Ales (automobile)

Ales was a proposed but ultimately unrealized automobile brand intended to be produced by the former Czechoslovakian automaker, Škoda, sometime in the early 1990s. The Ales project was conceived during a period of significant transition for Škoda, following the Velvet Revolution and the subsequent acquisition of the company by Volkswagen Group. The Ales was envisioned as a small, city car intended to compete in a burgeoning European market segment.

The project never progressed beyond the prototype stage. Development was hampered by various factors, including the restructuring of Škoda under Volkswagen ownership, a shift in design priorities, and a decision to focus on other models that were perceived as having greater market potential. While technical specifications for the Ales are scarce, it is believed to have been designed with a focus on fuel efficiency and affordability, reflecting the needs of the target consumer base. The name "Ales" itself is a Czech masculine given name. The cancellation of the Ales project represents a chapter in Škoda's history of navigating post-communist market transitions and adapting to the demands of a global automotive industry.