Few manufacturers have demonstrated as much versatility since their founding as Laurin.
The story began in December 1895 when two amateur cyclists, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, began to manufacture their own bicycles, called Slavia. A few years later, in 1899, Laurin
These motorcycles achieved the first victories in international competitions, building a good reputation for their company. At the turn of the century, the company took another step and established itself as an automobile manufacturer. The first model was called Voiturette A (7 HP and 40 km/h) and enjoyed great commercial success in its two years of existence, from 1905 to 1907.
The first major war conflict of the 20th century conditioned the brand’s activity during the following years. The First World War forced Laurin and Klement to manufacture their first trucks, with the aim of supplying their army. The war ended, but the construction of transport vehicles continued after the war period.
It was then that Skoda’s first electric vehicle emerged. And yes, Skoda’s first electric vehicle was not the Enyaq iV, it was a light truck designed for the distribution of beer in the late 1930s. We have not gone crazy, it was to deliver beer, always a product of “first necessity”, at least for fans of this drink.
The fuel shortage led Skoda to develop this truck that was equipped with rechargeable lead acid batteries and which was used for several years for such an important task. In fact, it could transport up to three tons of this product.
Years later, due to the Second World War and already under the name of Skoda, the company was forcibly integrated into the economy of the Third Reich, directing its production to the military industry. In this way, the company became a monopoly in the automotive sector in Czechoslovakia.
Skoda continued to manufacture new trucks such as the Skoda 256, a light truck with a load capacity of 2,500 kilos. Benefiting from the improvements it had in its technical design, this model achieved notable commercial success, leading the market of its time.
Starting in the 1940s, Skoda dedicated itself to the manufacture of medium-tonnage trucks. The most popular models were the 706 series, which in different configurations would remain on the market until production ceased in 1974.
The first 706s were trucks with a load capacity of 8 tons and had a prominent nose and later, in the late 1950s, they were replaced by modern versions with an advanced cabin that housed two rows of seats inside.
During those fifties Skoda decided to focus its activity on the production of cars and, finally, its trucks changed their name to be called Liaz. In the early 1960s, the Skoda 998, a 4×4 all-terrain vehicle known as the Agromobil, was developed, followed shortly after by the Skoda 990. However, only a few prototypes were built and the project was eventually scrapped.
The Liaz brand remained the sole truck division until the end of the 1980s, when Skoda became a majority shareholder and once again implemented its name on trucks, this time under the name Skoda-Liaz.
