The ŠKODA story spans over a century in the automobile industry. Telling its history is like telling the story of the world’s motoring. It all began in 1895 when two young men joined efforts to make bicycles under the family business named Laurin & Klement. Later in 1899, the Laurin & Klement Co. began producing motorcycles, which were soon successful and gained several racing victories.
Like the motorcycles, the 1st Laurin & Klement automobile, the Voiturette was a success. The initial phase of automobile manufacture was successful from the very beginning. In 1925, following merger with Pilsen, the company enjoyed enormous progress, producing beautiful vehicles with many fine details and breaking records at international competitions.
In 1991, German automaker Volkswagen AG, one of the premium automobile manufacturers in Europe, acquired ŠKODA. Based in the Czech Republic, ŠKODA Auto has developed, manufactured and marketed passenger cars throughout the world, ensuring comfort, convenience and mobility. Today, ŠKODA Auto has kept its Czech tradition alive through its fleet of premium cars: Fabia, Octavia, Laura and the company’s pride, the ŠKODA Superb.
ŠKODA Auto enters the Indian Market
ŠKODA entered the Indian premium car market in 2001 and setup a plant at Shendra, on the outskirts of Aurangabad, making it the company’s first assembly facility outside Europe. This plant is spread across 300,000 square meters. Looking at the growing demand for its products ŠKODA India also doubled it production capacity to 40,000 units per year. This facility is also regarded as one of the best engine assembly plants in Asia.
ŠKODA India, until now has introduced four product lines including the flagship ŠKODA Superb, ŠKODA Laura, ŠKODA Octavia and the ŠKODA Fabia. It has been instrumental in bringing in latest technologies like Twin Door technology, 1.8 turbo petrol engine, common rail diesel engine and DSG Automatic gearbox among others.
ŠKODA India’s Vision Statement
ŠKODA India wants to aid in the globalisation of the Indian Auto industry by bringing in technology that heralds a renaissance for the industry, by exemplifying the highest standards of safety and comfort for its consumers with as much care and concern for the environment.
Existing Models and Expansion Ahead
ŠKODA India has 4 models on sale in India – ŠKODA Superb, ŠKODA Laura, ŠKODA Octavia and ŠKODA Fabia. Once launched the ŠKODA Yeti will be the fifth offering, boosting the company’s product line. ŠKODA has a network of 63 dealerships and 4 Boutique Showrooms across the country and has sold over 90,373 units since November 2001.
Awards and Achievements
ŠKODA Auto India began 2010 in style by winning ten coveted auto industry awards.
ŠKODA’s flagship product the all new ŠKODA Superb brought home the following awards:
- ‘Best Sedan of the Year award’ at Auto Bild India Golden Steering Wheel Awards 2010.
- ‘Most Fun to Drive Car of the Year’ at Auto Bild India Golden Steering Wheel Awards 2010.
- ET Zigwheels Awards 2009 as the ‘Executive Sedan of the Year’.
- Business Standard Motoring Awards 2010 as the ‘BS Motoring Executive Car of the Year 2010′.
- ‘Entry Premium Car of the Year’ at the NDTV Car India awards.
- ‘Car of the Year’ at the BBC TopGear Awards 2009
The new ŠKODA Laura was awarded with the prestigious awards below:
- Overdrive – CNBC TV18 Awards 2010 as the ‘Midsize Car of the Year’
- Auto Bild India Golden Steering Wheel Awards 2010 as the ‘Best Variant of the Year’.
- ‘Best Variant of the Year’ at the Bloomberg UTVi Autocar award
ŠKODA Fabia was honoured with the award:
- TNS Voice of the Customer Award 2009 for Upper Premium Compact Category
The year 2009 too proved to be as successful for ŠKODA Auto India as other years with the achievement of ‘Car of the Year’ and the ‘Compact Car of the Year’ award for the super hatch Fabia by CNBC Overdrive Awards. The car also bagged the ‘Active Small Car of the Year’ at the NDTV Profit Car India & Bike India Awards. Like 2009, the year 2008 had been a very successful one with the achievement of TNS Voice of the Customer Awards for ŠKODA Octavia in Premium Mid Size car segment. ŠKODA India has received a spate of awards which has been remarkable in terms of achievements like being ranked 1st in Sales satisfaction index for two consecutive years by J D POWER ASIA PACIFIC AWARDS FOR 2007 and 2008. ŠKODA India also achieved the TCS award in mid size premium segment against Honda Civic in 2006 and the other awards achieved are ‘Most Technologically Advanced Car’. The other awards received in the past include ‘NFO Voice of customer’ award in 2003 and the BBC Wheels award in 2002 for the ‘Best entry luxury car’.
Now, The ŠKODA Prize takes this quest for the best to the next level. The ŠKODA Prize will seek, recognise and reward India’s best young contemporary artist. And will further reinforce ŠKODA’s commitment to this great nation and its immense talent.
