Skoda
Czechoslovakia is a European country that can boast of technological development. In terms of contribution to the global car industry, the Czechs were able to come up with a car brand that could be distinctly identified as a pure Czech. Skoda Auto is an automobile maker whose roots can be firmly traced to the Czech Republic.
Currently, Skoda is one of the oldest four car assemblers in global history. Like all other carmakers, the history of the company is also very interesting and is full of twists and turns. Skoda is one of the few companies that arose from coincidences and impulsive consumer behaviour. Skoda's establishment can be dated back to the 1890s.
Skoda was not originally a car manufacturer. Like all other car brands during those times, Skoda used to be a bicycle manufacturer before it became a carmaker. The company was started as a response to the incompetence and poor customer relations services of another company. Skoda's founder Vaclav Klement was a professional bookseller. He was keen ride his bicycle to work everyday.
One day, Mr Klement's bicycle was damaged and could no longer be used. Thus, the new bicycle covered by warranty was sent back to Seidel and Naumann, which was the manual vehicle's developer. Mr Klement accompanied the bicycle for repair with a letter that politely asked the repair of the unit and the cause of the damage.
Unfortunately, the letter, which was written in Czech, was returned to Mr Klement. A short note told Mr Klement that to be able to be understood, he should write a letter using a common language for them, German. Human nature had it that Mr Klement would react in full disgust. Out of that disappointment, he decided to start up his own bicycle repair centre.
A business partner named Vaclav Laurin, who was already a recognized bicycle repairman and maker, ventured with Mr Klement and in 1895 they founded their own bicycle company. The resulting company was initially called Slavia.
In 1899, Slavia started manufacturing motorcycles. Six years after, in 1905, the company began making cars. Since then, Slavia harnessed its expertise in the manufacture of almost all types of vehicles, from bicycles to motorcycles and cars.
During the eventful Second World War, Slavia also fell victim to the rising financial difficulty hounding the global car industry at the time. In 1924, Slavia entered a deal to merge with Czech conglomerate Skoda Works. After that, Skoda Auto eventually became the name of the company and the corporate culture was a combination of Slavia and Skoda.
Through the years, Skoda steadily performed in the global car industry. Rapid globalization and consolidation within the industry led to the takeover of the company by German car giant Volkswagen Group in 1991. Up until now, the company is still flourishing and making a long history of car assembly.
Skoda cars are simply among the most patronized and well recognized car brands in the world market for cars. The car brand is still very well geared towards a very bright future in car assembly.
Original Authors: Manny
Edit Update Authors: RPN
Updated On: 15/08/2007
