Strong Growth for ŠKODA in October

ŠKODA has seen a sharp increase in sales this October. The Czech manufacturer delivered 83,800 vehicles to customers worldwide, corresponding to a growth of 7.5% over October 2012 (78,000 sales). This is a new October record for the brand. In Europe, ŠKODA saw double-digit growth of 13.7 % to 55,700 units sold. In Germany, the brand grew by 23.5% to over 12,100 vehicles.

Cumulatively, ŠKODA sold 768,700 vehicles worldwide between January to October 2013 (same period last year: 795,100; -3.3%). After the production launches of the new ŠKODA cars during the first six months, the model campaign is unfurling its full power. The brand has set a new record with eight new and revised ŠKODA models being introduced this year alone. Despite some difficult market conditions, new orders continue to develop positively.

“With an increase of 7.5% in October, we have firmly confirmed the positive trend of recent months,” says Werner Eichhorn, ŠKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing. “The global growth once again demonstrates the power of the brand and the appeal of our young model range. The new and revised models have been exceptionally well received. The new Octavia has a very high customer acceptance and has exceeded our expectations.” In Western Europe, sales of the new Octavia increased by 48.8% in October and in Central Europe by 23.1% compared to the same month last year. ŠKODA’s market share in Europe grew in the first 10 months of 2013 to over 3.9%. The market launch for the Octavia in China is set for next year.

The Czech carmaker is keeping up the pace in the last quarter of 2013: A few weeks ago the new ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback celebrated its market debut in many European markets. ŠKODA has entered the largest vehicle segment in Europe with their first compact hatchback model. Pre-orders are already coming in for the fundamentally revised ŠKODA Yeti with its launch date set of January 2014. This is the first time that the Yeti is to be available in two visually different versions – the ŠKODA Yeti for the urban jungle and the ŠKODA Yeti Outdoor for the country. The production of a completely reworked ŠKODA Superb was also launched a few weeks ago in China.

In Western Europe, ŠKODA recorded a significant increase of 17.3 % in October. Deliveries increased to 32,400 units compared to 27,600 units last October. Once again, the brand has outperformed the overall market. In the first ten months, the market share in Western Europe grew to 3.1% (same period last year: 3.0%). In Germany – ŠKODA’s second largest market worldwide – ŠKODA is building its position as the largest import brand; sales increased in October by 23.5% to over 12,100 units. The brand saw growth into the double figures in the UK (5,700 vehicles; up 23.1%), Denmark (1,400, up 32.0%), Finland (830 vehicles, up 33.6%), Italy (900 vehicles, up 23.0%), the Netherlands (1,200 vehicles, up 21.3%), Norway (760 vehicles, up 25.8%) and Spain (1,000 vehicles, up 56.6%). In Norway, ŠKODA achieved the best monthly sales result ever.

In Eastern Europe, ŠKODA delivered 11,400 vehicles to customers in October (October 2012: 11,600; -1.7%). After ten months, the market share stood at around 3.9%. In Kazakhstan, the brand saw a three-fold increase in sales, selling more cars in one month than ever before. In the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), almost 700 customers decided on a new ŠKODA, 66.6% more than in October 2012. In Romania, the brand grew by 24.1% with over 600 units and in Serbia by 16.2% with 400 vehicles. In Russia, ŠKODA’s third largest market, the Czechs sold 7,100 vehicles (October 2012: 8,300; -14.5%).

In October ŠKODA grew by more than a fifth in Central Europe: Customer deliveries increased by 21.6% to almost 12,000 vehicles (October 2012: 9,800). With this growth significantly above market average, ŠKODA’s market share increased to 20.5% in October. In their Czech home market, ŠKODA saw significant growth, whilst the market in general declined slightly. Deliveries to customers in the Czech Republic reached 5,700 units (October 2012: 5,300), an increase of 8.2 %. ŠKODA’s market share in the Czech Republic after ten months stands at 35.8% and in the month of October at almost 37.3%.

ŠKODA have proven their strength once again in China – 21,500 vehicles delivered to customers in China (October 2012: 22,900 units; -6.0%), representing the fourth-strongest sales month for ŠKODA since their entry onto the Chinese market around six years ago. Cumulatively over the first ten months, ŠKODA 199,200 sold vehicles in China (January to October 2012: 204,800; -2.7%).

In India, deliveries increased by 16.1% to over 2,300 vehicles. A few weeks ago, the new ŠKODA Octavia was successfully launched on the Indian market.

ŠKODA customer deliveries in October 2013 (in units, rounded off, according to model; +/- in % over the same month in 2012):


ŠKODA Octavia (34,200; +0.6%)

ŠKODA Fabia (15,500; -17.5%)

ŠKODA Superb (9,100; -2.5%)

ŠKODA Yeti (7,200; +2.2%)

ŠKODA Roomster (2,500; -8.9%)

ŠKODA Rapid (12,000; +426.3%)

ŠKODA Citigo (only sold in Europe: 3,300; -13.0%)