Skoda grows emergency services market share

2007 signalled a huge success for Skoda in the emergency services market, with the manufacturer selling over 500 vehicles direct to this sector, a sales growth of 35 per cent from 2006.

Thanks to Skoda’s famous qualities of reliability and cost effectiveness, more and more emergency crews are realising the benefits of Skoda and are taking ownership of the vehicles. Many are also purchasing through contract hire.

The police force is leading the trend in Skoda fleet cars with 49 out of 53 regional Police forces across the UK now driving Skodas, with the Octavia proving the most popular choice.

The ambulance service, although a fairly new sector for Skoda, is also recognising the benefits of the manufacturer, with Skoda supplying the Hereford & Worcester Ambulance Service, Isle of Wight NHS, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the London Air Ambulance, which uses a Skoda Octavia as its chase car.

Jane Barker, Account Manager at Skoda, comments: “It was only a matter of time before Skoda became a competitive force within this sector. Now, with the development of our Containment Cell Police vehicle and Octavia Scout Paramedic vehicle, we have shown we have the ability to adapt our models to ideally suit the emergency services.

“Thanks to the success of both vehicles, the Skoda brand is now becoming synonymous with emergency vehicles and last year saw a significant increase in take up. We hope to continue the success this year, especially with the launch of the new Superb.”