Laurin & Klement / Škoda 120 Years of Success

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The second person was not only the navigator, 

but also a mechanic and he took care of 

topping up the coolant.

The ŠKODA Popular won an outstanding 

second place at the legendary Monte Carlo 

rally.

Motorsports in 1909: the Laurin & Klement 

FCR racing car with four cylinders, 

5,672 cm

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 capacity and 100 PS power managed 

a top speed of almost 120 km/h.

The legendary ŠKODA 130 RS.

In the early 1990s, the ŠKODA Favorit was 

successful at renowned events, such as the 

Monte Carlo rally.

In 1999, ŠKODA’s model, Octavia WRC, entered 

the top category of the world championship in 

motor racing.

ŠKODA Fabia 2000 – The most successful 

racing car in the brand’s sports history.

ŠKODA Fabia R5. First-time racing victory 

at Rally Šumava 2015.

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From Bohemia to the end of the world

Successful in more than

100 markets

Even in the early days, motorcycles from Mladá Bole-

slav caused a stir also outside of Bohemia. As early as 

1900 a part of the L&K production went to Germany and 

Great  Britain.  Today,  ŠKODA  is  established  globally  in 

more than 100 markets and the proportion of vehicles 

delivered outside of Europe is more than 40 percent.

Right from the start L&K dared to cross borders and 

recognised the opportunities of foreign markets. At 

the beginning of the 20

th

 century there were several 

branches in Germany, Great Britain, Austria, Italy and 

Russia. Before the First World War, around one third 

of the entire L&K production went to the Russian 

market. There was also success outside of Europe. 

Right-hand drive L&K vehicles went to Japan, where 

the Japanese Prince and the mayor of Tokyo were 

amongst the customers. The company even exported 

to Brazil, Australia, Egypt, Mexico and New Zealand.

In spite of globally restricted international trade, there 

were some notable ŠKODA export successes between 

the two world wars. In the 1930s, innovative ŠKODA 

models, such as the Popular or the Rapid, inspired 

countless customers at home and abroad. The excel-

lent reputation of the vehicles from Mladá Boleslav 

even in countries such as Afghanistan was, at least 

partially, the result of spectacular ŠKODA long-dis-

tance journeys. Various models with the winged arrow 

proved to be very reliable and highly capable even 

under extreme conditions.

After the Second World War and the transformation 

into a nationally owned company, ŠKODA gradually 

restarted sales activities abroad. With success. In 

the 1960s, the company sold its models in more than 

60 countries. The elegant ŠKODA 450 convertible, for 

example, was exported to the USA. Around 93 per cent 

of the ŠKODA 110 R coupé went to countries outside of 

Czechoslovakia. Off-road vehicles such as the Skopak 

and Trekka were built in New Zealand, Pakistan and 

Turkey. The parts were sent from Mladá Boleslav and 

assembled locally with the help of ŠKODA engineers. 

The introduction of the new rear engines in 1964 was 

a big reason for the success of the brand abroad. By 

the end of the 1980s, around 17,000 ŠKODA vehicles 

were sold in Great Britain alone.

Upon the arrival of Volkswagen Group in 1991, the 

internationalisation of the brand was given a decisive 

boost. A car maker that was at that time mainly 

focussed on Central and Eastern Europe was trans-

formed into what is today an internationally operating 

car manufacturer with a presence in more than 

100 markets. Today, China is the biggest single ŠKODA 

market, with a share of around a quarter of the brand’s 

total sales. In Germany, the most important car market 

in Europe, ŠKODA has been the number one import 

brand for many years.

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The good reputation of the Laurin & Klement 

brand reached as far as to the Japanese Prince 

and the mayor of Tokyo (1908).

The ŠKODA 1000 MB was introduced in 1964. 

As the first ŠKODA with a rear engine and self-

supporting body, the vehicle set standards in terms 

of comfort, performance and technology and won 

over customers both at home and abroad.

The last vehicle from Mladá Boleslav powered 

by a rear engine was the ŠKODA 125 L (offered 

in several markets with a different type 

designation). At the end of the 1980s, the 

manufacturer presented the new ŠKODA 

Favorit, a modern compact car with a front 

engine and front-wheel drive.

In the 1930s, ŠKODA models inspired customers 

around the world in almost 40 countries. This photo 

shows the ŠKODA Popular delivery in modern-day 

Pakistan, then still a part of British India (1937).

Rollers and motor-ploughs were amongst the 

L&K range before the First World War. The 

‘Excelsior’ motor-plough was even in demand 

abroad. At the international competition for 

ploughs in Senlis near Paris, an ‘Excelsior’ 

achieved first place (1919).

In the 1980s, alongside notchback models, 

ŠKODA also made its mark with the Garde / 

Rapid coupés. With an inclined windscreen, flat 

roof, increased engine performance and more 

powerful brakes, the coupés underlined the 

motorsporting ambitions of the brand.

ŠKODA AUTO today sells vehicles in more than 

100 markets around the world.

In the 1960s, the ŠKODA Trekka was built for 

the New Zealand market.

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