Congrats to Skoda, 5 Million in total and One million for the current gen Octavia, and sales keep growing.

• Success rooted in tradition: 5 million ŠKODA Octavia models produced since 1996; one million third-generation ŠKODA Octavias manufactured in total
• ‘Heart of the brand’ has received more than 50 international awards
• International success: a total of 432,300 Octavias delivered to customers around the world in 2015

ŠKODA has produced the one millionth third-generation Octavia. The milestone vehicle ran off assembly line at ŠKODA’s main factory in Mladá Boleslav. Since the model was introduced in 1996, the Czech carmaker has produced five million Octavias in total.

This is the most successful ŠKODA model ever and is considered the ‘heart of the brand’ – the ŠKODA Octavia. Now the jubilee vehicle, an Octavia Scout in moon-white, has rolled off the assembly line at the main factory in Mladá Boleslav.

Manufacturing one million third-generation ŠKODA Octavias underscores the success of the vehicle on the international markets. The Octavia sets standards in its class and is the largest, safest, most practical and comfortable Octavia ever. 

More than any other ŠKODA model, the Octavia symbolises the brand’s rapid rise over the past two decades. Five million ŠKODA Octavias have been manufactured in total since 1996.

The third-generation ŠKODA Octavia is more diverse than ever. The Octavia hatch and estate are available with front-wheel and all-wheel drive. The ŠKODA Octavia RS is the fastest series-produced Octavia of all time. 

The ŠKODA Octavia G-TEC with natural gas drive and the ŠKODA Octavia Scout, a robust all-rounder with impressive off-road qualities, debuted in 2014. In addition, the exclusive ŠKODA Octavia L&K is available in Europe.

With a wide range of model versions and outstanding product features, it is not only in the markets that the Octavia has been a hit; the professional audience have also praised ŠKODA’s bestseller. In recent years, the vehicle has received more than 50 international awards. The model has also won out in numerous comparison tests.

The third generation of the Octavia was launched on the market in 2013. Most Octavia models are produced at the main plant in Mladá Boleslav. 

In addition to production in the Czech Republic, the ŠKODA Octavia runs off the assembly lines in China, Russia, India and Kazakhstan. As ŠKODA’s largest individual market, China plays a crucial role for both the brand and the model. 

The ŠKODA Octavia was launched in China in May 2014. Since then, the compact-class vehicle has been produced at SAIC Volkswagen’s factory in Ningbo.

In 2015 alone, 432,300 vehicles from the Octavia model series were sold around the world, which is around 11% more Octavia models than the previous year. ŠKODA delivered 70,500 Octavias to customers in the first two months of this year.

Third Generation Octavia wins yet another award, to add to a large tally so far won.

The third generation ŠKODA Octavia is going from strength to strength. The latest proof is receiving the award for the best imported car in the compact class in the readers’ choice ‘Best Cars 2015’ organised by the German car magazine ‘Auto Motor und Sport’ (AMS). Since its market launch in early 2013, the ŠKODA bestseller has won 44 national and international car awards so far.

​The ŠKODA Octavia has also been a great hit on the international markets, with more than 500,000 of the third generation Octavia already having been delivered to customers around the world. In 2014 sales of the model increased 8.1% to 388,800. In Western Europe, sales grew by an incredible 22.5% in 2014. Last year, the ŠKODA Octavia was the best-selling new car in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland. 

“The Octavia is very special to us at ŠKODA. We have put our heart and soul into developing this car. Wining this award from the ‘Auto, Motor und Sport’ readers is further proof that we’ve got a lot of things right,” explains ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. 

The third generation Octavia truly is one of a kind, and is the largest, safest, lightest, most practical, comfortable and environmentally friendly Octavia of all time. 

The whole model series is also more versatile than ever. There are currently eight versions in the range: the Octavia hatchback, Octavia hatchback 4x4, Octavia Combi (estate), Octavia Combi (estate) 4x4, Octavia RS, Octavia G-TEC, Octavia Scout and the especially environmentally friendly Octavia GreenLine. The top of the European line also includes the exclusive Octavia L&K version.

Consumers, car experts and the trade media alike value the product features and versatility of ŠKODA Octavia very highly. To date, the ŠKODA Octavia has won 44 renowned national and international car awards, making it one of the most awarded vehicles in its class. Over the last two years, the third generation of the model has won prizes in twelve countries, including the Czech Republic, Germany, China, Russia, India and even Australia.  The Octavia was recognised primarily as being a great family car, with exceptional functionality, stable resale value, excellent value for money, and not least its attractive design.

Awards for the third generation ŠKODA Octavia since 2013:

2013:

› Fleet Award – Germany

› Honourable mention at the ‘Red Dot’ design awards - Deutschland

› 5-star evaluation in the  Euro NCAP crash tests

› Company car of the year – Germany

› Category winner in the Automotive Brand Contest – Germany

› Best resale price (Octavia Combi (estate)) – Germany, Czech Republic, France, Italy, United Kingdom 

2014/2015:

› Best Cars 2015 (AMS) – Germany

› Green Car of the Year 2015 (Octavia G-TEC ) - Czech Republic

› Car of the Year 2014 – Slovenia

› Car of the Year 2014 (KMN, KMP, SDA, AutoSAP) – Czech Republic

› Car of the Year 2014 (Tuulilasi) – Finland

› IL Car of the Year 2014 – Finland

› Best Cars 2014 (AMS) - Germany

› Golden Klaxon – Best Golf-Class Car - Russia

› Most rational buy of 2014 – Germany

› Value Champion 2014 (Auto Bild) – Germany

› Best Cars 2014 (AMS) – Czech Republic

› Design Gipfel Award (Auto Bild) – China

› Marcus Award 2013

› 4x4 of the year 2014 (Octavia Combi 4x4) - Auto Bild Allrad – Germany

› Car of the Year 2014 – Russia

› TOP-5 AUTO 2014 - Russia

› Golden Klaxon – Russia

› Za Rulyom Grand Prix 2014 - Russia

› Family car of the year 2014 (Octavia Combi) - AUTOStraßenverkehr und ELTERN - Germany

› 2014 Auto Design Award (Autobild) – China

› 2013 China Fashion Car-Fashion Design Award (Auto Fashion News) – China

› Car of the year 2014 – Denmark

› Business car of the year 2014 – Denmark

› Saloon of the year (BBC Top Gear) - India

› Midsize saloon of the Year (NDTV Car & Bike Awards) - India

› Executive saloon of the Year (Car India) - India

› Midsize saloon of the year (Zigwheels) - India

› Saloon of the year (Golden Steering Wheel – Auto Bild) - India

› Best premium saloon of the Year (Motor Vikatan) - India

› Executive Saloon of the year ( Top Gear Malayalam - God’s own Car & Bike Awards) – India

› Family Car of the Year – Belgium

› Slovenian Car of the Year 2014 – Slovenia

› Business car of the year 2014 (Fleet awards) – Slovakia

› Woman’s Family Car (Twój STYL magazine) – Poland

› The Best Car 2013 plebiscite! (onet) – Poland

› Brand Automotive Fleet 2014 - Poland

› Business Car of the Year 2014 – Poland

› PLAYBOY Car of the Year 2014 (Octavia RS) – Poland

› Australia’s Best Cars Award – Australia

ŠKODA, best April in Corporate history, and still growing.

• ŠKODA deliveries increase by 15.5% to 89,600 cars (April 2013: 77,600)
• Growth in all major sales regions; up 20.7% in Europe
• New ŠKODA Octavia still number one: almost 60% increase in Western Europe
• ŠKODA model campaign continues with Octavia G-TEC and Octavia Scout
• ŠKODA UK enjoys record April with 6200 sales

ŠKODA’s worldwide deliveries increased 15.5% to 89,600 cars in April (April 2013: 77,600), making it the best April in the company’s history. ŠKODA grew by 20.7% in Europe, in China by 7.6% and in Russia by 3%. The new ŠKODA Octavia has proved to be a huge hit, recording an increase in sales of around a third. Deliveries of the ŠKODA Octavia even rose by almost 60% in Western Europe.  

“We are pleased to be continuing the positive trend of the last few months,” says Werner Eichhorn, ŠKODA Head of Sales and Marketing. “Our attractive and young model range is inspiring more and more customers. After achieving the best April ever, we have seamlessly continued our sales record from the first quarter.” The brand sold more cars in the first three months of the year than ever before in a first quarter.

Over the coming months, the manufacturer plans to continue the most comprehensive model campaign in corporate history with new models. Later this month the new ŠKODA Octavia G-TEC – the first Octavia to run on natural gas – will be celebrating its premiere. The new ŠKODA Octavia Scout will be released on the markets this summer. In addition, three new sporty Monte Carlo versions of the ŠKODA Yeti, ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback and ŠKODA Citigo will be coming out soon. The company will also be introducing the new ŠKODA Octavia und den ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback in China – the brand’s largest individual market – in the first half of this year. The ŠKODA Rapid has complemented the brand’s model range in Russia since April.

In April the Czech brand once again recorded significant growth in Western Europe. Deliveries to customers increased by 22.1% to 36,600 vehicles (April 2013: 29,900), meaning ŠKODA has grown significantly in all individual markets. In Germany – the brand’s largest European market – ŠKODA deliveries increased 16.2% to 12,900 cars, where the Czech manufacturer is also the clear leader in import models. With an increase of 26.2% to 6200 vehicles delivered, the brand continues to perform excellently on the UK market.

ŠKODA sales more than doubled in the Netherlands (1600 vehicles; up 103.2%). ŠKODA also achieved double-digit growth in Belgium (1900 vehicles; up 28.9%), France (1900 vehicles; up 17.3%), Spain (1700 vehicles; up 28.7%), Switzerland (1500 vehicles; up 34.2%), Italy (1300 vehicles; up 11.4%), Austria (2000 vehicles; up 19.6%), Finland (800 vehicles; up 20.9%), Ireland (500 vehicles; up 26.4%), Greece (300 vehicles; up 33.3%) and Portugal (300 vehicles; up 48.0%).

In Eastern Europe, ŠKODA grew 1.6% to 10,700 vehicles delivered this April (April 2013: 10,500). In Russia – the brand’s third-largest market worldwide – 7700 vehicles were delivered to customers, representing an increase of 3.2% over April 2013. (April 2013: 7500). ŠKODA also recorded double-digit growth in Romania (600 vehicles; up 38.7%), Serbia (500 vehicles; up 60.7%), the Baltic States (500 vehicles; up 51.7%) and Kazakhstan (400 vehicles; up 43.1%).

ŠKODA sales increased by more than a third in Central Europe this April. Deliveries to customers increased 35.8% to 14,600 vehicles (April 2013: 10,800). The brand achieved an outstanding sales result in their Czech home market, recording growth of 38.9% to 7100 vehicles delivered (April 2013: 5100). In Croatia, 700 customers opted for a ŠKODA – almost four times as many as April 2013. ŠKODA is also going from strength to strength in Poland (4200 vehicles; up 28.1%), Slovakia (1400 vehicles; up 11.2%), Hungary (800 vehicles; up 25.5%) and Slovenia (400 vehicles; up 34.0%).

ŠKODA’s strongest individual market this April was China once again, where deliveries to customers increased by 7.6% to 21,900 vehicles (April 2013: 20,400). In India, ŠKODA sold 1200 vehicles in April (April 2013: 2000).

ŠKODA deliveries to customers in April 2014 (in units, rounded off, by model; +/- in % over the same month last year):

ŠKODA Octavia (33,000; +5.5 %)

ŠKODA Rapid (16,900; +157.7 %)

ŠKODA Fabia (15,000; -20.1 %)

ŠKODA Yeti (10,400; +52.8 %)

ŠKODA Superb (7500; -4.0 %)

ŠKODA Citigo (Sold only in Europe: 3900; +11.0 %)

ŠKODA Roomster (2800; +1.4 %)

The ŠKODA model range is getting exciting extensions.

› ŠKODA Octavia: model series expanded with Octavia G-TEC and Octavia Laurin & Klement; new sports steering wheels, wheels and technological features
› ŠKODA Yeti and ŠKODA Citigo launched in Monte Carlo versions
› More comfort features for ŠKODA Citigo and ŠKODA Rapid
› New special edition ŠKODA Superb Outdoor – strikingly adventurous
› ŠKODA model & design campaign moves into the next stage

The ŠKODA model range is getting exciting extensions. Two new versions of the Octavia will be heading to auto-dealers in May – the new ŠKODA Octavia G-TEC and the new ŠKODA Octavia Laurin & Klement. There will also be two new additions to ŠKODA’s sporty Monte Carlo family – the Yeti Monte Carlo and the Citigo Monte Carlo. A distinctively styled version of the ŠKODA Superb is also now available as the ŠKODA Superb Outdoor. In detail, the Citigo, Fabia, Rapid, Octavia und Yeti will also receive new and exciting product features. These introductions will take place as part of the 2015 model year change.

​The Czech manufacturer’s model range is becoming even more versatile through renewing and expanding the current range. In addition, the ŠKODA model and design campaign will be moving into the next stage this year. The new ŠKODA Octavia Scout is to be launched on the European markets in mid-2014. The spectacular ‘ŠKODA VisionC’ design study, seen a few weeks ago at the Geneva Motor Show, gave an insight into ŠKODA’s future design language. 

“The new ŠKODA models are extremely popular with our customers. This is proved by our sales in the first quarter of 2014. We are pleased that we can offer our customers even more innovations in terms of technology, design and equipment,” says Werner Eichhorn, ŠKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing.

The new ŠKODA Octavia G-TEC is soon to be launched. The first series-produced Octavia to run on CNG enriches ŠKODA’s model range of environmentally-friendly yet affordable vehicles. The Octavia G-TEC can travel up to 1,330 km on a single tank. The bivalent engine runs on petrol and CNG. On CNG, the vehicle uses only 5.4 m3 (3.5 kg) of natural gas, corresponding to CO2 emissions of a mere 97g/km. The Octavia G-TEC is ŠKODA’s second natural gas vehicle after the Citigo G-TEC.

The top-of-the-range L&K standard will be seen in the new Octavia for the first time, being launched as the ŠKODA Octavia Laurin & Klement (L&K). The L&K range pays homage to the founding fathers of ŠKODA, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement. The Octavia L&K, as a saloon and estate, will be one of the best equipped cars in the compact segment. The car’s comfort features include bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime-running lights, redesigned 18-inch wheels, a modern 4-spoke multifunction leather steering wheel and the CANTON sound system. In addition, high-quality materials and subtle design effects provide an air of elegance. There are three powerful engines, including the 135 kW 2.0 TDI Green tec with the fantastic combination of a six-speed DSG gearbox and four-wheel drive. This engine will be available from August 2014. ŠKODA has also improved the driving comfort of the Octavia L&K, with a new chassis set-up and with an emphasis on high-comfort suspension tuning. 

The Octavia also features some exciting innovations. There are new sports steering wheels and new 16-inch alloy wheels for the Green Line version. The Optical Parking Assistant is also available upon request. The ‘Swing’ radio has been redesigned as well. 

ŠKODA’s Monte Carlo model family has grown. The ŠKODA Yeti Monte Carlo has won over customers with dynamic design elements and extensive series-standard equipment. Among other things, there is a black-painted radiator grille frame and a black front spoiler. In addition, the Yeti Monte Carlo now has black 17-inch alloy wheels and tinted rear side windows and rear window (SunSet). The vehicle roof and the A, C & D pillars are painted black, as is the roof rack and the exterior mirror housings. A black rear diffuser highlights the car’s sporty appearance. The interior is equally as sporty, with 3-spoke sports steering wheels, sports seats, stainless steel pedals and Monte Carlo decorative trim. 

ŠKODA will be offering brand new 3-spoke sports steering wheels and three new wheel designs for the Ambition and Elegance Yeti versions from the end of May. The exterior colour ‘Shark-Blue’ is to be replaced by the new colour ‘Laser-White’.

ŠKODA now offers a Monte Carlo version of the ŠKODA Citigo. This version will be available with all engines, a bivalent variant running on compressed natural gas and petrol as well. The special edition drives up on black 15-inch alloy wheels, and black 16-inch alloys will also be available as an option. The car comes with sports suspension, 15 millimetres lower compared to the standard Citigo. In addition, there are tinted windows, a black front and rear spoiler, a black diffuser and grille and black exterior mirror housings. The car also features a sporty interior, with a 3-spoke sports steering wheel, black roof lining, black interior lining and seat covers in Monte Carlo design. The instrument panel has a special Monte Carlo design with an inlaid pad in black decor paint. 

As of September for the ŠKODA Citigo a high quality sound system with subwoofer and six speakers is available. Other new features are the optional three-spoke sports steering wheel and as standard equipment in the Ambition version a safety vest holder under the driver's seat.

The ŠKODA Rapid and ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback are also to be upgraded as part of the 2015-model year change. The manufacturer will be offering optional rain and light sensors on both models. The rain sensor attached to the windshield under the rear-view mirror automatically operates the wipers when it rains. The light sensor detects the intensity of the light outside and, for example, switches automatically from daytime running lights to low beam at the entrance to a tunnel. The light sensor also includes the ‘Coming home/Leaving home’ function. 

A 3-spoke sports steering wheel upholstered in perforated leather is a new feature in the dynamic package for the Rapid and Rapid Spaceback. The leather steering wheels are to receive a silver-coloured decorative trim. ‘Laser-White’ and ‘Topaz-Brown’ (from CW38) are also going to be available as exterior colours. There is also going to be a new style package for the Rapid saloon. This includes black exterior mirror housings as well as the fog und rear lights encased in black. 

A strikingly adventurous version of the ŠKODA Superb is now available. The special edition ŠKODA Superb Outdoor features robust panelling, attractive alloy wheels, a rough-road package, and other design elements. Except for the GreenLine version, the ŠKODA Superb Outdoor is available for virtually all Superb engine and transmission variants and with front or all-wheel drive.

The ŠKODA Fabia and ŠKODA Roomster are going to have slight changes to the range of colours available. The top bar of the radiator grille is to be painted in the same colour as the body in future editions of the Fabia Monte Carlo special model. The Fabia’s ‘Sky-Blue’ exterior is to be replaced with ‘Moon-White’. The Roomster will have ‘Laser-White’ and ‘Jungle-Green’ in place of ‘Shark-Blue’.