Production 1934–1944
1946 | Successor Škoda 1101 | |
 | ||
Manufacturer ASAP, subsidiary of Škoda Works Assembly Mladá Boleslav, Czechoslovakia | ||
Škoda Popular was a 1930s Czechoslovak small family car made by Škoda. It was the company's most affordable car at the time.
Background
Škoda introduced a new line of cars in 1930s which significantly differed from its previous products. A new design of chassis with backbone tube and all-around independent suspension was developed under the leadership of chief engineer Vladimír Matouš and derived from the one introduced by Hans Ledwinka in Tatra. First used on model Škoda 420 Standard in 1933, it aimed at solving insufficient torsional stiffness of the ladder frame.
The new design of chassis became the basis for models Popular (845-1,089 cc), Rapid (1165-1766 cc), Favorit (1802-2091 cc) and Škoda Superb (2,5-4 L). While in 1933 Škoda had 14% share of the Czechoslovak car market and third position behind Praga and Tatra, the new line made it a market leader by 1936, with 39% share in 1938.