a hybrid Fabia from later the same year.
The following table lists the factories and their production models in 2019. {|class="wikitable " border="1" ! Manufacturing plant ! Production models ! Location ! Operator |- | Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic) | Fabia, Octavia, Kamiq, Karoq, Scala, Enyaq iV | | rowspan="3" | ŠKODA AUTO a.s. |- | Kvasiny (Czech Republic) | Superb, Kodiaq, Karoq, SEAT Ateca | |- | Vrchlabí (Czech Republic) | transmissions | |- | Bratislava (Slovakia) | Citigo | | VOLKSWAGEN SLOVAKIA, a.s.
The second development stage, the Škoda Vision iV was revealed in March 2019. A plug-in hybrid car, Škoda Superb iV is available for sale from early 2020 and a small SUV model Škoda Kamiq with a natural gas-electric hybrid powertrain and a hybrid Fabia from later the same year.
Out of these, five models are to be available by 2020.
In 2018, the brand launched its largest-ever investment plan of €2 billion over five years into its electrification. The brand's first fully electric car, a city car Škoda Citigo e iV, is sold from early 2020. ==Sales and markets== Škoda has maintained sound financial stability over recent years.
In 2020, the top markets for Škoda by number of sales were China (173,300), Germany (161,775), Russia, Czech Republic, Great Britain and Poland.
Škoda is also expanding into emerging markets such as Iran, where imports are to be started from 2018 and production of vehicles by 2020.
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