What started as a car manufacturing company in the 1930s, in what was then Czechoslovakia (today the Czech Republic) has transformed itself into a brand that is associated with luxury and reliability. Skôda cars carry a name that has won recognition in Europe and is now achieving worldwide recognition for its reliability and dynamism.

These vehicles are designed for efficiency and elegance, but also with an eye to the global market’s requirement for cars that are environmentally friendly. The brand has become synonymous with evolution where increased cost benefit is evident in the enjoyment of its customers.

Skôda cars are extremely safe and economical, thanks to the latest safety technology and equipment; they are available in both petrol and diesel versions which give them a huge advantage over the other sedans with which they compete.In Panama, Skôda Auto is part of the
Grupo Transporte y Equipo, S.A. (TESA), which has more than forty years experience on the automotive industry, and enjoys a reputation for quality. TESA has the largest Skôda showroom in America, one of the largest auto workshops in the whole of Central America and operations in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras through strategic partnerships in each country.

Skôda models successfully combine cutting edge technology with classic features, nowhere better expressed in its most recent creation the Roomster, whose interior is inspired by fighter aircraft of
yesteryear. Available in 85 and 105 bhp gasoline versions and with diesel engines of 70-80 and 105 bhp, this wagon stands out thanks to its spacious interior: its rear door allows exceptional access to the load space and its side windows let in a massive amount of illumination for the rear seats. It also comes with a glass roof and a highly compact and fluid “snout” type cabin. Both the steering wheel and the front seats are adjustable vertically and horizontally, guaranteeing the most comfortable driving position. The Varioflex ® seat adjustment system ensures maximum benefit from the interior space and passenger comfort.

The Octavia is probably the model that is most familiar to Panamanians. Skôda made sure that this car was designed with the enjoyment of the driver foremost in mind; nevertheless many people consider this to be the ideal family car thanks to its high level of safety equipment.

To drive this car is not just to be seduced by its performance on the road but also by the details that contribute to the comfort of the interior such as the ergonomic design of its interior, which puts everything you need at your fingertips. For the younger, more adventurous driver there is the Fabia. This is a practical, five door car, with a powerful and economic engine and modern, sporty lines. The Fabia’s four-star EuroNCAP test rating guarantees its safety and reliability. All of cars in the range come with electronic ABS (anti lock braking) systems with ESP (electronic stability program) available as an option on all models. Not for nothing have Skôda cars won many awards in different countries such as the Czech Republic where the Fabia won the Motor Journalist’s Club car of the year award in 2005. Also in 2005, the Skôda Octavia was recognized
as the best family compact in the British magazine What Car?, and as car of the year in Bulgaria.

The business that came into being more than seventy years ago is now building on its success. With effect from 2015 annual production at the factory will be increased to more than one million
vehicles. By the middle of 2007, the Shanghai Volkswagen Company will begin production of the Skôda Octavia under a license agreement with Chinese partners. The vehicle will be modified to meet the customers’ requirements, mainly in terms of its exterior design. This will be followed by the manufacture in China of the Fabia and Superb. Also with effect from next year, Skôda will be manufacturing the Octavia in Russia and in its factories in Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, India
and Kazakhstan.

Building on the successful launch of the Roomster, Skôda is planning the introduction of fur ther models. The improved Fabia will be launched next year followed by a new version of the Superb.
The new Yetti – the latest development in off road vehicles - planned for launch in 2008 will be one of the biggest hits of the year.

The history of a fighter

The story of Skôda cars took a step forward in 1930, when the then Skôda Group Car Manufacturing became the Skôda Car Industry Joint Stock Company. Later on, after Europe had come through the Great Depression, Skôda once again entered the international market with the
popular Skoda 420 model. The company was then taken over by the German group Hermann Goring-Werke and was involved in manufacturing military equipment. As well as making parts for weapons, the factory also produced various prototype off road vehicles. Heavy tractors were also
made in the Mlada Boleslav factory during the First World War.

At the end of the 1980s, as markets began to open up, Skôda decided to look for a strong foreign partner and in 1990, the Czech Government selected Volkswagen as its partner. One year later, Skôda began production as the fourth subsidiary of the group, along with the other brand names
of VW, Audi and SEAT, thereby becoming well known in the global automotive market. Today, Skôda Auto sells its cars in ninety countries, and its largest market is Germany. Skôda cars are sold in markets as far away as New Zealand and Chile, and of course, Panama, thanks to its distributor.