40 years ago, Czech manufacturer Skoda had a terrible reputation and was even described as the “laughing stock” of the automotive world. Today, they are one of the largest car manufacturers in Europe and frequently rank near or at the top of customer satisfaction surveys. The badge is now as recognizable and powerful as Volkswagen, Peugeot, Audi and other similar competitors.
History
Skoda was once state-owned during the communist regime, but with the fall of communism, privatisation occurred and Volkswagen Group was selected in 1991 for a partnership agreement. With anti-German sentiments still around following WW2 in the Czech Republic, German brand VW utilised the brand as a way to sell to the emerging Eastern European and Russian market. Initially an entry brand, VW soon spent a fortune on a factory and utilised their expertise to greatly enhance the style and engineering.
Transformation
The Octavia and Fabia models soon followed, with these two cars going on to influence popular models such as the Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Polo and the SEAT Ibiza. The 2000’s dramatically changed their reputation due to the improved design and clever marketing, and they soon emerged as one of the most reliable manufacturers in Europe.
Raising the Bar
Not one to settle, Skoda then set the bar high for themselves with a growth strategy in 2010 with a target of doubling their annual sales to 1.5 million by 2018; this was also accompanied with a redesigned logo. Their reputation continued to soar with the Rapid, the Citago, the 3rd generation Octavia and the Yeti. In 2015, they were voted the most dependable car brand in the UK and posted global annual sales of 1.06 million with a 6.5% profit rise. The same year, Skoda again raised the bar by announcing a corporate strategy to launch an all-electric car by 2021, which has a range of over 300 m and 15-minute charging time.
An Elite Brand
With such an incredible rise and a very bright future on the horizon, there has never been a better time to invest in a Skoda. Specialist dealers, including John Clark, are the best place to find a wide range of new and old cars and to benefit from the best deals. Once not so long ago, motorists would stay clear of the brand at all costs, but now there are many proud Skoda owners who enjoy driving their stylish, affordable and reliable automobiles.
A remarkable story; Skoda has gone from the “laughing stock” to an elite and in-demand brand.
