For The First Time Ever, Skoda Increases Worldwide Deliveries By July To More Than 500,000 Vehicles

BOTANY, AUSTRALIA – Aug 12, 2011: In the first seven months of the year, the Skoda brand has delivered 523,200 vehicles worldwide (January – July 2010: 437,300 vehicles). Thus, the Czech automobile manufacturer was able to increase its sales 19.7 percent in comparison to the previous year and for the first time ever delivered more than 500,000 vehicles by July. At the same time, Škoda achieved a new record for the month of July with 68,500 sold units (last year: 58,500).

“Škoda remains in the fast lane,” explained the Škoda board member for sales and marketing, Jürgen Stackmann. “Growth regions such as China, India, or even Russia developed brilliantly in July thanks to two-digit growth rates for the ŠKODA brand. And we are also continuously recording high sales numbers with our attractive model range in the established markets of Western and Eastern Europe.”

In its Czech home, Škoda grew better than the overall market, recording an increase of 9.6 percent. Overall, 4,400 vehicles were delivered to customers there.

The brand also recorded a clear plus in other countries of Central and Eastern Europe in July: In the Ukraine, sales rose 54.8 percent. Slovenia grew 9.3 percent, Poland 3.7 percent, and Croatia 4.0 percent.

Sales figures in Western Europe also developed positively. With a plus of 24.0 percent, the Czech automobile manufacturer reached a sales volume of 27,200 units there. In this context, high rates of increase were reported by the Netherlands with a plus of 53.2 percent and Austria with a plus of 36.8 percent. On the German market, ŠKODA was able to increase its market share as the most popular import brand. In Belgium, sales rose 23.8 percent, in France it was 22.6 percent, and in Switzerland 13.2 percent.

The markets in China, India, and Russia grew at high speed. In China, Škoda deliveries increased 15.4 percent to 17,800 units in July. In Russia, Škoda achieved the third best monthly result with 6,100 deliveries and a plus of 22.7 percent. In India, Škoda has outpaced last year’s sales by 70.1 percent with 2,300 units sold to date. In doing so, about two thirds of Indian customers decided on the Fabia.

In other markets outside of Europe, Škoda reported good results as well. In Australia, the brand reached the second-best monthly sales record in July.