Skoda Praises Top Retailers at Awards Ceremony

MILTON KEYNES, UNITED KINGDOM – February 11, 2010: Skoda UK announced its Retailers of the Year 2009 at a prestigious dinner and awards ceremony at the Hotel Intercontinental in Prague last week.

Retailer Principals from all over the country joined representatives from Škoda UK in the heart of Prague on the eve of the annual retailer conference to celebrate an excellent year, in which the brand recorded its best-ever market share of 1.9%.

Three overall Retailer of the Year Awards, which recognise excellent performance in all areas of the business, went to DM Keith, Leeds; Rainworth Škoda, Mansfield; and Simpsons Škoda, Great Yarmouth.

Dougal Keith of DM Keith, Leeds comments: “We’ve represented Škoda in Leeds since 1976 and it’s great to be recognised in this way. We’re really excited to have the award-winning Superb Estate in our showroom later this month and of course we’re looking forward to showing customers the eagerly-anticipated Fabia vRS that will go on sale in the summer.”

Andrew Aldis, Retailer Principal of Simpson’s Škoda was delighted to pick up the award for the second time in two years. “It’s down to looking after our customers,” he said. “It feels like we’re all very close to the customers - they are very loyal and love the products. The best cars for us in 2009 were the Yeti and the Fabia. We’re looking forward to the Superb Estate and to winning again in 2010!”

Other awards went to West Sussex Motors of Worthing who won the New Car Sales Retailer of the Year accolade; Benfield Motors of Newcastle who picked up the Used Car Sales Retailer of the Year award; and Alex Lawrie Škoda in Liverpool, winner of Aftersales Retailer of the Year.

Škoda is dedicated to supporting the efforts and successes of its retailers and uses the annual retailer awards to congratulate their achievements. Reinhard Fleger, Škoda Auto Board of Directors Member for Sales and Marketing, presented the awards and commented: “Last year Škoda UK achieved a record market share of 1.9% of which Škoda Auto are very proud.”

Škoda UK Director Robert Hazelwood commented:”These awards are our way of showing our retailers what a vital role they play in the success in the growth of our brand. Our thanks go to all of our retailers for their continued hard work and dedication.”

The three UK award winners will all be invited to the International Retailer of the Year awards held by ŠkodaAuto later this year.

The award-winning Superb Estate will be in Škoda showrooms across the UK when it goes on sale on 26 February 2010. Approved UK Škoda retailers can be found at http://www.skoda.co.uk/retailers.