ŠKODA 2013: Success with new models

Mladá Boleslav, 10th January 2014 - Following the model launches in the first six months, ŠKODA saw significant growth later in the year, and recently achieved the best ever December for ŠKODA.

In the last month of the year, the company delivered 70,000 vehicles to customers, which is an increase of 5.8% over the previous December-record, set in 2012. In the years ahead, ŠKODA plans to grow further. To achieve this continued growth, the manufacturer will be introducing a new or revised model on average every six months until 2016.

“ŠKODA has demonstrated its strength this year. Despite the above-average number of production start-ups and fierce headwinds from some markets, we achieved the second-best sales year in corporate history - This is an excellent result,” says ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “2013 was a record year with more new ŠKODA models than ever before. Eight new or completely revised models show the power of the ŠKODA brand. The winged arrow is shining, and our new cars are being very well received. Our attractrive model range, good flow of incoming orders and increasingly bright future on the European automotive markets make us confident for 2014.”

2013 - the third year of the ŠKODA growth strategy - was both a successful and an intense year for the Czech carmaker. Eight new or revised models, twelve international production start-ups, expansion of capacity in the Czech Republic, as well as in the growth markets of China and Russia, added to this the crisis in some markets: “2013 was really quite a year!” says Dr. Vahland. After the first half of the year had been characterised by the difficult market situation in Europe, as well as the production start-ups and the associated lower production volumes, ŠKODA was back on track in the second half of the year. With the full availability of the new models, sales increased significantly each month from September onwards. “Our model campaign is now showing its full strength. We are growing strongly and expanding our market shares continuously,” says Werner Eichhorn, ŠKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Milton Keynes, 7th January 2014 - The annual total was a massive 66,081 units – up from 53,602 in 2012. Growth of 23.3% means a fourth successive record year for the brand.

With overall UK new car registrations up 10.8%, ŠKODA has outperformed the market yet again. This latest sales success means an increase of around 30,000 ŠKODA registrations in just four years.

Pushing through the 60,000 barrier for the first time in its history has given ŠKODA a UK market share of 2.9%, which is up from 2.6% in 2012.

December itself was also a huge success for ŠKODA as customers rushed to treat themselves to a great value-for-money Christmas present. Registrations for the month reached 5,286, compared with 3,199 for the same period in 2012. Market share during the same period rose to 3.5% - a record for the Czech manufacturer.

Every model in the ŠKODA range played its part in the success of 2013. The Fabia was the Czech brand’s most popular car, accounting for around 21,000 registrations, followed by Octavia and then Yeti.

Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK, commented: “Our 2013 registrations were an outstanding achievement and testament to the hard work of our excellent retailers and partners. Growth of 23.3% as well as four years of record registrations makes us one of the UK’s fastest growing brands. I would like to welcome all of our new customers to the ŠKODA family. We’re looking forward to continued growth in 2014, as we launch yet more new cars.”

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk