A NEW showroom for Skoda, cars from the Czech Republic automobile manufacturer, was opened in Bahrain with a stunning light and dance show … and a cracking crème brulee on the dessert trolley too.

The store was inaugurated by German Ambassador Kai Boeckmann along with Behbehani Brothers directors Abdul Majeed Sherazi and Abdulghani Behbehani and group general manager Steven Hill.

Four Skoda models – Fabia, Octavia, Superb and the top-of-the-line seven-seater SUV, the Kodiaq – were also unveiled during the event.

The new showroom located in Al Qaryah, Sitra on the Shaikh Jaber Al Sabah highway can showcase up to 10 cars and will present the range of Skoda vehicles. Behbehani Brothers is the official dealer for Skoda vehicles 

Guests at the opening event were also shown a short, entertaining video highlighting the marque’s fascinating history.

Skoda, is a Czech automobile manufacturer founded in 1895 by Václav Laurin and Václav Klement.

The story of founding the Laurin & Klement Company starts with the day when Klement bought a bicycle made by the German company. Upon finding a problem with it Klement sent a letter in the Czech language to the company, requesting repair.

The company replied: "If you want an answer from us, we ask for your messages in a language we understand".

Klement was so indignant that he decided, together with Laurin, to start repairing bicycles themselves.

Later in 1895, propelled by Klement's modesty, excellent people skills and business acumen, together with Laurin's technical expertise, the two decided to found the company, producing their own bicycles.

In 1899 they went on to produce motorcycles which were an immediate success not only at home but also abroad, even in sport competitions. Soon these motorcycles became so successful that the company decided to stop bicycle production in order to devote itself fully to motorcycles.

In 1905 the company started making cars and in 1907 it expanded, registered on the stock exchange, and stopped motorcycle production.

In 1925 Laurin & Klement was acquired by the industrial conglomerate Skoda Works, which itself became state owned in 1948. After 1991 it was gradually privatised and in 2000 Skoda became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group.

Skoda automobiles are sold in more than 100 countries and in 2018, total global sales reached 1.25 million. As of 2017, Skoda's profit margin was the second highest of all VW Group brands after Porsche.

The famous winged arrow with three feathers still forms the Skoda logo today. The arrow represents speed, the wings progress and freedom, the eye precision and the circle unity, completeness, world and harmony.

The story goes that, on his travels through the US, Emil Skoda, the Czech founder of Skoda Works, had once been so taken with a Native American's feathered headdress that he had returned to Pilsen with a relief image which inspired the logo.