Skoda posts record sales in May – 99,000 units

Skoda has reported a 2.4 percent year-on-year rise in sales to 99,000 units in May (May 2016: 96,700), making it the best May in the company’s history. The traditional Czech brand made significant gains particularly in Europe and India.

The recently launched Kodiaq – the company’s first new SUV model – went home to 7,500 customers last month. Since its global launch in March 2017, the Kodiaq has sold 17,100 units. According to Werner Eichhorn, Skoda Board Member for Sales and Marketing, “Despite the challenging market conditions in some regions, we were able to sell more vehicles last month than in any May in our history. We are particularly pleased with the successful market launch of the Kodiaq. The first vehicle of our SUV campaign has been very well received by our customers.”

In Western Europe, the company sold 42,800 units (+4.1%). In Germany – the brand’s strongest individual European market – 15,500 vehicles were sold. There was also strong sales growth in France (2,300 vehicles, +13.5%), the UK (7,000 vehicles, +5.9%), Italy (2,600 vehicles, +27.5%), Sweden (1,600 vehicles; +8.5%), Austria (2,200 vehicles, +5.9%) and the Netherlands (1,400 vehicles, +12.7%).

In Central Europe, sales rose by 14.5% to 19,000 units (May 2016: 16,600 vehicles). In the Czech home market, deliveries increased by 12.1% to 9,100 vehicles (May 2016: 8100 vehicles). The Czech car manufacturer also made significant gains in Poland (5,700 vehicles, +19.2%), Slovakia (1,900 vehicles, +10.0%), Croatia (700 vehicles, +74.6%) and Slovenia (600 vehicles, +5.2%).

In Eastern Europe excluding Russia, sales grew by 9.9% to 3,600 vehicles this May (May 2016: 3200 vehicles). The Baltic States (700 vehicles, +25.0%), Serbia (600 vehicles, +16.5%), Ukraine (500 vehicles, +48.5%) and Bulgaria (300 vehicles, +11, 3%) all recorded double-digit growth rates. In Russia, Skoda recorded an increase of 5.9% to 5,000 units in May (May 2016: 4700).

In China, the brand’s largest individual market, 22,700 vehicles were sold (May 2016: 24,200 vehicles; -6.1 %). This decline is mainly due to the ongoing revision of the model range. Skoda says it had expected this trend and expects normalisation of demand in the second half of the year.

In India, Skoda sales increased to 1,300 – 34.1% up on last year (May 2016: 1,000 vehicles).