Skoda Auto's sales over the first six months have grown by 17.9% as compared with last year

MLADA BOLESLAV – July 16, 2008: Škoda Auto's sales over the first six months of 2008 have grown by 17.9% as compared with last year, reaching 366,686 vehicles in total. Škoda has dramatically increased the number of vehicles sold and delivered in Eastern Europe (63,684 vehicles; +40.1%), China (31,566 vehicles; sales started in June 2007) and India (9,556 vehicles; +61.6%).

The most dynamic markets in Eastern Europe are Russia (23,950 vehicles; +83.7%) and the Ukraine (15,964 vehicles; +51.2%)

In Western Europe, Škoda Auto has managed to increase its market share to 2.27% (altogether 177,101 vehicles; +2.1%). With 64,589 newly registered cars, Škoda has become the second biggest importer to Germany.

The best selling model is the Škoda Octavia. The sales figure has grown by 27.1%, reaching 186,487 vehicles, of which 41,197 (+12.6 %) the still attractive Škoda Octavia Tour.

Despite the generation swap of the Fabia Combi and the end of production of the sedan models, the sales of Škoda's smallest model line, the Škoda Fabia, grew by 14.5% as compared with the same period of 2007, reaching 136,985 vehicles in total.

With 33,789 vehicles sold over the first six months of 2008, the Company has also reinforced the position of the Škoda Roomster (+0.8% as compared with 2007). Furthermore, Škoda has already sold 1,771 new-generation Superbs since the recent launch of this model.