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 Fabia is made into an ‘Art Car’ - its a bit bright, would it look right in Tesco's car park ?

​› Graffiti artist Armando Gomes designs ŠKODA Fabia ‘Street Art’

› Unique, full of emotion, colourful: ŠKODA Fabia as a work of art

› Joint art project with international lifestyle journalists

› New Fabia: crisp appearance, perfect for modern, urban mobility

The new ŠKODA Fabia provides much more scope for customisation than ever before. With 125 colour combinations, there are almost no limits to the customers’ wishes. 

The Czech manufacturer now presents a very special, creative interpretation of its new small car: the ŠKODA Fabia Street Art. For this purpose, the Portuguese graffiti artist Armando Gomes has turned a vehicle into a unique, multi-coloured work of art on four wheels.

​“The new ŠKODA Fabia is more emotionally-rich than ever before and is the perfect car for the modern, urban mobility of today,” says Werner Eichhorn, ŠKODA Board Member for Sales and Marketing. “The creation of the vehicle as a work of art underlines the brand’s aspirations for emotional resonance. We are really pleased about our collaboration with the renowned graffiti artist Armando Gomes. This fresh and unusual project demonstrates that we are conducting our model campaign with new, creative ideas,” says Eichhorn. The art project took place in Lisbon at the end of October as part of the new ŠKODA Fabia’s international presentation to the press. 

The ŠKODA Fabia Street Art was created in several stages. To begin with, Armando Gomes laid the groundwork by applying the lines and geometrical shapes to the body of the car. The surfaces were then sprayed in different colours. At this stage, the artist was supported by international lifestyle journalists who could test the new Fabia as part of the presentation. 

The Portuguese artist Armando Jorge Aires da Costa Gomes is regarded as one of the most significant graffiti artists in the world. The 31-year-old lives and works in Lisbon. The Portuguese graffiti artist also works as a designer, illustrator and film producer. 

The new ŠKODA Fabia is the latest ‘coup’ within ŠKODA’s biggest model campaign of all time. The third-generation Fabia is to further strengthen the brand’s success within international markets. The completely newly developed small car offers ‘more car’ in every respect and sets standards in its class. The new Fabia has been available in the first European markets for a few weeks. The new ŠKODA Fabia Combi follows these days. 

As the brand’s first production model, the new Fabia demonstrates the evolution of the ŠKODA design language into a more expressive and more emotionally-charged design. Great emphasis has also been placed on individuality. The new Fabia hatchback is available in 15 colours. Based on a cleverly-devised colour concept, up to 125 different colour combinations can be chosen for the roof, A-pillars, wing mirror caps and wheels.

Happy 60th birthday to the most beautiful car ever made, that will be the Citroen DS.

This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the 1955 DS. Three icons  ̶  the original DS,  DS 3 WRC and Sébastien Loeb  ̶  are joining forces with the DS brand to celebrate the anniversary of this legendary car and support the launch of the new brand. All three icons will be in Monte-Carlo this month: the DS 3 WRC and Sébastien Loeb today, for the start of the 83rd Monte-Carlo Rally, and the DS 21 in a few days for the 18th Monte-Carlo Historic Rally. This year will see a variety of meetings, shows and special events, along with other surprises yet to be announced by the DS brand.

On 6 October 1955, the DS 19 made its debut under the glass dome of the Grand Palais in Paris. Visitors rushed to buy the car, which sold 12,000 examples in one day. The styling and high-tech innovations of the DS made it a legendary car, one that is still talked about today. 

“It was only natural for us to celebrate the anniversary of the historic DS at a time when the brand is beginning its first full year of existence. We are building the brand on the exceptional heritage of this car to bring customers cars that combine outstanding styling and technology, comfort and driving sensations, premium materials, refinement and attention to detail,” explains Yves Bonnefont, DS CEO. For this reason, a multitude of events are planned around the world in 2015 to celebrate this sixtieth anniversary.

THE DS BRAND BRINGS TOGETHER THREE ICONS IN MONTE-CARLO

Opening the festivities, three icons will be present in Monte-Carlo this month:

• DS 3 WRC with its new 2015 livery featuring a large “60” on the rear wings and Sébastien Loeb – nine-time World Rally Champion – will both be on the starting line for the 83^rd Monte-Carlo Rally today.
• A sports version of the 1966 DS 21 will be taking part in the 18^th Monte-Carlo Historic Rally (28 January - 4 February). Stamped with the brand logo and carrying the number 21, the DS will be on the starting line at Reims on 30 January, with Bob Neyret at the wheel. A nod to history, as Bob Neyret has already claimed two victories in the Monte-Carlo Rally at the wheel of a DS.

INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOWS IN THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY COLOURS OF THE DS

DS is also taking part in events dedicated to vintage car enthusiasts, such as Rétromobile (Paris, France, 4 - 8 February) and Techno-Classika (Essen, Germany 15 - 19 April), as well as international motor shows in Geneva (Switzerland, 5 - 15 March), Shanghai (China, 22 - 29 April) and Frankfurt (Germany, 19 - 27 September). The brand will be celebrating the 60^th anniversary of the DS with original exhibitions of vintage vehicles, with new vehicles placed alongside the historic DS.

FAN MEETINGS TO CELEBRATE THE SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY OF THE DS

DS enthusiasts all over the world will be celebrating the 60^th birthday of the DS, as in Belgium (on 26 April) or in Australia (2 and 11 October). One of the main international events, set to take place on 22 and 23 May at the historic Montlhéry track in France, is set to bring together 700 vintage DS vehicles.

DS WEEK: A MAJOR EVENT TO CELEBRATE THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DS AND LAUNCH THE BRAND

Between 19 and 22 May, the DS brand will be welcoming representatives of its global network to Paris, the home of DS. On the weekend of 23 and 24 May, the brand will be organising events for the general public in the heart of Paris.

The meeting place will be the Tuileries Garden.

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.”