Skoda achieves global record sales in the first half of 2011

Skoda achieved its most successful half year of trading after posting record sales and profit in the first six months of 2011. Sales revenue increased around 25.7 percent to 5.4 billion EUR during the period while operating profit increased 81.5 percent to 412 million EUR. The quantity of cars delivered to customers year-to-date has continued to rise, reaching 454,698, which is a year-on-year increase of 20.1 percent from 378,747 units. Prof. Dr. H.C. Winfried Vahland, chairman of the board of Skoda, shared that during the first half of the year, the company experienced “rapid growth” in all areas. He added that the team is successfully delivering the strategy for growth that was launched last year. He also stated that they will continue to build on their success in the next half of the year and onwards, with the clear target of bringing worldwide sales up to at least 1.5 million units annually by 2018.
To achieve this growth, the company will broaden its scope in international markets and build on its current range of models. Moreover, the company will start to broaden its product offering with the unveiling of the Skoda Citycar late in 2011, Vahland disclosed. Winfried Krause, who is the Skoda board member for Commercial Affairs, shared that during the first six months of 2011, the company continued to build market share on the international level and to reinforce its financial position. Kraus further stated that this is a direct result of a significant gain in sales as well as an improved model range. The company has built a solid financial foundation for ambitious growth planned in the next years to come, Kraus added. Meanwhile Skoda in Malaysia leads a quiet life as local franchisee; Bermaz concentrates more on its Mazda business.