Former CEO of Saab Automobile, Jan Ake Jonsson, has been charged with giving false testimony.

The former CEO of Saab Automobile, Jan Ake Jonsson, was charged on Wednesday with giving false testimony when the aftermath of the Swedish company's bankruptcy played out in court.

Jonsson was charged in a Swedish district court with giving false testimony over an import and wholesaler agreement in Ukraine in March 2011 when he was head of the automaker, which filed for bankruptcy in December the same year.

"The legal action is, in my opinion, groundless and premature," Jonsson's defense attorney Bengt Nilsson said in text message when asked about the charges.

Jonsson told Swedish business daily Dagens Industri that he was innocent of the charge. "As I remember it, the agreement was a correct one. This happened more than four years ago and at the time we had a string of other important things to deal with," he was quoted as saying.

Jonsson could not immediately be reached by Reuters for comment.

Two other former Saab Automobile employees were also charged in the case.

The Swedish carmaker, which had been making cars since 1947, was rescued from closure under its former owner General Motors through a sale to Dutch Spyker Cars in 2010, but the venture proved short-lived.

China's National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) bought the bankruptcy estate of the carmaker in 2012.

Jonsson joined Saab in 1973. He rose through the ranks to CEO and retired in May 2011 after fighting hard to save the automaker.

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Honda launches new advertising campaign that includes planes, bikes, cars, F1 and more (& the new NSX)

Honda’s latest brand campaign, entitled Ignition, is set to launch this Friday on Channel 4 during Eight out of Ten Cats Does Countdown.

The 90 second film, which is available on Honda’s YouTube channel, pays homage to space flight and opens on ASIMO, the camera reveals the new 2015 Honda fleet on a runway which when viewed from above mimics the shape of a space shuttle or rocket, and as the film unfolds more of the fleet and drivers is revealed.

  

Honda’s rich heritage is woven throughout the film, with the driver of the new NSX captured looking at a picture of the original 1990 NSX held in his hand. Keen viewers will also spot a very special cameo from McLaren-Honda driver, Jenson Button and the voice of the late, great Ayrton Senna.

As the film, which was shot on location in Ukraine, reaches its crescendo the Honda fleet looks set to take off, with smoke, mist and frost billowing from the rear of the rocket formation, symbolising the current position the Honda brand currently occupies, with the entire range refreshed or new since the start of the year.

The brand campaign is supported by 10 second teasers on TV that will build excitement ahead of the premiere.  On social, five to ten second teasers have been rolling out in the week building up to the campaign launch, while on mobile, smart phone users will feel the vibration of the rocket, with phones vibrating in sync with sound and vision.

The creation, delivery and implementation of the Ignition marketing campaign has been led by Kate Barrett, the Honda UK Marketing Communications Manager.  Planning started at the tail end of 2014, with Barrett briefing in Wieden + Kennedy and Starcom MediaVest to deliver a highly impactful campaign which signifies the importance of 2015 for Honda.

Philip Crossman, Honda UK Managing Director commented: “In March we had the oldest product line up in the industry but come the start of September we will have the newest.  This Ignition campaign is the perfect representation of where the brand currently sits and what we are about to experience.  We have a rich heritage in creating unique and memorable advertising campaigns which engage and excite, and Ignition is the perfect platform to build on this.”

ŠKODA 2013: Growth Strategy Successfully Implemented

› ŠKODA delivered 920,800 vehicles to customers in 2013 (2012: 939,200) 

› Record year with eight new or completely revised models 

› Second best sales year in ŠKODA’s history 

› Sales revenue once again over ten billion euros: €10.3 billion 

› Solid operating profit: €522 million

› New ŠKODA Octavia a massive hit: Double-digit growth rates 

› ŠKODA model and design campaign continues to the next stage in 2014 

› ŠKODA to produce a new model at Kvasiny plant

› Best start to the year ever: 151,100 deliveries to customers by the end of February 2014

​In 2013 ŠKODA AUTO continued to successfully implement the company’s growth strategy, despite it being a challenging year for the automotive industry. The Czech carmaker achieved the second-best sales year in its 118-year corporate history, delivering 920,800 vehicles (2012: 939,200 deliveries; down 2.0%). Following the model launches in the first half of 2013, ŠKODA’s deliveries increased later in the year. ŠKODA’s 2013 sales revenue amounted to €10.3 billion; well over the 10-billion-euro mark for the third year in a row. In a period of high investment, the company achieved a solid operating profit of €522 million. Investments amounted to €741 million. The Czech carmaker’s model campaign continues to the next stage in 2014, where ŠKODA will be focusing on a more emotional and expressive design language. At the same time, the company will also be strengthening its international sales activities. 

​“2013 was both an intensive and successful year for ŠKODA. We demonstrated strength in a challenging environment,” says ŠKODA CEO, Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “With the record number of eight new or completely revised models, we launched more new cars than ever before and continued along our path of growth. Despite the above-average number of product launches and often challenging situations on the markets, we achieved the second-best sales figures of all time. Although cumulatively our delivery results were slightly down on 2012, we once again recorded growth in the second half of 2013 following the successful product launches. This positive trend has continued, with high growth rates recorded in the first months of 2014.”

After the first half of 2013, which was characterised by the difficult market situation in Europe, as well as the numerous production start-ups and associated low production volumes, ŠKODA picked up a lot of pace during the second half of the year with the full availability of the new models. This positive trend has continued to this day. As of the end of February 2014, ŠKODA deliveries had increased to 151,100 vehicles – up 10.6% over the same period last year. This is a record result for the first two months of a year. “Our model campaign is now showing all its might. The strong start to the year, the encouraging number of orders coming in and the increasingly positive signals from the European markets give us reason to be optimistic for 2014. However, we still need to keep abreast of uncertain market developments,” explains Dr. Vahland.


2014: ŠKODA growth campaign continues with new models

The ŠKODA model and design campaign is moving into the next stage in 2014. The manufacturer presented the spectacular ‘ŠKODA VisionC’ design study at the Geneva Motor Show at the beginning of March. The emotionally-designed, five-door coupé highlights the dawn of the brand and is leading the next step in the evolution of ŠKODA’s design language. At the same, time the study shows the possibility of innovative ŠKODA body concepts.  

Additionally this year, ŠKODA will be bringing out two fantastic new versions of the revised ŠKODA Octavia. The new ŠKODA Octavia Scout is a true scout in every sense and features a robust look, innovative all-wheel drive technology, and handles excellently both on and off the road. ŠKODA is also continuing the company’s CNG campaign, releasing the new ŠKODA Octavia G-TEC. The first series-produced CNG-Octavia offers clean mobility at an affordable price. Running on compressed natural gas, the car produces CO2 emissions of only 97 g/km. On CNG alone, the vehicle can travel up to 410 km without refuelling. Distances of up to 920 km can be travelled on petrol. This gives the Octavia G-TEC a total range of 1,330 km in combined cycle after one stop at the petrol station.

These two new versions of the Octavia – by far the company’s strongest model line – are paving the way to ŠKODA’s growth. The Octavia is the heart of the brand. The third generation Octavia, introduced in early 2013, is proving to be a massive hit. In Western Europe, the company has seen double-digit growth in sales of this car every month since August 2013. The new ŠKODA Octavia is available as a saloon, combi, combi 4x4 and the powerful Octavia RS. ŠKODA is winning over an increasing number of consumer groups with this, the third generation Octavia. 

2013: Growth in Western & Central Europe 

ŠKODA delivered a total of 920,800 vehicles in 2013; a slight decrease of 2.0% on 2012 (939,200 deliveries).

ŠKODA recorded growth in Western Europe, where the brand developed significantly better on the market that was generally in decline. Deliveries increased by 3.1% to 369,600 vehicles (2012: 358,400). ŠKODA’s market share grew to 3.2% (2012: 3.0%). In Germany, the company strengthened its position as the largest import brand.

ŠKODA also grew in Central Europe in 2013 with 126,500 deliveries to customers, representing an increase of 2.0 % (2012: 124,000). The brand’s share of the Czech market rose to over 19%. In the company’s home market, the Czech Republic, in Poland and also in Slovakia, the ŠKODA brand was the clear number one.

The manufacturer achieved 125,400 deliveries in Eastern Europe (2012: 137,100), where ŠKODA’s market share stood at just under 4%. ŠKODA delivered 87,500 vehicles to customers in Russia (2012: 99,100). 

China was again ŠKODA’s strongest individual market for 2013. The manufacturer achieved a total of 227,000 deliveries on the Chinese market (2012: 235,700). The new Octavia is all set for its launch in China in mid-2014. 22,600 ŠKODA vehicles were delivered in India last year. The Czech brand recorded strong growth in Israel (14,400; +11.7%), Turkey (12,800; +23.2%) and Algeria (9,100; +85.3%).

Success with new models 

With a total of 359,600 deliveries in 2013, the ŠKODA Octavia was once again the top-selling ŠKODA model by far (2012: 409,600). The decrease of 12.2% was due to the model changeover. Sales increased after the new Octavia began running again at full production capacity in the second half of the year.

The ŠKODA Fabia achieved sales of 202,000 units last year. 240,500 of this model were sold in 2012. The launch of the brand new ŠKODA Fabia is set for Autumn 2014.

The new ŠKODA Rapid performed extremely well in its first full sales year. ŠKODA recorded a four-fold increase in sales of the Rapid over the previous year, with 103,800 units in 2013 (2012: 24,700) This makes the Rapid – available as Spaceback and saloon – ŠKODA’s third strongest model just two years after its market launch. The ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback, presented in mid-2013, was brands’ first compact hatchback. It was with this car that ŠKODA entered the highest volume segment in Europe.  

In 2013, the ŠKODA Superb achieved 94,400 deliveries to customers (2012: 109,100). The brand's flagship was extensively revised in mid-2013. The new ŠKODA Superb features new ŠKODA designs, fresh interiors and state-of-the-art technology. The fuel consumption and emissions of the engine range have been reduced by up to 19%.

82,400 of the ŠKODA Yeti were delivered in 2013 (2012: 87,400). ŠKODA's popular compact SUV also received a major overhaul in terms of technology and design. The vehicle is now available for the first time in two versions: the elegantly-stylish ŠKODA Yeti for the city and the adventurous ŠKODA Yeti Outdoor. Both versions feature dynamic designs, the highest functionality and excellent handling on and off the road.

The ŠKODA Citigo – the smallest member of ŠKODA’s model range – has also done exceptionally well since its release in 2011. In 2013 deliveries increased by an impressive 51% to 45,200 (2012: 30,000). The ŠKODA Roomster won over 33,300 customers from around the world (2012: 38,000 deliveries).


ŠKODA’s 2013 financial figures

ŠKODA achieved a solid financial performance in 2013. Sales revenue totalled €10.3 billion; down slightly on the previous year due to lower volumes (2012: €10.4 billion). Operating profit stood at €522 million (2012: €712 million). The operating margin was 5.1% (2012: 6.8%). “Despite the difficult economic conditions in Europe and high expenditures to expand the model range, we were able to maintain the operating profit at a solid level. This was possible, primarily due to our cost reductions,” says ŠKODA CFO, Winfried Krause. The company's investments in 2013 amounted to €741 million (2012: €832 million). Profit before tax amounted to €536 million (2012: €713 million). Profit after tax stood at €455 million (2011: €611 million).

ŠKODA plans further growth, investments in the Czech production plants

Over the coming years, ŠKODA plans to grow, and increase worldwide sales to at least 1.5 million vehicles per year. To this end, the company will be introducing a new or revised model every six months on average.

To support the plan, ŠKODA is continuously investing in the expansion of its Czech production plants. The Mladá Boleslav plant was thoroughly modernized and expanded to make way for the production of the new Octavia and its many variants, as well as the Rapid and Rapid Spaceback range.

ŠKODA has also invested in the production capacities at the Kvasiny plant in line with the launch of the Yeti and Superb facelifts. On the occasion of the visit of the Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka in Wolfsburg, it was also announced that a decision has been made to manufacture an additional ŠKODA model at the Kvasiny plant.

As part of the model and design campaign the company is strengthening its marketing activities on the European and international markets. In addition to expanding the company’s solid position in Europe, the Czechs are focusing on the growth markets of China and Russia. The new ŠKODA Octavia is going to be launched in China in spring 2014. The production of the new ŠKODA Rapid in Russia started just a few weeks ago. 

Skoda sees sales growth returning after 2013 profit drop

Volkswagen's Czech unit Skoda expects to return to sales growth this year thanks to a build-up of orders and signs of recovery in many of its markets, the carmaker said on Monday after posting a 25.5 percent drop in 2013 profit.

Skoda is counting on the launch of new models to propel it towards a goal of selling 1.5 million cars annually by 2018 and has said it is set to hit 1 million for the first time in 2014.

Vehicle sales dipped 2 percent to 920,800 cars in 2013.

"It was a pleasing start to the year, a good level of orders and ever-more positive signals from markets convinces us that we will be able to continue in growth this year," Skoda CEO Winfried Vahland said in a statement today.

Skoda's sales suffered in the first half of 2013 during the switch over to a new version of its Octavia compact but have since rebounded as production was ramped up to meet a backlog of orders.

Sales jumped by 16.5 percent in January and rose 4.5 percent in February, helping it post its best ever start to a year.

The success of VW's mass-market brands, comprising Skoda, Seat and its core VW cars, are crucial to the German group's goal to become the world's biggest automaker by 2018.

Skoda's sales last year grew in Europe, where it makes about two thirds of revenues, despite a sluggish economy hurting car demand, although China was again its biggest individual country for sales.

"Europe is and will stay our main market. The goal is to increase our market share in Europe to more than 5 percent, currently we have over 4 percent," Vahland said.

Ukraine sanctions

He said that the company was not expecting a severe impact on markets in Russia and Ukraine because of a building crisis over the latter's Crimea region, which formally applied to join Russia on Monday in a move that will trigger European sanctions.

"Russia and Ukraine are important markets for us (so) we are monitoring the situation there," Vahland said. "We do not expect harsh sanctions against Russia."

Skoda's deliveries in Russia dropped to 87,500 cars in 2013, from 99,100 cars in 2012.

New SUV

On Friday, Skoda said it will produce a new model at its Kvasiny plant in the Czech Republic.

The carmaker did not name the vehicle but reports have said it will be a compact five- and seven-seat SUV based on the VW Tiguan likely called the Snowman, with production due to start in 2016.

The Kvasiny factory would also build a version for Seat, Czech reports said.

ŠKODA produces 4,000,000th Octavia

•  ‘Heart of the brand’ - ŠKODA Octavia - setting new standards in the compact segment for almost 17 years
•  Millions sold: Best-selling ŠKODA ever
•  Winner: new ŠKODA Octavia successfully launched
•  International success model: production in the Czech Republic, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Ukraine  and from 2014 in China

ŠKODA has just produced the 4,000,000th ŠKODA Octavia. The anniversary vehicle – a third-generation Octavia in ‘Race-Blue’ rolled off the production line today at the Mladá Boleslav main plant. The ŠKODA Octavia has been setting standards in the compact segment since 1996 and is by far the brand’s best-selling model.



​“Four million Octavias produced – this impressive figure represents the great success of the model and brand,” says ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “As the ‘heart of the brand’, the Octavia has decisively shaped ŠKODA’s outstanding development and made the company what it is today – an internationally successful manufacturer, present on over 100 markets worldwide. We are continuing this development with the third generation. The new Octavia is once again a winner with its excellent ŠKODA genes.  It is the largest, lightest, safest, most practical, comfortable and environmentally friendly Octavia ever.”

The Octavia has always been the epitome of a ŠKODA: timelessly elegant design, above-average space, highest functionality, many Simply Clever features, sophisticated modern technology, quality and precision and not least unbeatable value for money. The launch of the third generation in early 2013 topped all of that again.  The new Octavia offers mid-class qualities for the price of a compact, now more than ever.

At its launch in October 1996, the Octavia was the first completely new ŠKODA model after the fall of the Iron Curtain and marked the start of the partnership between ŠKODA and Volkswagen. Nearly four million Octavias had been delivered to customers worldwide between 1996 and July 2013 - around 38% of the brand’s total sales in this period, making the Octavia the undisputed best seller in the 118-year history of the company.

This also makes the new Octavia the most important model in the most comprehensive product campaign in ŠKODA’s corporate history. The manufacturer is promoting its high-impact path of growth with a powerful model extravaganza. The aim of this growth strategy is to increase the number of vehicle sales worldwide to at least 1.5 million per year by 2018.

In the first half of 2013, the Czechs presented their new bestseller in four versions: the saloon, the Combi and Combi 4x4 as well as the sporty Octavia RS – with a top speed of 248 km/h, making it the fastest series-produced Octavia ever. As the cornerstone of ŠKODA’s growth strategy, the Octavia is an international success story. In addition to its manufacture at ŠKODA’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav, the compact car is also produced in Russia (Nizhny Novgorod), India (Aurangabad), Ukraine (Solomonovo) and Kazakhstan (Ust-Kamenogorsk).  Additional production is also planned from 2014 in China; ŠKODA’s strongest individual market.  “The ŠKODA Octavia is a car for Europe and the world, now more than ever,” says Vahland.