Škoda Octavia celebrates its 50th birthday
February 11, 2009 by Matt Brogan
In what is clearly a day for vehicular anniversaries, the Škoda Octavia is celebrating its 50th year of production with the nameplate dating back to 1959.
The Octavia name was also the first model to be developed internally in 1989 after Škoda became part of VW Group. The first concept car was made in 1992 with the vehicle then launched in 1996. An Octavia estate version was introduced two years later, followed by the Octavia 4×4.
In 2000 a new, modernised Octavia was introduced that is still manufactured in Mlada Boleslav today – the Octavia Tour. In February 2004 the company launched the second-generation Škoda Octavia, which was then facelifted in 2008.
Škoda, the Czech Republic’s biggest car manufacturer has sold over 2 million Škoda Octavias worldwide and currently offers a vast range of trims, including the sporty Škoda Octavia RS and the Octavia Scout.
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I had no idea Skoda was that old.
^It’s amazing what happens outside these shores.
The salesman, The skoda is actually over 110 years old..It’s only the octavia nameplate thats 50 years old…
Their current product is way better than the last time they were here, but I was totally blown away by the lugage compartment that was in the front of the vehicle but opened sideways on the late seventies models.
Shame it took 40 years before it was any good, but I do like the Octavia and that facelift brings it up to code a bit. It does look good.