One of the most successful mergers in automotive history is celebrating its 25th anniversary. On March 28, 1991, the contract was signed that made Škoda, automobilová akciová společnost’ part of Volkswagen Group.
Within a quarter of a century, the brand developed from a regional manufacturer into a dynamic car manufacturer of international calibre.Today, Škoda is producing more than one million vehicles per year and is present in over 100 markets worldwide.The widest model range in the company’s history is manufactured at 14 locations over two continents.In this anniversary year, the Czech car manufacturer begins a new model campaign in the SUV segment.
“In the last 25 years, Škoda has developed from a regional brand into an internationally successful car manufacturer. The decisive factors in that were the acquisition through Volkswagen Group a quarter of a century ago and the professional cooperation between Škoda and Volkswagen. Our brand’s success story is unique in the automotive industry,” said Bernhard Maier, CEO of Škoda.
The incorporation of Škoda into Volkswagen Group ranks among the most successful examples of privatisation of Czechoslovakian state-owned enterprises at the beginning of the 1990s. Production volume at that time was about 200,000 cars per year; the model range consisted of only two model lines – a soon-to-be-discontinued rear-engined model and the compact car Favorit, which was presented in 1987, including its estate version Forman. Today, Škoda offers an extensive model range: from the small car Citigo to the flagship, the Škoda Superb, and with a total of over 40 model variants.
Prior to the merger with Volkswagen Group, several car manufacturers from Western Europe and overseas expressed their interest in the long-established brand to the Czechoslovakian government; the brand was founded at the end of 1895 during the pioneering days of the automobile and thereby ranks among the longest-established car brands in the world. High-ranking, Czech economic and political representatives intervened in the sales negotiations and made a far-sighted decision: in 1991, Škoda was sold to Volkswagen Group.
