Skoda delivers 79,100 cars worldwide in May

Skoda delivered 79,100 vehicles worldwide in May, 2013 - 2.9 per cent down on May 2012. Skoda was able to gain shares of European markets in May. In the first five months of 2013 the Czech manufacturer achieved sales of 377,200 vehicles. The production start-up
of the new Octavia and Octavia Combi as well as the revised Superb had a slightly dampening effect on sales. Additionally, the continuing overall weak situation in European markets had a negative impact on the results in May.

"The largest model offensive in Skoda's corporate history has been launched successfully and will be implemented step by step," said Skoda CEO, Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. "We will be vigorously pursuing our growth strategy in the upcoming months even though the situation on the European markets in particular remains tough. Our customers are enthusiastic about the new models. We are confident that our sales figures will once again be in the plus in the second half of the year after the production launch of our new models." In 2013 Skoda will be introducing a total of eight new or revised models, including the new Octavia Saloon, Combi, 4x4 and the sporty RS as well as the remodelled Superb, both as a saloon and combi.

In Western Europe, Skoda made 30,300 customer deliveries in May, which was a slight decrease of 2.3 per cent on May, 2012. In the first five months of 2013 the Czech car manufacturer outperformed the Western European market generally and increased their market share to 3 per cent. In Germany, the market share grew to 4.4 per cent in the first five months, making Skoda once again the strongest importer on the German market. The brand also made significant gains in their second strongest Western European market with sales of 5,300 vehicles in the UK in May - an increase of 12.4 per cent on the same month in 2012. In May Skoda's deliveries also developed dynamically in Denmark (+82.4 per cent) and in Finland (+36.3 per cent).

Skoda delivered over 10,900 vehicles to Eastern Europe in May (Mai 2012: 12,100; -9.7 per cent). Skoda's market share grew to 4.2 per cent in May. Once again, by far the strongest Eastern European market was Russia with more than 7,600 deliveries (May 2012: 8,500; -9.7 per cent). With a total of 33,700 deliveries to Russian customers (January to May 2013, -7.4 per cent), Russia reaffirmed its position as the Skoda's third-largest market worldwide after China and Germany in the first five months of 2013.

In Central Europe,  per cent's deliveries totalled 10,600 units in May - down slightly on last year's figures (May 2012: 10,800; -1.9 per cent). The market share grew to 18.7 per cent. With 5,100 cars delivered in May, Skoda maintained the sales figures of last year in their Czech home market (May 2012: 5,200; -0.4 per cent). Their market share grew to 34.5 per cent.

China was once again Skoda's strongest individual market in May 21,000 customer deliveries (May 2012: also 21,000 deliveries; -0.3 per cent). Between January and May the brand sold 99,100 vehicles in China, which is a slight decrease of 1.5 per cent on the same period in 2012. Skoda wishes to increase sales in China in the coming months. The Czechs intend to place the new Skoda Rapid as well as the newly imported Skoda Yeti and Skoda Superb Combi alongside the existing model range in China.

Skoda's deliveries to customers - May 2013 (in units, rounded to the nearest 100 and arranged according to model; +/-  per cent compared to May 2012):
Skoda Octavia (29,300; -20 per cent)
Skoda Fabia (18,900; -11 per cent)
Skoda Superb (8,600; -8.7 per cent)
Skoda Yeti (7,600; +0.1 per cent)
Skoda Roomster (3,100; -1.9 per cent)
Skoda Rapid (7,500; new model)
Skoda Citigo (sold only in Europe: 4,100; +143.2 per cent)

Posted in: Asia Pacific,China,Europe,Fabia,Global Sales,International,May,Octavia,Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland,Rapid,Roomster,Russia,Sale Report,Skoda,Skoda Citigo,Superb,Yeti