Škoda Auto Posts Record Deliveries in 1H2012

Škoda set a new sales record in the first half of 2012 as worldwide deliveries to customers increased by 8.4 per cent to more than 493,000 units from January through June (1st half of 2011: 454,700). At the same time, the brand posted its best ever deliveries figure for June at 87,400 cars (June 2011: 81,300) and its second-best monthly figure ever. The brand outpaced the market in June 2012 and in the first half of 2012 in almost all sales regions.

Škoda made a strong showing in the markets in Western Europe, some of them marked by significant decline. As early forecasts showed the overall market shrank by almost five per cent in June, Škoda slightly increased sales by 1.2 per cent to 35,600 units (June 2011: 35,100). The largest increases in June were in the markets of Switzerland (up 31.7 per cent), Austria (15.5 per cent), Germany (10.5 per cent) and Great Britain (9.8 per cent).

At 21.2 per cent, Škoda posted strong double-digit growth in Eastern Europe in June 2012. The brand sold almost 12,600 cars as against around 10,400 in June of last year. Russia retained its rank as the region’s strongest market, with Škoda deliveries there rising 36 per cent to a new monthly high of almost 9,600. Škoda’s growth was almost triple that of the overall market, which grew an estimated 13.7 per cent.

Škoda’s deliveries were also up in Eastern Central Europe in June, rising 2.7 per cent to almost 11,700 (June 2011: 11,400).

Škoda also continued on its growth course in China, the brand’s largest market. Deliveries to Chinese customers rose by 5.5 per cent to 20,100 (June 2011: 19,100) in June 2012.

Sales advanced briskly in India, with Škoda posting a 39.3 per cent increase to just under 3,200, strongly outperforming the market which is estimated to have grown by 15.4 per cent. The brand also outperformed the market across the entire first half of the year as sales rose 40.1 per cent year on year, reaching a total of around 20,500 (January-June 2011: 14,600).

Škoda also posted gains in other markets in June 2012 as sales rose 73.7 per cent to almost 1,300 units in Israel. Deliveries in Turkey were up 29.3 per cent, topping 800 units. In Australia, the brand advanced by 87 per cent to far more than 400 units sold.