CTK reported that Skoda Auto sold 717,200 cars in the January to September 2012 period, an annual rise of 7.9% and in September 2012 alone, sales rose by 3.3% YoY to 83,900 units.

Car sales in Western Europe dropped to 33,700 units in September from 35,200 in September 2011. Skoda's share of the markets in Western Europe, however, rose to over 3% in January to September 2012 period from 2.8% in the same year ago period.

Supplies to the strongest German market grew by 9.2% to 13,700 cars in September 2012. September 2012 sales in Eastern Europe soared by 22.7% to 11,700 units, while in Central Europe the car maker sold 9,300 cars, a drop of around 10.5%. Russian sales were more than 35% higher at 8,800 units, Czech sales declined by almost 10% to 4,600 cars.

January to September 2012 sale in Central Europe increased by 3% to 94,000 units and the market share added 0.4% to 18.8%.

Mr Werner Eichhorn, a board member in charge of sales and marketing, said that the situation in some of the European markets is still difficult but Skoda Auto managed to raise its market share.

In the months ahead Skoda expects to show better results. In October 2012, it starts selling the new model Rapid in Europe.

September 2012 sales in China grew by 6.6% to 22,500, the best monthly result since Skoda's entry into the market. Sales in India posted a rise of 18.3% to 2,600 cars, more than a half of them being the local variant of the new model Rapid.

Octavia was the best selling brand in September 2012, with 35,800 cars sold, an annual decrease of 2.1%. Fabia sales went down by 22% to 18,900 cars and Roomster sale dropped by 1% to 3,500 units.

On the contrary, Superb sales rose by 4.2% to 10,700 cars and Yeti sales added nearly 30% to 8,400. As many as 4,900 Citigo cars were sold in Europe in September 2012.

Source - Czech News Agency

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