Václav Klement

Václav Klement ( born October 16, 1868 in Velvary; † August 12, 1938 in Mladá Boleslav ) was a Czech industrialist, together with Václav Laurin he was the founder of the automobile manufacturer company Laurin & Klement (today Škoda Auto ).

The technically enthusiastic Czech bookseller bought in 1894 a bicycle. When this had to be repaired, he turned to the Dresdner manufacturer Seidel & Naumann. He wrote a letter in his native language to the Czech manufacturer. This answered him, "If you want to have an answer from us, we ask for your message in a language understandable to us." Klement was it so angry that he decided summarily, the future itself produce together with Václav Laurin bicycles.

Both founded in Mladá Boleslav a bicycle factory called L & K ( Laurin & Klement ). These bikes sold very well. Since 1899 Laurin and Klement presented Motorcycles ago. Increased sales and improve our services recorded from this company. In 1905, L & K presented then also manufactures automobiles. In 1925 it merged with the engineering group based in Škoda Plzeň, the vehicle Laurin & Klement went out and the production was henceforth under the name Škoda. The carmaker exists today under the name Škoda Auto is one of the leading companies in the Czech Republic.