END OF YEAR WORLDWIDE - SKODA - The Czech brand tops 1.1 million for the year with a record December sales month.

• ŠKODA increases deliveries by 6.8% to 1,127,700 cars
• Best December of all time: 91,500 deliveries (+5.7%)
• Significant growth in Europe (+5.6%) and China (+12.6%)
• ŠKODA SUPERB (+73.4%), RAPID (+9.5%) and FABIA (+5.4%) sales increase significantly
• Model campaign: market launch of ŠKODA KODIAQ set for February

ŠKODA achieved a new sales record in 2016: The brand’s global sales rose 6.8% last year to 1,127,700 vehicles (2015: 1,055,500). In December, ŠKODA achieved a 5.7% increase (December 2015: 86,600) with 91,500 deliveries. 

This was the best December ever in the company’s history. ŠKODA will continue to intensify its model campaign throughout 2017. 

Two new models will be released in the first quarter: the new KODIAQ and the extensively revised OCTAVIA. Additional new products will follow during the course of the year.

“The record result of 2016 highlights the fact that we increased the attractiveness of our brand last year with our young and modern model range,” says ŠKODA CEO, Bernhard Maier. 

“We are increasingly able to inspire new customer groups, with emotional designs, the latest automotive technology and the many practical advantages of a ŠKODA. With a total of eleven model innovations, we will continue this trend in 2017. 

In particular, the market launches of the revised OCTAVIA and the new SUV model KODIAQ are expected to provide further positive momentum for the brand in the first half of the year,” adds Maier.

The world premiere of the new large KODIAQ SUV in Berlin and its subsequent exhibition debut at the Paris Motor Show were the product highlights of 2016. “The KODIAQ marks the launch of our broad-based SUV campaign, bringing new growth potential to the brand,” says ŠKODA Board Member for Sales Werner Eichhorn, adding: “It is also gratifying that, in cooperation with our dealership organisation, more than 75% of our circa 3,200 ŠKODA dealerships around the world had converted their operations to the new corporate design by the end of 2016.”

In Western Europe, ŠKODA grew by 5.7% to 455,200 deliveries in 2016 (2015: 430,900). In December, the brand delivered 32,600 vehicles to customers in this sales region (December 2015: 31,100). In Germany – the second-strongest global market – the manufacturer’s deliveries increased by 4.1% to 165,200 cars (2015: 158,700) in 2016, thus further expanding its position as the strongest foreign brand. ŠKODA achieved double-digit growth in Italy (20,500 vehicles, +24%), Ireland (9,500 vehicles, +20.5%), France (24,200 vehicles, +12.7%) and Finland (11,100 vehicles, +10.5%).

ŠKODA recorded strong growth in Eastern Europein 2016 with a 7.2% increase in sales to 35,100 vehicles (2015: 32,700). In December, the brand grew in this sales region by 3.3% to 2,800 deliveries (December 2015: 2,700).

In Russia, ŠKODA delivered 55,400 units in the year as a whole (2015: 55,000, +0.7%). ŠKODA achieved a double-digit growth rate in Ukraine (3,600 vehicles, +57.2%), Bosnia (1,400 vehicles, +23.2%), Romania (10,300 vehicles, +14.4%) and the Baltic States (6,500 vehicles; +10.6%).

ŠKODA also experienced significant growth in Central Europe in 2016. The brand grew by 6.8% to 183,800 deliveries (2015: 172,100). ŠKODA’s sales in its home market of the Czech Republic increased by 3.5% to 88,000 units (2015: 85,000). The brand achieved double-digit sales growth in Croatia (3,500 vehicles, +12.7%), Poland (56,200 vehicles, +12.3%) and Slovenia (6,300 vehicles, +10.8%).

ŠKODA showed strong presence in China in 2016: The deliveries in ŠKODA’s strongest market worldwide increased by 12.6% to 317,100 vehicles (2015: 281,700). In December, the brand delivered 29,900 vehicles to customers (December 2015: 28,900 deliveries).

ŠKODA also developed positively in Turkey (28,900 vehicles, +30.0%) and Israel (20,400 vehicles, +14.9%).

ŠKODA deliveries to customers in 2016 (in units, rounded off, by model; +/- in percent compared to 2015):

ŠKODA OCTAVIA (436,300; +0.9 %)

ŠKODA RAPID (212,800; +9.5 %)

ŠKODA FABIA (202,800; +5.4 %)

ŠKODA SUPERB (139,100; +73.4 %)

ŠKODA YETI (95,600; -4.0 %)

ŠKODA CITIGO (only sold in Europe: 40.700; +1.4 %)

ŠKODA deliveries to customers in December 2016 (in units, rounded off, by model; +/- in percent compared to 2015):

ŠKODA OCTAVIA (36,600; +3.1 %)

ŠKODA RAPID (18,200; +20.7 %)

ŠKODA FABIA (14,600; -1.9 %)

ŠKODA SUPERB (12,400; +32.6 %)

ŠKODA YETI (6,200; -27.3 %)

ŠKODA CITIGO (only sold in Europe: 3300; +6.9 %)