ŠKODA: 464,600 Deliveries in the First Half of 2013, New Record for June

ŠKODA achieved sales of 87,400 cars in June – slightly more than the June 2012 figures, making it a new record for this sales month. At the same time, June 2013 was the second best sales month in ŠKODA’s corporate history ever. In June, ŠKODA once again outgrew the overall European market by increasing their market share to 4.1% (June 2012: 3.9%). The Czech car maker delivered 464,600 cars worldwide in the first half of 2013 (January to June 2012: 493,000 units; -5.8%). Sales in the first half of 2013 were primarily influenced by model changeovers and the start of production of the ŠKODA Octavia and ŠKODA Superb. The continuing weak situation on a number of European car markets had an impact on ŠKODA sales.

“ŠKODA successfully implemented the growth strategy in the first half of the year despite the challenging environment”, explains the ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h. c. Winfried Vahland. “Although our sales declined slightly in the first six months, primarily due to the start of production of the new Octavia as well as the very weak European markets, we delivered in June, for the first time in 2013, more vehicles than the same month in 2012. It is also the best June sales result ever,” says Vahland. “In the second half of the year we expect a further increase in deliveries. However, the economic conditions, especially in the European markets continue to be a challenge,” explains Vahland.

ŠKODA is to launch a total of eight new or revised models onto the market this year. Last week saw the launch of the new ŠKODA Octavia RS from the Octavia family and also the new ŠKODA Superb – saloon and Combi. In the second half of the year, the Czechs will be putting even more effort into their campaign.

In Western Europe ŠKODA delivered 35,700 vehicles in June – slightly up on the same period last year (June 2012: 35,600 deliveries; +0.4%). Thus, the Czech car maker developed significantly better than the generally declining market. ŠKODA market shares in Western Europe grew to 3.2% (June 2012: 3.0%). Between January and June, ŠKODA achieved sales in Western Europe of 186,200, 4.7% down on the first half of 2012 (195,400 units). In Germany – ŠKODA’s second strongest market – the brand delivered 68,200 vehicles to customers by the end of June (January to June 2012: 70,600 units; -3.4%), thereby giving ŠKODA the pole position as the strongest foreign brand. In the UK, sales grew in the first half of the year by 16.9%. In Denmark, the Czechs almost doubled their sales between January and June.

In Eastern Europe, ŠKODA’s sales dropped by 0.8% to nearly 12.500 units in June (June 2012: 12,600). ŠKODA’s market share grew at the same time to 4.5%. In the first half of 2013, the manufacturer reached a total of 59,100 deliveries in Eastern Europe, 9.4% down on the same period last year with 65,200 units. The strongest single market was once again Russia where 9,100 vehicles were delivered to Russian customers in June – 4.6% down on June last year.

In Central Europe, ŠKODA delivered 11,500 vehicles in June (June 2012: 11,700; -1.6%). The market share was nearly 19.1% in June. In the first half of the year, the brand’s Central European deliveries totalled 61,600 units (January to June 2012: 66,600; -7.6%). In its home market, the Czech Republic, the brand’s market share rose to 35% in the first half of the year. Vehicle deliveries reached 28,300 (first half 2012: 30,700; -7.6%).

In June ŠKODA deiveries significantly increased in China: 21,200 units in ŠKODA’s strongest market means an increase of 5.2% compared to June 2012. Between January and June ŠKODA sold 120,200 units in China and almost reached the same level as last year (January to June 2012: 120,700 deliveries, -0.4%).

ŠKODA customer deliveries in June 2013 (in units, rounded off, listed by model +/- per cent on the same month in 2012):

ŠKODA Octavia (33,200; -10.5 %)
ŠKODA Fabia (19,600; -12.8 %)
ŠKODA Superb (8,200; -19.9 %)
ŠKODA Yeti (8,600; +0.4 %)
ŠKODA Roomster (3,700; -17.4 %)
ŠKODA Rapid (9,400; new model)
ŠKODA Citigo (sold only in Europe: 4,800; +85.4 %; new model)

ŠKODA customer deliveries in the first half of 2013 (in units; +/- per cent on the same period in 2012):

ŠKODA Octavia (181,200; -17.5 %)
ŠKODA Fabia (110,100; -17.6 %)
ŠKODA Superb (51,000; -10.5 %)
ŠKODA Yeti (41,800; -7.3 %)
ŠKODA Roomster (17,300; -15.3 %)
ŠKODA Rapid (38,400; new model)
ŠKODA Citigo (sold only in Europe: 24,900; +349.2 %; new model)