Škoda Auto celebrates 130 years of craftsmanship and innovation

› For the past 130 years, Škoda has evolved with a strong customer centricity
› Milestones such as its integration into the Volkswagen Group have enabled its transformation into an internationally successful global player
› Škoda offers the most up-to-date portfolio in its history and provides „the best of both worlds“: fully electric, as well as plug-in-hybrid and ICE drivetrain options
› For 130 years, Škoda has continuously been reinventing itself building on a position of strength to drive the transformation towards electromobility

Mladá Boleslav, 6 October 2025 – Škoda Auto celebrates its 130th anniversary this year, looking back on a journey from Laurin and Klement's first bicycle „made in Mladá Boleslav“ to an internationally successful car manufacturer. To reflect on its eventful history, Škoda is hosting the Classic Days event, showcasing various models that had a profound impact on the company’s development. Yet, there are also milestone events, that played a decisive role in shaping the company’s course such as the start of bicycle production in Mladá Boleslav in 1895, the production of the first motorized bicycles and motorcycles in 1899 and the brand's first participation in motorcycle races in 1901. They also entail both the introduction of the Voiturette A in 1905, the brand's first automobile, including the merger Laurin Klement with the Pilsen-based engineering company Škoda in 1925.

In terms of models, 1987 marked a turning point: with the Favorit, Škoda presented the brand's first modern model with front-wheel drive. In 1991, Škoda became part of the Volkswagen Group—the beginning of a European success story in which Škoda transformed from a regional market leader into an internationally successful global player. In 1996, the first modern generation of the Octavia followed, the first model developed entirely under the umbrella of the Volkswagen Group and a brand leader ever since. In 2020, Škoda presented the Enyaq, its first battery-electric model, which quickly became an international success.

The Classic Days event now showcases Škoda’s long history and heritage, presenting iconic models and offering exhibitions and test drives. Over the past 130 years, the company has proven its resilience, adaptability and customer focus time and time again – shaping its development from the first international export orders from Germany and the United Kingdom in the late 19th century to a globally successful car manufacturer. Today, Škoda is active in around 100 international markets worldwide, among these dynamically growing economies such as India and Vietnam.

This eventful corporate development is the foundation on which the company is building and tackles the comprehensive transformation to electric mobility from a position of strength: with the most modern model range in the company's history and a drive portfolio that includes fully electric models as well as plug-in hybrids and ICEs.