Škoda Grows 16.8 per cent in First Nine Months of 2011

MLADÁ BOLESLAV, CZECH REPUBLIC – October 17, 2011: In the first nine months of 2011, Škoda increased its worldwide sales by 16.8 per cent compared to last year. Deliveries in January through September rose to a total of 664,800 units (January – September 2010: 569,000 vehicles). With 81,200 cars sold, the brand set a new record for September (last year: 75,800) and recorded the third best sales result in the company’s history (behind March 2011 and June 2011).

“Škoda is continuing on the fast track this year,” explains Jürgen Stackmann, board member for Sales and Marketing. “Our growth trend is in good shape. We are growing in all regions, and in 2011 we will exceed the 800,000 mark in the number of cars sold for the first time. Our model initiative will play a part in Škoda further developing its position on the markets in the coming years. With the Citigo compact car and the Rapid made in India, we have already introduced the first two new models. As a result, Škoda will tap into new customer segments.”

On the domestic Czech market, Škoda sold 5,100 vehicles in September. This means that every third Czech customer chose a car sporting the Winged Arrow.

In other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the brand was able to further strengthen its position in the past month. Sales in Croatia increased by 85.9 per cent, in Romania by 9.6 per cent, in Hungary by 8.9 per cent and in Ukraine by 7.1 per cent.

In Western Europe, Škoda sales grew by 2.6 per cent to 35,200 vehicles in September. Three markets set all-time records: Sales in Great Britain rose to 7,200 vehicles (up 33.2 per cent). Switzerland reported an increase of 27.9 per cent (1,700 sales), and Norway was up 27.7 per cent (700 vehicles).

ŠKODA registered continued strong momentum with high rates of growth in the emerging regions of Russia, India and China. In Russia and India, Škoda sold more vehicles by the end of September than it had in all of 2010. Deliveries in Russia rose by 63.1 per cent to 6,500 in September, resulting in the brand’s second best month ever. Sales in India grew by 37.5 per cent to 2,200 units in September. In China the carmaker achieved a new sales record with 21,100 vehicles (+ 9.8 per cent) delivered.

Even on additional markets outside of Europe, all signals point to growth for ŠKODA. With a 125.1 percent increase in Australia, September saw the brand more than double its sales.

Deliveries to customers in September 2011 (Škoda models compared to September 2010): Octavia (35,300 vehicles/up 11.8 per cent), Fabia (24,300 vehicles/up 3.6 per cent), Superb (10,300 vehicles/up 2.9 per cent), Yeti (6,500 vehicles/up 20.4 per cent), Roomster (3,600 vehicles/up 7.5 per cent).