ŠKODA: 220,400 Deliveries in the First Quarter of 2013

ŠKODA delivered 83,800 vehicles worldwide in March, 2013; 12% down on March 2012 (95,200). From January to March, 2013, the number of deliveries totalled 220,400 (2012 first quarter: 242,700) – down 9.2%. ŠKODA sales were influenced, in the first quarter, mainly due to the model changeover and the start of production of the ŠKODA Octavia. The weak state in most European automobile markets is still being felt.

“The developments in the first quarter of 2013 correspond to our expectations in light of the ŠKODA Octavia model changeover”, explains ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h. c. Winfried Vahland. The production ramp-up phase and the launch of the most important ŠKODA series are running successfully. He continues, “We remain basically confident about the year as a whole in spite of the fairly difficult market conditions”. Alongside the hatchback, three other versions of the Octavia will have been launched by summer: the Combi, Combi 4×4 and the Octavia RS. Additionally, four new or completely redesigned models are to be launched in the second half of the year.

Despite an overall decline in the Western European market, ŠKODA outperformed the market as a whole, both in March and in the first quarter of 2013. The brand delivered approximately 38,300 vehicles in March (March 2012: 41,500; -7.7%), in the first quarter with 90,400 vehicles (2012: 98,500; -8.3%). As of 31 March, the market share in Western Europe grew to almost 3.1%. In Germany, ŠKODA’s second largest market globally, ŠKODA is expanding its position as the largest importer despite decline of deliveries by 9.8% with 13,100 deliveries in March (March 2012: 14,500). In March, the number of deliveries in the UK increased by 21.4% to over 10,000 cars (March 2012: 8,300). The brand is gaining momentum in Denmark where sales were up by 155.4%, in March, to more than 1,200 vehicles.

In Eastern Europe, ŠKODA sold more than 10,300 cars in March (March 2012: 11,600; -11.3 %). The number of deliveries totalled around 25,200 in the first quarter (January to March 2012: 28,300; -10.9 %). In Russia, ŠKODA delivered 7,700 vehicles in March (March 2012: 8,100; -5.4 %). Our Russian customers received over 18,600 vehicles between January and March (2012 first quarter: 19,200; -2.9 %).

In Central Europe, ŠKODA outperformed the generally weak market in March. The manufacturer delivered 10,400 vehicles to customers (March 2012: 11,500; -9.4 %). In March, the market share grew to 18.04% (March 2012: 17.07 %). In the first quarter of 2013, ŠKODA’s sales in Central Europe stood at 28,800 units; down by 11.9% or 32,700 units on the same period last year. ŠKODA made 4,600 deliveries in the Czech Republic in March (March 2012: 5,300; -12.6 %). Between January and March, the brand sold 12,600 cars in their home market (2012: 14,200; -11.5 %), the market share grew after the first three months to 33.4 % (2012: 32.5 %).

In China, ŠKODA’s largest individual market, sales in March dropped by 13.7% to 18,400 units (March 2012: 21,300). Between January and March, ŠKODA sold approximately 57,700 cars to Chinese customers; down on the same period last year by 2.5 % (January to March 2012: 59,200).

Deliveries to ŠKODA customers in March 2013 (No. of units according to model, rounded to the nearest hundred, +/- in % against the same period in 2012):


ŠKODA Octavia (30,500; -25.2 %)

ŠKODA Fabia (21,300; -23.8 %)

ŠKODA Superb (9,000; -15.1 %)

ŠKODA Yeti (7,600; -14.7 %)

ŠKODA Roomster (3,300; -15.5 %)

ŠKODA Rapid (6,800; new model)

ŠKODA Citigo (only sold in Europe: 5,300; new model)

Deliveries to ŠKODA customers in the first quarter of 2013 (No. of units according to model, rounded to the nearest hundred, +/- in % against the same period in 2012):


ŠKODA Octavia (87,500; -20.0 %)

ŠKODA Fabia (52,700; -22.3 %)

ŠKODA Superb (26,300; -4.5 %)

ŠKODA Yeti (18,800; -12.0 %)

ŠKODA Roomster (7,600; -18.7 %)

ŠKODA Rapid (15,000; new model)

ŠKODA Citigo (only sold in Europe: 12,500; new model)