This explains it. I come from a former Eastern Bloc country and Škoda was well established here well before the former regime overtook power after a short occupation by the Red army. Also, they were definitely not unknown in (parts of) Germany from very early on, although I guess not as prominent as in countries who didn't build their own cars, for obvious reasons.
I never knew that until very recently they had such a bad reputation in other Western countries. Thanks for clearing this up for me!
I never knew that until very recently they had such a bad reputation in other Western countries. Thanks for clearing this up for me!