The company Škoda has come a long way since its founding in 1895. Founded by Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, Škoda has gone on to become one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world, with a presence in over 100 countries.

The history of Škoda began in 1895, when Laurin and Klement established a cycling repair shop in the town of Mladá Boleslav, Bohemia. At first, the two men focused on repairing and selling bicycles, but soon they began to build their own bikes as well. As the business grew, so did their ambition.

In 1899, Laurin and Klement began producing their own motorcycles, followed by their first automobile in 1905. The car, called the Voiturette A, was a small, two-seater vehicle powered by a single-cylinder engine. It was not particularly successful, but it proved to be the first step in the journey that would ultimately lead to the establishment of Škoda.

In 1925, Laurin and Klement merged with Pilsen-based Škoda Works, which had been producing machine tools and locomotives since 1869. This partnership gave the company the resources and expertise to move into the car manufacturing business.

In the years that followed, the company went from strength to strength, with the introduction of the popular Škoda Popular in 1933 and the Škoda 1000MB in 1964. The company’s success was further cemented when it was acquired by the Volkswagen Group in 1991.

Today, Škoda is one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, producing a wide range of vehicles from the small Citigo city car to the family-friendly Superb. The company’s success is built on the foundations laid by Václav Laurin and Václav Klement over a century ago.

It is remarkable to think that Škoda, now one of the world’s leading car brands, was founded by two men in a small town in Bohemia. Through their hard work, vision and determination, Laurin and Klement set Škoda on the path to success, paving the way for the company to become the global giant it is today. They truly are pioneers of the automotive industry, and their legacy lives on in every car that carries the Škoda name.