FOLLOWING 2025's 130-anniversary celebrations, Skoda Auto will mark a series of anniversaries in 2026, recognising key moments and model lines from both its early years and recent history - Skoda Motorsport turns 125, it is 35 years since the Czech carmaker joined the Volkswagen Group and the modern-era Octavia celebrates its 30birthday.

Skoda traces the start of its motorsport era to June 1901, when Narcis Podsednícek achieved a ‘moral victory' on a Laurin & Klement Slavia B motorcycle in the Paris-Berlin race, although it was not officially confirmed at the finish at the time.

This marked the beginning of motorsport activities in Mladá Boleslav, which have been an integral part of Skoda's DNA for 125 years. Now, the carmaker is celebrating global success with the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 rally car.

Thirty-five years on from the March 1991 agreement, the union of Skoda Auto and the Volkswagen Group is still the catalyst for Skoda's development from a regional market leader into a dynamically growing global player.

Group technology, purchasing scale and engineering expertise have since enabled a comprehensive expansion of the model portfolio and plant modernisation, while also boosting quality, safety and connectivity.

Now Skoda offers the broadest range in its history - spanning efficient combustion, hybrid and all-electric models, thus providing customers with freedom of choice.

Unveiled on September 1, 1996 as the first Skoda model developed entirely under the umbrella of the Volkswagen Group, the Octavia has been the brand's bestseller for three decades.

Each generation has incorporated innovative Volkswagen Group technologies to raise standards in safety, connectivity and efficiency.

The fourth generation continues the successful formula, combining modern design, outstanding space and practicality, efficiency and excellent value for money.

Other selected anniversaries in 2026