- Škoda Auto is celebrating 130 years of history with a new flagship exhibition at the Škoda Museum
- Key milestones, landmark models and motorsport successes are showcased in authentic factory spaces dating from the early 20th century
- Following an extensive renovation, the open-top Laurin & Klement Si from 1918 will be unveiled
Škoda Auto is entering the 130th year of its rich history. Opening of an extensive exhibition at the Škoda Museum brings the company’s major milestones and many fascinating stories to life. The exhibition features dozens of cars, a selection of the company’s first motorcycles and bicycles, and an interactive map charting the development of the main plant. It also highlights 125 years of engine development and production in Mladá Boleslav. A special highlight awaits visitors on Friday 16 May 2025 during Mladá Boleslav Museum Night.
A journey through time
For 130 years, Škoda is continuously developing and reinventing itself with a strong customer focus. Mladá Boleslav has been producing means of personal transport since 1895, when Laurin & Klement first began operations. The new exhibition at the Škoda Museum captures the spirit of courage, creativity and skill shown by generations of makers of high-quality bicycles, motorcycles and pioneering automobiles, exported to all inhabited continents.
Set in authentic factory spaces dating from before the First World War, the exhibition traces key milestones, stages of progress, landmark models and motorsport successes. It also illustrates the Czech carmaker’s ability to overcome challenging political and economic conditions, to weather both local setbacks and global crises – and to emerge stronger.
Informative text and image panels frame a host of striking vehicles exhibits, ranging from the first Slavia bicycle and the L&K B motorcycle to a variety of vehicles, culminating in the latest all-electric Škoda Elroq. A four-tier display shelf presents five vehicles per level, tracing the era of Laurin & Klement cars, Škoda’s expansion in the 1930s and the post-war years. It also reflects the brand’s integration into the Volkswagen Group, enabling significant investments, technology transfer, and access to global markets – transforming Škoda from a regional market leader into a competitive global automaker. A dedicated section celebrates the remarkable 125-year tradition of engine development and production in Mladá Boleslav, while an interactive map charts the growth of the local plant between 1895 and 2025.
Other manufacturing and assembly sites are also highlighted. Among the exhibits are the trophies created by Škoda Auto’s designers for the Tour de France winners and the Enyaq used by the director of the world-famous cycling race. A children’s corner will inspire future designers and engineers, while the whole family can enjoy the photo point with the company’s legendary founder Václav Klement and racing pioneer Václav Vondřich, nicknamed the ‘travelling blacksmith’. The Škoda 130th anniversary exhibition will be open to the public until 11 January 2026.
Debut after renovation: L&K Si (1918)
It is not only the temporary exhibitions and rich cultural programme that encourage visitors to return to the Škoda Museum, but also the frequent updates to the permanent collection. Following an extensive renovation, visitors can now see a newly restored representative of the most popular Laurin & Klement model series: the open-top L&K Si from 1918. This particular vehicle was purchased during the First Republic era by August G. Tham, an established badge manufacturer from Jablonec nad Nisou.
Mladá Boleslav Museum Night
The traditional Mladá Boleslav Museum Night is always a popular event, and this year it will be dedicated to celebrating 130 years of Škoda Auto. It will take place on Friday 16 May 2025 from 18:00 to 23:00, with free entry for all. Visitors can look forward to guided tours of the Škoda Museum (at 18:30 and 21:00) and the depository (at 19:00 and 21:30). Night-time tours of the production halls are also available for visitors aged 10 and over.
