Skoda Auto increases its worldwide sales again

With 254,680 vehicles delivered to customers over the first five months of 2007, Skoda Auto continues achieving record results. Compared with the same period of last year, the sales have grown by 13.8 %. The highest growth is reported from Eastern Europe, where the customers bought altogether 37,406 vehicles over the first five months of 2007, i.e., by 49.4 % more than over the same period of last year. May 2007 was the second best month in Skoda's history in terms of sales – the Company sold 53,077 vehicles worldwide, by 9.2 % more than in May 2006.

With 119,259 vehicles worldwide (+ 7.2 %), the best-selling model line is the Skoda Octavia, including the Octavia Tour. Besides that, Skoda sold 99,047 Fabias (after the launch in March 2007, the portfolio now also includes the second-generation Fabia hatchback), 27,093 Roomsters and 9,281 Superbs.

Altogether 142,821 vehicles were delivered to Western Europe over the first five months, by 13,4% more as compared with last year. Germany reports 50,675 new registrations, i.e., by 7.5% more than over the same period of last year. Despite the overall slump in the German automotive market (- 9,6%), Skoda Auto's share grew to 4.0% over the first five months of the year. Skoda also achieved excellent results in Great Britain (17,092 vehicles, + 5.0 %), Spain (12,187 vehicles, +13.2 %), Italy (8,375 vehicles, + 15.1 %) and Belgium (7,529 vehicles, + 26.9 %).

Compared with the same period of last year, Skoda Auto increased its sales in Central Europe by 3.1%, being particularly successful in Poland over the first five months – with 14,326 vehicles sold, the sales in Poland grew by 25.7% and the current market share is 11.7%.

The strongest markets in Eastern Europe over the first five months were Russia (10,736 vehicles, + 134.4 %), Romania (9,895 vehicles, +34.6 %) and the Ukraine (8,695 vehicles, +25.1 %). Customers' interest in Skoda vehicles has been growing throughout this region.

Skoda Auto is planning to increase its worldwide sales to more than 600,000 vehicles in total in 2007.