Before Bohemia, there was a migration. Celts traveled to central Europe, crossing France and Germany before making their way to what is now the Czech Republic. The discovery of this group of settlers was kickstarted with the construction of a new highway in the Czech Republic, with the site of this discovery in Hradec Králové. Thousands of artifacts were found and discovered by teams of archeologists lead by Matouš Holas.
Affordability in Czechia's Aging Car Fleet
Cars are the future, from old stickshifts to automatic transmissions to more recently, electric vehicles (EV). Cars are evolving. What car we drive comes down to the market, the availability, our preference and more importantly, the affordability. An affordable car is often preferred over more expensive models because they are readily available and will not put you into further debt. This outlook is significantly impacting the vehicles that are found on the roads in the Czech Republic. According to Eurostat, Czechia hosts the seventh highest number of cars per 1000 inhabitants, however, the average age of the car in 2016 was 14.3 years. Used cars are favored over newer models, and in the Czech Republic, used cars are more expensive than surrounding countries such as Poland and Hungary; yet they are still more affordable than their new counterparts.
The Czech Republic is the fourth largest auto producer in Europe, and most sales are from exports. The graph shows how low domestic sales for auto production are compared to exports, which can be explained by rising prices. As car prices increase, people opt to buy a used car instead, resulting in sales for used cars exceeding sales for new cars.
Along with exporting new cars, Czechia imports many used cars with 51% of them being 10 years or older. Older cars do not comply with ecological and safety regulations, yet they are cheaper and more convenient for the public. At the same time, cars that meet the stricter emissions standards are more expensive to make, hence take longer to be available for the public.
2010 Škoda Octavia
Škoda Octavia is the best selling model in the Czech Republic.
The most common vehicles in the country are from Škoda Auto, formerly a Czech automobile manufacturer, but the rest of the common vehicles come from outside the country. Besides Škoda, the top brands found in Czechia are Hyundai (South Korea), Toyota (Japan), Volkswagen (Germany), and Kia (South Korea). From these vehicles, Volkswagen and Škoda are the most popular importing brands emphasizing the partnership between the Czech Republic and Germany.
The Czech Republic’s location in central Europe and neighboring Germany (its largest trading partner), has led the country to have a dependency on the automotive industry for a stable economy. New cars produced within the country are exported to consumers outside the country; the now used or secondhand car can then be imported to the Czech Republic. Also, because four of the five top car manufacturers in Czechia are foreigners, many of their used vehicles are imported back to Czech market and are readily available, thus increasing the amount of used cars in the country.
The government has had its fair share of attempts to minimize the number of older cars within the country. In 2009, the government imposed an ecological tax on vehicles produced before 2000, but the limit has not changed. The Environment Minister from 2014-2021, Richard Brabec, planned to introduce a fee to register used cars, but his plan was scrapped. The Ministry of Transport of Czech Republic has reported an increase in car registrations that equate to 3 cars for every 4 adults in the country. With stricter ecological regulations, prices only continue to rise for newer vehicles, making the alternative older car market more lucrative.
First Škoda electric vehicle to reach the market Škoda Enyaq in 2020.
The current automotive industry is challenging for a green transition towards electric vehicles (EVs) which may help eliminate or limit the sale of older cars from. EVs do not produce as many emissions as gasoline-powered vehicles, and with Europe’s CO2 emissions reduction targets, EVs will become more common. Although EVs' initial price is higher, their maintenance costs are significantly less than cars running on gasoline. This current change in the automotive industry may challenge those who find affordability in a car to opt to buy an EV and leave their older car behind. Even if they continue to choose to purchase a used car, EVs on Czechia’s top brand, Škoda, will only be five years old.
Written by Rigoberto Rivera
Sources:
“Czech Car Sales Surge, Škoda Dominates the Market.” Czech Daily. 5 August 2025. https://czechdaily.cz/czech-car-sales-surge-skoda-dominates-the-market/. Accessed 1 October 2025.
Fraňková, Ruth. “Imports of used cars in August exceeded sales of new vehicles.” Radio Prague International. 7 September 2021. https://english.radio.cz/imports-used-cars-august-exceeded-sales-new-vehicles-8727870. Accessed 30 September 2025.
Fraňková, Ruth. “Second car headache faces Czech ministries.” Radio Prague International. 23 August 2017. https://english.radio.cz/second-car-headache-faces-czech-ministries-8183995. Accessed 30 September 2025.
International Monetary Fund. European Dept. “The Role of the Auto Industry in the Czech Republic’s Economy.” Czech Republic: Selected Issues. Volume 2025: Issue 036. 4 February 2025. https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2025/036/article-A002-en.xml?ArticleTabs=fulltext. Accessed 30 September 2025.
Miharia, Aashna. “As more Czechs rely on driving, their cars are getting older.” Radio Prague International. 30 September 2025. https://english.radio.cz/more-czechs-rely-driving-their-cars-are-getting-older-8864211. Accessed 30 September 2025.
“Passenger cars per 1000 inhabitants reached 560 in 2022.” Eurostat. 17 January 2024. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20240117-1. Accessed 30 September 2025.
Jablonec Costume Jewelry and Glass Beads throughout History
The history of glass bead and jewelry production in the historic city of Jablonec spans centuries, from 1720s to now. Of course, bead making has always been possible for millennia, since 1600 BCE. By the 1900s, the city became a powerhouse of jewelry and glass bead production and artistry, though by this time they also faced several challenges, which lasted into the mid-1900s.
Prague’s Ring Road and its discoveries
The future of travel in Prague integrates environmental consciousness, quietness, efficiency, and quality, all through the Ring Road, intended to be complete in two years. As work on the road progresses, new discoveries are made, such as axes, hammers, and corkscrews from the Neolithic era and kitchen ceramics, iron and bronze tools, and glass beads from the Hallstatt era, for example. Their discoveries come from one of the greatest archeological efforts seen in the Czech Republic. Even now, and perhaps in the far future, old life is uncovered in preparation for the Ring Road’s finished construction.
Ferdinand I's Embattled ascension to Holy Roman Emperor
After the death of Louie II, the Kingdom of Bohemia needed a new king, of which Ferdinand I took up the mantle. As the King of Bohemia, he inherited many issues surrounding the kingdom, including the encroaching Ottoman Empire, the political tug of war between the Bohemian diet members, and the religious strife between Protestants and Catholics. During his time, Ferdinand I delicately wielded his influence and power as the King of Bohemia, eventually becoming the Holy Roman Emperor.
Rock ‘n’ Roll in Communist Czechoslovakia
Rock ‘n’ roll was a major vehicle for great change in Czechoslovakia. At first, it was restricted by the state to only be Czech covers of famous Western singers and bands, done by Czech stars such as Karel Gott and Jiří Korn, and the public could not buy, sell, or distribute any Western music album. Bands like The Plastic People of the Universe and Katapult, and song artists, opposed the Communist regime by breaking their rules and directly speaking out against them, respectively. The trouble they caused for their government soon turned into action and protests.
Remains of the Přemyslid dynasty uncovered in Olomouc
The Přemyslid dynasty was a powerful and influential royal family in Bohemia that ruled between the late 9th and early 14th century. The remains of several members, however, are of those who lived and died between the 11th and early 13th century. After the discovery of the family’s bodies in the storeroom of St. Stephen in 2018, researchers used DNA and radiocarbon dating to determine that those buried are indeed the members of the Přemyslid family.
The Diary of Věrka Kohnová
Věrka Kohnová was a young Czech girl who sadly lived the last of her life in fear. During this time, she kept a diary she wrote into, giving future readers into a glimpse into the life of Czechoslovakians under Nazism, similar to how Anne Frank kept and wrote in her diary. One of her most poignant thoughts were about whether Jews like her would ever see their stuff or return to their old lives again. It was in 2006 that her diary was published.
An AI-Powered Partner: Aircraft Innovation In the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has a long and successful relationship with the concept of aircraft, the nation’s people honing their knowledge and understand since the late 1920s. Now, software that utilizes machine learning reads aircraft pilots faces to determine their condition for increased safety. Research for this technology is done in Brno based on the DARWIN initiative, funded by Honeywell.
Gabriela Jílková: Czech Race Car Driver
Bedřich Smetana and the Prague Spring International Music Festival
The Prague Spring International Music Festival (not related to the 1968 Prague Spring) is a festival established by the Czech Philharmonic Rafael KubelÍk to commemorate the death of Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. Every opening night for the last 80 years, Smetana’s national masterpiece Má Vlast is played by a different orchestra. Smetana’s music life began in his youth, developed further by collaboration with one of his inspirations, Liszt. This 2025, Semyon Bychkov will conduct the next opening.
A (Nationalist) Puppet on a String
Puppeteering in Bohemia preserved the Czech culture and language, preventing both from being wiped out by Hapsburgs who pushed for the Germanization of the Czech lands. Puppetry’s been practiced in Bohemia for centuries, beginning in the 16th century, used for religious and folk ceremonies. Not only has Czech puppeteering protected Czech identity in during the Hapsburg era, but also into the occupation of Czechoslovakia by the Nazis.
Liberation of Plzeň, České Budějovice, and Karlovy Vary
Between May 7 and 8 in 1945, the Nazis surrendered to the Allied forces in Plzeň, České Budějovice, and Karlovy Vary. It took weeks of fighting and many casualties to effectively force a surrender from the German High Command. It was through the collaboration of the Soviet and US forces that the liberation was able to take place. Much celebration, the day of and after, was abound.
Czech Dolls Mini-Exhibit
An important staple of Czech and Slovak culture, kroj-wearing dolls are popular toys and figures that many generations have played with and cherished. These dolls are made with a variety of quirks and features, such as closing their eyes while in a lying position or having rosier cheeks. One company, Lidova Tvorba Uhersky Brod, heavily promoted their dolls all over Slovakia, Europe, and the world, winning accolades for their efforts and remaining one of the best-known doll makers in Slovakia. These historical dolls are on display in the Czech Center Museum Houston.
Eurovision 2025
Although Eurovision started as an experiment in broadcasting, it is now a show-stopping competition that unites Europe. The Central European nations of Czechia and Slovakia have a relatively short, yet important history with Eurovision. While Czechia’s the only of the two still competing, this 2025, their next entry is a Slovak named Adonxs, an accomplished artist of many skills.
Intervision
Intervision began as the Eastern bloc alternative to Eurovision, initiated by Czechoslovakia’s national television broadcaster. Though the initial contest lasted four years, it was abruptly ended by “Normalization” in Czechoslovakia. The Intervision concept gets picked up by Poland’s broadcaster for their Sopot International Festival, where it lasts four more years before being interrupted by political upheaval, yet again. Though the future of Intervision is uncertain, its past is worth a look for the intersection between art and politics.
The Plastic People of the Universe: How One Band Sparked a Revolution
The fall of Communism in Czechoslovakia begins with a rock that rolls, pushed by the rock n’ roll group the Plastic People of the Universe (PPU). After the brief Prague Spring, the group was started by the bassist, Milan “Mejla” Hlavsa. During the Normalization period, they continued to find various ways of resisting the new administration before being jailed, which inspired further resistance and eventually lead Czechoslovakia out of the hands of the Soviet regime.
Anny Ondra: Starlet of the Silver Screen
The Czech Bedtime Routine: Večerniček
Večerniček is a late-night children’s program broadcasted in Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. With generations of children, it has immense cultural and nostalgic value. This program has made stars out of many of the cartoons, including the famous mole, Krtek. Due to the timeslot it would broadcast on, Večerniček became a staple of the bedtime routine.
History of Czech Poetry Works
The history of Czech poetry goes as far back as the 9th century. It begins with the works of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who translated texts in the bible from Greek to Old Church Slavic, a language in which the first Czech poems were written. Since then, Czech poetry continued to flourish, even when the chosen languages of the Czechs continued to face challenges throughout the centuries. The apparent culmination of Czech poetic culture is of a poem, Máj, written by Karel Hynek Mácha.