Skoda releases positive manufacturing figures

Manufacturer delivers over 298,000 cars between January and April 2013. ŠKODA market share in Czech Republic increases to 34.1% in April. Continuing the ŠKODA model campaign with the new ŠKODA Octavia Combi. 2013 to see 8 new or revised ŠKODA models. ŠKODA achieved worldwide sales of over 77,600 vehicles in April 2013; 4.6% down on April 2012. ŠKODA sales were also influenced by the start of production of the new Octavia and Octavia Combi back in April. Similarly, the continuing weakness of some European markets had a knock-on effect on sales figures.  Between January and April the Czech car manufacturer delivered over 298,000 vehicles worldwide; down 8% on the same period last year. “The new ŠKODA models have received a very positive response from our customers. Renewing and broadening our range of models will have a positive impact on ŠKODA sales for the rest of the year, even in some of the more difficult markets”, explains ŠKODA CEO, Prof. Dr. h. c. Winfried Vahland. “Due to the start of production of the new Octavia and Octavia Combi, we had anticipated that in the first half of this year, we would not achieve the same figures as this period last year”, Vahland continues, “In addition to that, some markets are still under pressure, which we cannot completely avoid either.” In light of the introduction of 8 new or revised models, the Czech car manufacturer remains positive about the year as a whole. In Western Europe, ŠKODA delivered 29,900 vehicles in April; 1.4% down on April 2012 with 30,400. The brand saw significant growth in the UK (+16.4%), Italy (+36.2%), Spain (+12.9%) and Portugal (+7.5%). ŠKODA also did very well in the Scandinavian countries; in Denmark sales grew by 151.7%, in Finland by 38% and in Sweden by 46.4%. In Eastern Europe, ŠKODA achieved sales of 10,500 units in April (April 2012: 12,300; -14.3%). In Russia, the Czechs sold 7,500 vehicles (April 2012: 8,800; -14.9%). Between January and April, a total of 26,100 units were delivered to Russian customers (Jan to Apr 2012: 28,000; -6.7%), making Russia once again ŠKODA’s third largest sales market worldwide behind China and Germany in the first 4 months of 2013. In Central Europe, ŠKODA reached a total market share of around 20% with 10,800 vehicles sold (April 2012: 11,600; -6.8%) On the Czech market ŠKODA delivered over 5,100 vehicles in April (April 2012: 5,500; -6.0%). ŠKODA’s market share in the generally week home market grew to 34.1% (April 2012: 32.7%). Once again, ŠKODA’s strongest market was China with almost 20,400 deliveries to customers in April. This represents a slight increase of 0.1% over April 2012. The Czechs sold 78,100 vehicles to Chinese customers in the first four months of the year (between January and April 2012: 79,600; -1.9%). The manufacturer expects further growth in China for the second half of the year, mainly due to the introduction of the new ŠKODA Rapid and the new import models; the ŠKODA Yeti and ŠKODA Superb Combi in the coming weeks.