
Skoda Auto, more commonly known as Skoda, is an automobile manufacturer based in the Czech Republic. Skoda became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group in 2000, positioned as the entry brand to the group. Its total global sales reached 939,200 cars in 2012.
Skoda Works was established as an arms manufacturer in 1859 and Skoda Auto (and its predecessors) is one of five oldest companies that begun producing cars and has an unbroken history (together with Tatra, Daimler, Opel and Peugeot).