Skoda celebrates producing 17,000,000th model in 120 year rich and varied history.

ŠKODA has produced their 17 millionth vehicle. The jubilee car – a ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback in ‚Corrida Red’ – ran off the production line at the ŠKODA headquarters in Mladá Boleslav. The vehicle is going to a customer in Germany. This production milestone is a highlight of the Czech carmaker’s successful growth strategy. In 2014 ŠKODA manufactured and sold more than 1 million cars for the first time during a single year in the company’s 120-year history. Over the coming years, ŠKODA plans to increase sales to at least 1.5 million per year.

“ŠKODA is doing extremely well,” says ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “Producing 17 million vehicles since 1905 demonstrates the brand’s strength and sustained success. Since 1991, when ŠKODA joined forces with Volkswagen, we have manufactured more than 12 million cars. Now, we can definitely say we are established in the ‘Champions League’ of international volume manufacturers. ŠKODA will continue to grow over the coming years with new models.” 

ŠKODA is one of the longest-established vehicle manufacturing companies in the world. Automobile production began in 1905: In that year, the ŠKODA founders Laurin and Klement built their first automobile in Mladá Boleslav, a Voiturette A. Since then, the company has produced 17 million vehicles at their Czech and international plants. 

ŠKODA has made incredible progress especially since joining the Volkswagen Group in 1991. The rapid resurgence of the legendary automobile brand has indeed been impressive – from the company’s roots in the heart of Europe to an internationally successful manufacturer with currently seven model series and over 40 model variants. In 2014 ŠKODA achieved the magic threshold of producing and selling one million vehicles in a single year for the first time in the company’s history. Global sales in 2014 reached a new record of 1.04 million vehicles delivered. 

“We are not going to become complacent; we are picking up the pace,” says Prof. Vahland. Over the coming years, the company plans to increase annual car sales to at least 1.5 million. The main driving force behind the growth strategy is ŠKODA’s most comprehensive model campaign of all time. Since 2011, the brand’s model range has been comprehensively renewed and has expanded into important segments. The most recent addition is the new ŠKODA Fabia that has been setting standards in the small car class since its launch a few months ago. As early as mid-February, ŠKODA will be introducing the new ŠKODA Superb. ŠKODA’s completely redeveloped flagship heralds in a new era for the brand and is and will be the best ŠKODA ever. The market launch is set for early June this year.

The manufacturer has implemented their growth strategy not only in Europe but also in the international growth markets. The Chinese market, in particular, is playing a key role. In 2014 China was once again ŠKODA strongest individual market with a 27% share of total sales. 

The company’s international orientation is also demonstrated in their global production network, which has expanded significantly over recent years. ŠKODA vehicles are currently produced at 13 production locations in the Czech Republic, China, Russia, India, Slovakia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Over the coming years, the Czech carmaker plans to increase their production capacities further.  

Selected milestones in ŠKODA AUTO’s production: 

›30 January 2015: 17 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

›10 December 2014: ŠKODA manufactures the 1,000,000th vehicle in 2014 – the first time the company had produced one million vehicles in a single year  

› 19 March 2014: 11 million ŠKODA cars produced at the Mladá Boleslav plant

› 9 July 2013: 1 Million ŠKODA vehicles in China since 2007

› 5 February 2013: 15 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

› 30 January 2012: 14 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

› 12 October 2011: 10 million ŠKODA vehicles at the Mladá Boleslav plant

› 8 April 2009: 12 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

› 13 July 2006: 10 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

› 1991: 5 million ŠKODA vehicles since 1905

ŠKODA is top auto brand in latest Institute of Customer Satisfaction report

• ŠKODA is top auto brand in latest Institute of Customer Satisfaction report
• High customer satisfaction maintained along with 14 per cent increase in sales
• Over 10,000 customers quizzed in nationwide survey

ŠKODA UK is celebrating this week after the brand topped the automotive table in the latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index Summary (UKCSI) produced by the Institute of Customer Service. ŠKODA was in the top 10 per cent of all organisations across all industry sectors.

ŠKODA achieved an index of 82.7 to scoop the top spot in the automotive sector, putting the brand 4.1 points ahead of the average for the automotive industry (78.6). 

Overall this places ŠKODA 18^th of all the 197 organisations which featured in the UKCSI’s findings, among other major consumer brands such as John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Amazon.

David Allen, Head of Customer Quality and Network Development for ŠKODA UK, commented: “Customer service is at the heart of what we do. We appreciate feedback from organisations such as the Institute of Customer Service to validate the steps that we take to ensure that each and every ŠKODA customer has a positive experience.

“This month’s findings are a testament to the hard work of each of the brand’s 134 retailers. I’d like to extend my thanks to them in helping us to bring our second-to-none service and award-winning range to customers across the UK.”

The UKCSI is the national measure of customer service, rating 180 leading organisations across 13 sectors. Launched in January 2008, it includes responses from over 10,000 individual consumers.

The Institute of Customer Service is an independent professional membership body for customer service. The Institute’s purpose stands to improve customer experience and drive business performance by delivering tangible benefits to its organisational and individual members. The Institute boasts a membership body of over 400 organisations from across the private, public and third sectors; and over 5,000 individual members.

Jo Causon, Chief Executive of the Institute of Customer Service, commented: “Many organisations are struggling to keep pace with a business environment that has undergone rapid change in recent months... [but] some brands are improving customer satisfaction by operating in an agile and innovative way...”

Skoda tips the Million for the first time, & with even more increases due this year, the futures looking great

• For the first time, ŠKODA sold more than one million vehicles in a calendar year: 1,037,200 deliveries (2013: 920,800; plus 12.7 per cent)
• Best December ever: 81,900 deliveries (plus 16.9 per cent)
• International success: strong ŠKODA growth in Europe and China
• Youngest ŠKODA model portfolio ever is very well received
• ŠKODA’s strongest single market is China: a record to 281,400 deliveries
• Model campaign continues in 2015 with new Fabia Estate and new Superb

ŠKODA set a new sales record in 2014. For the first time in its 119-year company history, the brand sold more than one million vehicles. ŠKODA’s worldwide deliveries increased by 12.7 per cent to 1,037,200 vehicles last year (2013: 920,800 deliveries). The global market share improved to 1.4 per cent (2013: 1.3 per cent).

In December alone, global ŠKODA sales increased by 16.9 per cent to 81,900 units (December 2013: 70,000). This was the best December ever in the company’s history. In 2015, the car maker intends to grow further with new models.

‘ŠKODA made good ground in a challenging 2014 environment and has successfully continued to grow,’ said ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. ‘By setting a new sales record and delivering more than one million vehicles for the first time, the brand has established itself in the “Champions League” of international high-volume manufacturers. 

The impact of the biggest model campaign in our company history is getting stronger and stronger. Since 2010, we have redesigned almost the entire model portfolio and expanded into new segments. With our new models, we are increasingly winning over new customer groups. And we won’t take our foot off the accelerator in the coming years,’ said Vahland.

In 2014, the comprehensive model campaign that started four years ago was once again the priority for the Czech manufacturer. ‘The acceptance of our models and of the brand is higher than ever before. We were able to increase our market share in almost every region,’ said Werner Eichhorn, ŠKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing. 

Back in March, the pioneering “ŠKODA VisionC” concept was the first rocket of last year’s ŠKODA product fireworks. The Octavia G-TEC, Octavia Scout, three special Monte Carlo editions for the Citigo as well as Yeti and Rapid Spaceback followed over the course of 2014. The new ŠKODA Fabia provided the year’s grand finale in November.

The Czech model campaign will not slow down in 2015. From mid-January, the new ŠKODA Fabia Estate will arrive at the first dealerships. The new ŠKODA Superb will receive its world premiere in February in Prague and will then be showcased at the Geneva Motor Show in early March. The market launch of the Superb is planned for mid-2015. This new model marks the beginning of a new era for the Czech car manufacturer and is the pinnacle of ŠKODA’s model campaign so far.

In Western Europe,ŠKODA developed better than the market in 2014 and increased deliveries by 11.8 per cent to 413,200. The market share improved to 3.4 per cent (2013: 3.2 per cent). In December, the brand delivered 28,800 vehicles to customers in Western Europe (December 2013: 31,300). In Germany, worldwide the second-strongest market for the manufacturer, ŠKODA increased deliveries by 9.6 per cent to 149,500 in 2014 (2013: 136,400), further improving on its position as the strongest foreign brand there. 

Great Britain saw growth of 15.1 per cent - 76,000 units are a new ŠKODA sales record on the British Isles. The brand also achieved double-digit growth in the Netherlands (18,600 vehicles; plus 36.6 per cent), Belgium (17,800 vehicles; plus 15.0 per cent), Spain (17,800 vehicles; plus 32.5 per cent), Italy (14,200; plus 17.3 per cent), Sweden (13,600 vehicles; plus 10.5 per cent), Ireland (6,300 vehicles; plus 27.5 per cent) and Portugal (2,400 vehicles; plus 32.7 per cent).

In Eastern Europeincluding Russia, ŠKODA delivered a total of 119,200 vehicles to customers in 2014 (2013: 125,400). The brand’s market share improved to 4.3 per cent from 3.9 per cent in 2013. 

In December, ŠKODA achieved 8,300 deliveries in Eastern Europe (December 2013: 12,300). In Russia, ŠKODA delivered 84,400 units in 2014 (2013: 87,500) and market share increased to 3.7 per cent (2013: 3.4 per cent).  ŠKODA saw double-digit growth in Romania (7,300 vehicles; plus 32.6 per cent), in Serbia (5,200 vehicles; plus 24.2 per cent), in Bulgaria (2,100 vehicles; plus 20.4 per cent) and in the Baltic states (5,400 vehicles; plus 16.2 per cent).

ŠKODA performed strongly in Central Europe in 2014. The brand grew by 18.5 per cent to 149,900 deliveries (2013: 126,500). ŠKODA’s market share improved to 19.9 per cent (2013: 19.1 per cent) and sales in their home market, the Czech Republic, increased by 16.9 per cent to 70,200 units (2013: 60,000). 

Double-digit sales increases were also achieved in Poland (46,700 vehicles; plus 20.5 per cent), Slovakia (16,400 vehicles; plus 10.6 per cent), Hungary (8,200 vehicles; plus 12.7 per cent), Slovenia (5,000 vehicles; plus 38.1 per cent) und Croatia (3,400 vehicles; plus 71.9 per cent).

ŠKODA grew at a fast pace in China, its biggest single market worldwide. In 2014 the deliveries of the brand increased by 24.0 per cent to the new record figure of 281,400 vehicles (2013: 227,000). 30,800 vehicle sales in December meant the manufacturer was able to more than triple its deliveries to customers (December 2013: 9,600 deliveries) – that was ŠKODA’s best-ever sales month in China. In 2014, ŠKODA also did very well in Israel (15,100 vehicles; plus 5.1 per cent), in Turkey (14,000 vehicles; plus 9.4 per cent) and in Algeria (11,100 vehicles; plus 21.2 per cent). In India, ŠKODA delivered 15,500 vehicles to customers in 2014 (2013: 22,600).

ŠKODA deliveries to customers in 2014 (in units, rounded, by model; +/- in per cent compared to 2013):

ŠKODA Octavia (389,300; +8.3 %) ŠKODA Fabia (160,500; -20.5 %)  ŠKODA Superb (91,100; -3.5 %)  ŠKODA Citigo (European sales only: 42,500; -6.0 %)

ŠKODA Rapid (221,400; +113.3 %) ŠKODA Yeti (102,900; +24.8 %) ŠKODA Roomster (29,600; -11.0 %)

ŠKODA deliveries to customers in December 2014 (in units, rounded, by model; +/- in per cent compared to December 2013):

ŠKODA Octavia (35,100; +38.1 %)   ŠKODA Fabia (9,700; -32.8 %)    ŠKODA Superb (6,700; +30.7 %) ŠKODA Citigo (European sales only: 2.500; -17.0 %)

ŠKODA Rapid (18,600; +49.7 %) ŠKODA Yeti (7,400; +9.4 %) ŠKODA Roomster (1,900; -32.8 %)

UK SALES - SKODA - Records tumble again for teh fifth year running, can it continue ? You bet it can !

• ŠKODA UK had its fifth record-breaking year in a row in 2014
• Record registrations hit an all-time high of 75,488
• Market share of 3.07 per cent
• Crucial new models in 2015 give opportunity for yet more growth

ŠKODA UK has ended 2014 on a high, with registrations of 75,488 making this the fifth consecutive year of record high new car registrations. Growth of 14.24 per cent for the Czech brand gives it a 3.05 per cent share of the UK market.

This means ŠKODA UK has increased registrations by 14.24 per cent over 2013. With the overall UK new car registrations up 9.35 per cent, ŠKODA has outperformed the market yet again. This latest sales success means a doubling of ŠKODA registrations in just five years. Registrations of 74,488 give ŠKODA a UK market share of 3.05 per cent in 2014, up from 2.9% in 2013.

Every model in the ŠKODA range played its part in the success. The Octavia was the most popular car in the range, with a total 21,320 cars sold (10,141 hatches and 11,179 Estate models). Next up was the Fabia, which even in its run-out year accounted for 16,177 sales, 12,191 of them hatches and 3,986 Estates. The third-most popular ŠKODA model was the Yeti, which had a record year with 13,081 sold.

Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK, said: “These registrations are an outstanding achievement and reflect the hard work of our retailers and partners. This not only makes us one of the UK’s fastest growing brands, but also one of the most important markets worldwide for ŠKODA.

“We’d like to welcome our customers to the ŠKODA family. We’re looking forward to another record year ahead. We’re just launching the new Fabia, which is a great car, and just one of the exciting new models we’ll be launching this year, with the new Fabia Estate arriving in March, and the new Superb in September. What’s more, our customers will discover an even more enjoyable buying experience, thanks to a new look that’s transforming our retailers’ showrooms.”

ŠKODA produces and sells one million vehicles for the first time in one year.

• ŠKODA produces and sells one million vehicles for the first time in one year
• Large anniversary event for employees and guests at ŠKODA Museum
• Millionth vehicle produced: ŠKODA Fabia 1.2 TSI goes to charity
• One millionth vehicle delivered, a ŠKODA Octavia vRS, goes to Czech customer
• Manufacturer achieves key milestone in growth strategy

Producing and delivering one million ŠKODA cars in a single year is a milestone for the Czech manufacturer, and reaffirms its international growth strategy. ŠKODA honoured the team’s outstanding contribution to the successful development of recent years by hosting the ‘Million Celebration’ at the ŠKODA Museum.

The one millionth ŠKODA vehicle produced this year ran off the production lines at the main ŠKODA plant in Mladá Boleslav on 10 December: a ŠKODA Fabia 1.2 TSI in moon white. The anniversary car was donated to the ‘Life for Children’ foundation, a charity which provides care and support for ill children in the Czech Republic, and which was selected as the most worthy recipient by ŠKODA employees. The keys were handed over yesterday evening at a ceremony in Mladá Boleslav.

In addition, the millionth ŠKODA customer of 2014 – who is from the Czech Republic - was welcomed during the festivities. He had ordered an Octavia Estate vRS, 2.0 TSI in rally-green metallic, and the keys were handed to him by rally champion Jan Kopecky.

“Producing and delivering one million vehicles is a historical milestone that demonstrates the strength of the brand,” said ŠKODA CEO Prof. Dr. hc Winfried Vahland. “ŠKODA has achieved a new dimension and is firmly established as an international volume manufacturer. This success can be attributed to our model campaign, and the great performance of our 26,000 employees worldwide. The whole team is very proud of this achievement. At the same time, achieving this million in production and sales will spur us on to pick up the pace over the coming years.”

ŠKODA growth strategy is successful

By achieving one million in production and sales in 2014, the manufacturer is once again flying the banner high and highlighting its growth. At the heart of the growth strategy is the most comprehensive model campaign in the 119-year history of the company. Since 2010, the brand has been extensively renewing its model range and branching out into important segments – from the small ŠKODA Citigo to the new ŠKODA Fabia introduced just a few weeks ago.

“We offer the most attractive and modern ŠKODA model range of all time,” said Winfried Vahland. The model campaign’s success is reflected in the sales figures: between 2010 and December 2014, ŠKODA’s deliveries increased by over 30 per cent, making ŠKODA one of the world’s fastest-growing volume brands.

The company’s development over the past two decades is one of the great success stories in the automotive industry. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain and joining the Volkswagen Group in April 1991, ŠKODA’s production and sales have increased six-fold. With this came the resurgence of one of the longest-established automotive brands. ŠKODA's origins date back to the pioneering days of the car in 1895. In its rich history, the company has always delighted customers with legendary cars like the ŠKODA 860 and ŠKODA Popular Monte Carlo.

In addition to expanding the model range, an important pillar of the growth strategy is entering new markets beyond Europe. Nowadays, ŠKODAs are available in over 100 countries worldwide. China has been the brand’s strongest market since 2010. In the first 11 months of 2014 around one quarter of ŠKODAs worldwide were sold in China.