From Fire and Challenge to Global Triumph, we look at the 100-Year Journey of Škoda and Laurin & Klement.
In 1925, amid economic uncertainty and after a devastating factory fire, two visionary Czech companies joined forces in a merger that would define automotive excellence for generations.
Laurin & Klement, a pioneering Mladá Boleslav-based automaker celebrating its 30th anniversary and 20 years of car production, found its future intertwined with the industrial giant Škoda from Plzeň. This partnership sparked a powerful renaissance that transformed the landscape of automobile manufacturing in Czechoslovakia and beyond.
The Škoda-Laurin & Klement merger was born of resilience and ambition.
While Laurin & Klement employed just over a thousand workers, Škoda boasted a workforce of 30,000, yet its automotive production was limited.
The alliance enabled the infusion of advanced technologies and mass production techniques into the L&K legacy, while preserving its independent development spirit. Approval was granted on 12 September 1925, marking the formal birth of a new automotive chapter.
Following this union, Škoda introduced assembly line production, launched a series of innovative models, and solidified its position both domestically and internationally. Classic cars such as the Popular, Rapid, Favorit and Superb emerged, securing Škoda as Czechoslovakia’s market leader by 1936. This spirit of innovation persevered throughout the decades, weathering global economic turmoil, war, and political change.
Though Laurin & Klement ceased to exist as a standalone company, its name and philosophy remain deeply woven into Škoda’s DNA.
Since 1995, Laurin & Klement has been the hallmark of Škoda’s top trim levels — a symbol of craftsmanship and luxury honouring the founders’ dedication to innovation and precision.
Today, Škoda employs around 40,000 people worldwide, delivering nearly a million vehicles annually and proudly celebrating over 130 years of inspired mobility.
As Škoda looks to the future, the enduring legacy of Václav Laurin, Václav Klement, and Emil Škoda continues to inspire each generation — reminding us that great things are born from vision.