News
OK
30
Years that the highest trim level of Škoda cars has been called Laurin & Klement.
News
100 Years Have Passed Since the Merger of L&K and the Škoda Group
The merger of the Laurin & Klement carmaker and the Pilsen‑based Škoda industrial group took place on 12 September 1925. In the 1920s, both companies struggled with post-war economic difficulties and the collapse of traditional markets. Furthermore, in 1924, the L&K factory in Mladá Boleslav was devastated by fire. Therefore, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement decided to find a strong strategic partner. At the time, L&K employed 1,125 people, while Škoda Plzeň had over 30,000 employees; however, its automobile production was rather symbolic and focused on the licensed production of English Sentinel steam wagons and Hispano‑Suiza luxury passenger cars. Unlike other options under consideration, the merger with Škoda Plzeň guaranteed the continuation of independent car development and production in Mladá Boleslav. The strong partner launched an ambitious investment programme under the Škoda brand: the transfer of cutting-edge technologies, including the introduction of assembly line production, an expanded model line‑up and the strengthening of positions on both domestic and foreign markets. The merger with the Plzeň headquarters was forcibly severed by nationalisation in 1945.
Škoda Auto World
Choose your clothing interactively
A comprehensive overview of workwear, protective clothing, uniforms and technical clothing designed for paint shops can be found now in a new interactive catalogue that lets you quickly find specific items. The catalogue was created in collaboration with HR, production and representatives of the KOVO trade union, and it contains information on eligibility, distribution methods, material composition and sizes. You can find it on Škoda Space. A Škoda footwear catalogue will also be published soon.
Škoda Auto at NATO Days
Škoda also supported Europe’s largest military and rescue equipment show, which took place on 20 and 21 September at Leoš Janáček Airport in Ostrava–Mošnov. It provided 25 cars for VIP transport and presented a number of exhibits to visitors. These were mainly SUVs, which interested visitors could test in challenging conditions on an off‑road track. A historic Škoda 1100 MBX from 1969 was also on display, and there was a range of activities for families and children.
Jozef Baláž is the new head of corporate communications
After more than 25 years, Tomáš Kotera, the former head of GKU – Corporate Communications, has left Škoda Auto. He has been replaced by Jozef Baláž, who previously held this position from 2011 to 2017. Since then, he has worked as Director of PR and Communications and later as Head of the Škoda brand at Volkswagen Group China in Beijing. From 2023 until now, he has been Head of VX4 – Customer Experience & Engagement. In his new role, J. Baláž is responsible for corporate matters and reports directly to Thomas Drechsler, Head of GK – Communications.
Since 2009, when it launched the Yeti model, Škoda Auto has produced 4 million SUVs. More than a quarter of these are the top-of-the-range Kodiaq model.
Shelter receives food from Škoda Auto
Since 1 October, meals from the central kitchen are helping families at the shelter for mothers with children in Mladá Boleslav. The project, which involves Škoda Auto, the KOVO trade union, the city of Mladá Boleslav and GTH catering, aims to provide concrete help to people in difficult life situations while fulfilling the values of social responsibility and sustainability. The meals are prepared in a state‑of‑the-art central kitchen and then frozen to extend their shelf life to up to 30 days while maintaining their taste and quality. They are delivered to the shelter once a week.
The successful Kodiaq is now rolling off another production line
There is extraordinary interest among customers in the new generation of this top-of-the-range SUV. The Kodiaq has become Škoda’s second best‑selling model, so the carmaker has expanded its production in Kvasiny to include another line. Doing this required extensive modifications to almost all key equipment. For example, the ML1 assembly line saw the conversion of the manipulator that installs the dashboard and the complete reconstruction of the automatic station for positioning the front of the car. It now has new equipment for attaching components and a more advanced camera system to guide the robot.
Measures for hot days have once again made the summer months easier for Škoda Auto employees. Take a look at what employees consumed from June to August this year.
442,933
fruit and vegetable salads served. That is 10% more than last year.
46,718
Packages of effervescent tablets. That is 41% more than last year.
Isotonic drinks
Total since the beginning of the year 146,024 l
On hot days 69,326 l
How they see us
Autíčkář.cz
Vision O
The Vision O concept filled the Czech and world media in September. See how it caught the eye, especially with its appearance.
(9 September 2025)
The designers have finally let loose – the concept looks completely different from all previous models
A very well‑designed rear end with remodelled headlights and a negatively sloped boot lid
Generous boot space
Clean interior design
Use of recycled and recyclable materials
Features, such as rear doors that open against the direction of travel, will probably remain only in the concept
Some compromises in the interior will be necessary for production feasibility
Test drive the Elroq for free
The latest electric car from Škoda offers a comfortable, quiet and efficient ride with zero emissions. You can see for yourself on a family trip, for example. Thanks to cooperation with the KOVO trade union, a new project is being launched to provide free Elroq short-term loans to Škoda Auto employees. You can try out the electric car either from Friday to Monday or from Tuesday to Thursday. The only condition is to take a photo with the car and send it to interni.komunikace@skoda-auto.cz. The project is starting in Mladá Boleslav and will gradually expand to Kvasiny and Vrchlabí. Details about reservations, rental times and charging can be found on Škoda Space.
4
You can rent an Elroq for up to four days.
On the net
Chief designer shares sketching tips
Pencil and paper are still essential tools for Oliver Stefani, Head of ED – Škoda Design. He is a master of sketching and has now decided to share some of his skills with anyone interested. In this video lesson, he offers several useful tips, from warm-up exercises to working with perspective.