Škoda Grows 26.4 Percent in January

MLADA BOLESLAV, Czech Republic - A strong start into the new year for Škoda Auto: with 68,400 units, the Czech manufacturer’s sales rose 26.4 percent in January of 2011 when compared to the previous year (January 2010: 54,100 sold units). Thus, the brand remains on its clear growth path in the new year. Especially the model series Fabia (plus 30.9 percent) and Superb (plus 80.3 percent) were in high demand at the beginning of the year. The company also recorded high double-digit increases in the growth regions of China, India, and Russia.

“Škoda consistently and emphatically continues on its course in 2011 as well,” explained Jürgen Stackmann, the Škoda board member for sales and marketing. “We are focusing on a clear goal and want to at least double our sales until the year 2018. The first month of the year clearly showed that we remain well on our way in 2011, too. Our performance in the growth regions continues to be above average. Particularly positive is the good performance of the Fabia, which has won many new customers worldwide. In India, every second Škoda sold was a Fabia.”

Škoda remains as the clear market leader in the Czech Republic. In its home market, the company sold a total of 4,200 vehicles (plus 1.2 percent compared to January 2010). An impressive sales plus of 234.7 percent was recorded by the company’s flagship, the Superb Combi, with more than 400 units sold in the Czech Republic. Sales of the Octavia rose 37.3 percent, those of the Octavia Combi 37.0 percent.

In some of the markets in Central and Eastern Europe, Škoda recorded double-digit increases. In Hungary, sales of the brand rose 71.1 percent, while the figure was 59.1 percent in Croatia. In Slovakia, Škoda leads the car registration statistics with around 1,000 vehicles and a market share of 22.4 percent (January 2010: 15.6 percent).

In the competitive Western European markets (without Germany), Škoda was also able to show strong growth. In this region, sales rose 22.4 percent to 19,200 units (January 2010: 15,700 percent). In the Netherlands, the brand's sales rose almost six-fold to more than 3,000 vehicles (January 2010: 600 units). Significant increases were also achieved in Belgium (plus 120.2 percent), Sweden (plus 35.6 percent), Ireland (plus 31.4 percent), and Austria (plus 15.4 percent). Still, the strongest growth impulses in January were recorded by the markets of China, India, and Russia. In China, the largest foreign market of the brand, sales increased 40.0 percent, reaching 20,500 units. In Russia, the manufacturer was able to almost double sales with 3,400 sold vehicles (January 2010: 1,800 units; plus 83.6 percent). In India, Škoda achieved a plus of 60.8 percent and 2,800 sold vehicles.

Other individual markets with a very positive development in January 2011 were Turkey with more than 300 percent, Israel with 75.7 percent, and Australia with 25.0 percent growth for the brand.

Deliveries to customers in January 2011: (Škoda models in comparison with January 2010): Octavia (29,800 vehicles / plus 22.2 percent), Fabia (20,000 vehicles / plus 30.9 percent), Superb (10,700 vehicles / plus 80.3 percent), Yeti (4,600 vehicles / plus 27.3 percent), Roomster (2,100 vehicles / minus 8.5 percent), Octavia Tour (1.100 vehicles / minus 56.6 percent).