RECORD YEAR: ŠKODA DELIVERS 1.25 MILLION VEHICLES WORLDWIDE IN 2018
- ŠKODA increases deliveries in 2018 by 4.4% to 1,253,700 vehicles
- ŠKODA delivers more than one million vehicles to customers for the fifth consecutive year
- Markets: Growth in Europe (+4.9%) and in the growth markets of Russia (+30.7%) and China (+4.9%)
- SUV models Kodiaq and Karoq remain growth drivers of the model range
Mladá Boleslav, 10 January 2019 – ŠKODA has achieved a record number of deliveries for the fifth consecutive year. The Czech manufacturer’s global deliveries rose by 4.4% to 1,253,700 vehicles in 2018 (2017: 1,200,500). The company recorded strong sales growth in Europe (826,800 vehicles, +4.9%) and in the growth markets of China (341,000 vehicles, +4.9%) and Russia (81,500 vehicles, +30.7%). The Kodiaq and Karoq SUV models continue to be important growth drivers, and ŠKODA Octavia remains the brand’s bestseller.
ŠKODA AUTO CEO Bernhard Maier says: “In 2018, we delivered more vehicles than ever before. This result demonstrates that the ŠKODA Strategy 2025 is effective; our product campaign is unfolding its power around the world. ŠKODA is growing sustainably and manageably despite the fact that 2018 presented numerous challenges for the entire industry, including the WLTP changeover. In 2019 we will continue our product campaign with several new models such as the Scala, the production version of the VISION X and many more. At the same time, we are launching electromobility at ŠKODA this year with our first plug-in hybrid and the first all-electric car – a very special moment in our company’s 124-year history.”
Alain Favey, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Sales and Marketing, adds: “The sales record shows that we were able to inspire new customer groups for our vehicles in 2018 with our attractive, modern model range. A big thank you to all ŠKODA dealers – once again, they have performed excellently, making a significant contribution to the company’s success through their daily work.”
In Western Europe, deliveries to customers in 2018 increased by 1.8% to 486,400 vehicles (2017: 477,700 vehicles). In the brand’s second-largest single market, Germany, ŠKODA grew slightly, delivering 176,600 vehicles (2017: 173,300 vehicles, +1.9%). Thus, the manufacturer has successfully consolidated its position among the most important volume brands. ŠKODA recorded double-digit growth in France (32,000 vehicles, +17.5%), Spain (27,000 vehicles, +11.5%), the Netherlands (17,000 vehicles, +11.6%) and Greece (3,700 vehicles, +17.6%).
In Central Europe, ŠKODA delivered a total of 212,900 vehicles in 2018 (2017: 207,100 vehicles, +2.8%). In the domestic market of the Czech Republic, the company recorded 93,600 deliveries (2017: 95,000 vehicles, -1.5%), in Poland, the car manufacturer increased its deliveries by 6.7% to 71,100 vehicles (2017: 66,600 vehicles). ŠKODA’s deliveries also increased in Slovakia (21,900 vehicles, +4.2%), Hungary (13,800 vehicles, +9.1%), Slovenia (7,300 vehicles, +2.4%) and Croatia (5,300 vehicles, +11.5%).
Deliveries in Eastern Europe excluding Russia increased to 46,100 vehicles in 2018 – an increase of 11.5% compared to the previous year (2017: 41,300 vehicles). The company also achieved growth in Romania (13,200 vehicles, +13.4%), in the Baltic States (8,000 vehicles, +7.4%), in Serbia (7,400 vehicles, +10.2%), Bulgaria (3,900 vehicles, +21.9%), Bosnia (1,800 vehicles, + 13.7%) and Kazakhstan (800 vehicles, +105%).
In Russia ŠKODA grew significantly in 2018: delivering 81,500 vehicles represents double-digit growth of 30.7% compared to last year (2017: 62,300 vehicles).
In the world’s largest sales market, China, the Czech manufacturer’s deliveries increased to 341,000 vehicles in 2018 (2017: 325,000 vehicles, +4.9%).
In India, ŠKODA grew slightly and outperformed the previous year delivering 17,200 vehicles (2017: 17,100 vehicles, +0.8%).
ŠKODA AUTO deliveries in 2018 (in units, rounded off, listed by model; +/- in percent compared to 2017):
ŠKODA Octavia (388,200; -7.3 %)
ŠKODA Rapid (191,500; -9.5 %)
ŠKODA Fabia (190,900; -7.6 %)
ŠKODA Kodiaq (149,200; +49.3 %)
ŠKODA Superb (138,100; -8.5 %)
ŠKODA Yeti (13,100; -81.2 %)
ŠKODA Karoq (115,700; -)
ŠKODA Kamiq (only sold in China: 27,900; -)
ŠKODA Citigo (only sold in Europe: 39,200; +5.5 %)