Skoda continues to grow in April
Skoda has continued its expansion in April, delivering 78,200 vehicles to customers. Worldwide sales increased by 23.7% in April 2011, compared to the same period last year (April 2010: 63,200 vehicles). Skoda also achieved the best April sales result in its history, with sales of 295,300 vehicles in the first four months of the year (January - April 2010: 242,100 units), an increase of 22%.
“We are very satisfied with the sales figures,” explained Jürgen Stackmann, the Skoda board member for sales and marketing. “With a growth of almost one quarter in the first four months we have sent a clear message and are fully on course regarding our growth strategy. Contributions to this result did not just come from the growth regions either. We are stronger than ever on the European market and have won many new customers.”
In April, Skoda UK sold over 3,300 vehicles and achieved a 2.45% market share. In its home market of the Czech Republic, Skoda increased its sales to more than 19,000 units in the first four months of 2011. In April, the manufacturer sold 4,900 vehicles in a declining overall market. The top-selling Skoda models were the Octavia and the Fabia.
The brand also achieved high growth rates in other markets of Central and Eastern Europe, during April. In Romania, sales increased 20.9%, in Poland 15.6%, and in the Ukraine 81.5%.
In Western Europe, Skoda grew almost 10% in April when compared to the previous year, sales rose 9.6% to 32,100 units. Particularly outstanding were deliveries in the Netherlands with a plus of 83.3% and in Belgium with an increase of 26.8%. In Switzerland, sales rose 6.4%. In the Scandinavian countries, too, Skoda made good progress in April: In Finland the brand recorded a plus of 17.6%. In both Sweden and Norway, the growth was above 3%.
Growth markets such as Russia, India, and China continued to grow significantly. In Russia, Skoda achieved its best ever monthly sales record with an increase of 5,900 vehicle sales and 40.5%. In China, the brand achieved its second-best month ever. Deliveries increased 66.2% to 20,100 units in April (April 2010: 12,100 vehicles). The most popular models in the Chinese market were the Octavia (+ 123.3%) and the Superb (+ 43.3%). In India, Skoda’s sales rose by an impressive 71.7%. Sales of the Fabia alone rose by 160% on the subcontinent.
Other non-European markets experienced a very positive development in April as well: Particularly noteworthy was Turkey (+ 64.7%), Israel (+ 75.9%), and Australia (+ 89.2%), among others.
Deliveries to customers in April 2011 (Skoda models compared to April 2010):
Octavia (34,500 vehicles/+37.4%), Fabia (23,100 vehicles/+ 20.1%), Superb (10,700 vehicles/+ 26.0 %), Yeti (5,800 vehicles/+ 33.1%), Roomster (2,900 vehicles/+ 13.6%).
