Škoda Celebrates 20 Years Under VW Ownership

In the presence of high-ranking international representatives and personalities from politics and business, as well as representatives of the Volkswagen Group, the Czech automobile manufacturer Škoda is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its association with the Volkswagen Group today. Participants in the official ceremony at the Škoda’s parent plant in Mladá Boleslav will be, among others, Czech president Václav Klaus, the president of the Senate of the Czech Parliament Milan Štěch, and the former foreign minister of Germany Hans-Dietrich Genscher. Among the hosts will be the chairman of the supervisory board of Škoda and chairman of the board of the Volkswagen AG, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Škoda’s chairman of the board Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland, and the chairman of the union OS KOVO and chairman of the works council of Škoda, Jaroslav Povšík.

With the ceremony, Škoda acknowledges the special significance of the association with Volkswagen. “The merger was the decisive strategic turning point for the success and rebirth of Škoda during the last 20 years,” emphasizes Winfried Vahland. “Since 1991, Škoda has nearly quadrupled sales under the umbrella of the Volkswagen Group and expanded its international presence to more than 100 markets. A one-product manufacturer has turned into a seller with a broad product range. Our employees in particular have contributed to this development in an outstanding manner. The entire company and its employees are proud of this shared path and will continue their efforts in the coming years.”

Exactly 20 years ago, Škoda and the Volkswagen Group agreed upon a far-reaching cooperation. On April 16th, 1991, Škoda automobilova a.s. commenced its operations as an autonomous brand of the Volkswagen Group. This started an extremely successful new era in the long history of the company, which the manufacturer will honor appropriately within the course of the ceremony on April 15th.