With 939,200 vehicles delivered, ŠKODA AUTO again achieved a new sales record in 2012. In comparison to the previous year, the deliveries worldwide increased by 6.8 percent (2011: 879,200). The ŠKODA sales revenue simultaneously increased by 1.7 percent to a new record of 10.4 billion Euro. With 712 million Euro, the operating profit was stable at a high level. Simultaneously, the investment by the company increased by approximately 46 percent to 832 million Euro (2011: 568 million Euro). With eight new or revised models, the year 2013 reflects the model offensive of the Czech vehicle manufacturer.
“In 2012, we consequently continued the ŠKODA growth strategy,” said the ŠKODA Chairman of the Board of Management, Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland during the annual press conference in Mladá Boleslav. “We have achieved a new record for the sales and turnover, expanded our model range and further strengthened our position in the international automobile markets. We have invested in new models and capacities, as well as maintained a largely stable operating profit at a high level in a difficult economic environment. Many thanks to the complete ŠKODA team for another good ŠKODA year,” stated Vahland.
For 2013 ŠKODA will relentlessly continue its ongoing model offensive. In this year, the Czech company is launching eight new or revised models onto the market. “Overall, 2013 will not be easy for the automotive industry. However, with our current model range and the new vehicles, as well as our broad international involvement, we have a good starting point to strengthen our position globally,” said the ŠKODA boss.
2012: Eighth sales record in a row – growth on the international markets
In 2012, ŠKODA achieved the eighth sales record in a row: The deliveries increased by 6.8 percent, at 939,200 vehicles (2011: 879,200). By the end of the year, the global market share reached 1.4 percent.
ŠKODA performed in Western Europe significantly better than the overall market: More than 358,400 vehicles were delivered (2011: 361,800). The Western European market share of the brand increased to three percent, after 2.8 percent the previous year. In Eastern Europe, the manufacturer gained by more than a quarter (plus 26.4 percent) and 137,100 vehicles were delivered (2011: 108,400). The ŠKODA share of the market grew from 3.6 to 4.2 percent. ŠKODA was also further successful in Central Europe: More than 124,000 deliveries to customers, a plus of 0.7 percent (2011: 123,200). The market share increased from 18.4 to nearly 18.9 percent. In the home market Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia, ŠKODA was the clear number one of all manufacturers. In the Czech Republic, every third new vehicle sold was a vehicle with the winged arrow.
ŠKODA could again increase sales in the important international growth markets. In Russia, the deliveries increased by 33.7 percent to the new record sales of 99,100 units (2011: 74,100). Thereby, the Czechs increased their sales threefold compared to the overall Russian market. ŠKODA also continued its growth in China in 2012. With 235,700 units, the deliveries were a plus of 7.1 percent compared to the previous year, with 220,100 units. Thus, China was again the strongest individual market for the automobile manufacturer. In India, ŠKODA achieved a sales plus of 14.2 percent, up to 34,300 vehicles (2011: 30,000).
Product portfolio successfully expanded
“Our growth in 2012 is the result of a consistent strategy, a tremendous team performance, efficient dealers and excellent products,” said Vahland. “We build practical cars that are attractive and provide an impressive price-performance ratio. They are defined by spacious, timeless elegant design, best quality, clever details and modern technology. The ŠKODA model range is attractive now as never before”.
The most sold model of the Czech manufacturer in 2012 was again the ŠKODA Octavia. With more than 409,600 units, or plus 5.8 percent, for the first time more than 400,000 ŠKODA Octavia cars were delivered globally (2011: 387,200). “This development indicates anew: The Octavia is the heart of the brand,” said Vahland. Since the beginning of 2013, the new ŠKODA Octavia is on the market. In May, the new ŠKODA Octavia Combi, an estate car, will be introduced.
In second place of the ŠKODA sales ranking for 2012 was once again the ŠKODA Fabia, with 240,500 units (2011: 266,800). The ŠKODA Superb again attained a six figure number for deliveries: 109,100 units of the flagship were sold worldwide (2011: 116,800). With more than 43,000 units, customers in China bought more than a third of all Superbs globally.
The ŠKODA Yeti managed to achieve a strong growth rate in 2012. The sales worldwide increased significantly by 24.3 percent, to 87,400 units (2011: 70,300). In particular, the compact SUV was in great demand in Eastern Europe, with a plus of 98.5 percent. With nearly 17,000 units, ŠKODA even sold more than double the number of Yeti SUVs in Russia than in 2011.
The ŠKODA Roomster also made good progress in 2012. It recorded a plus of 5.4 percent, up to 38,000 deliveries (2011: 36,000).
In its first nearly full year of sale, the compact car ŠKODA Citigo convinced approximately 30,000 customers. Above all, the car captivated through its high level of safety and excellent environmental values. Since the end of 2012, the smallest ŠKODA is also available fuelled by natural gas. The Citigo CNG Green tec has a CO2 emission value of only 79 g/km.
The compact limousine ŠKODA Rapid, newly introduced in the autumn of 2012, attained deliveries of 24,700 in the past year, including the localized version offered in India since the end of 2011. The Rapid completes the ŠKODA product portfolio between the Fabia and the new Octavia. In 2012, the vehicle won numerous national and international awards and, in the Euro NCAP test, obtained the best grade of five stars for its high level of safety.
ŠKODA financial figures 2012
The ŠKODA financial situation indicated a solid base in the business year 2012: The sales revenue increased by 1.7 percent to a new record value of 10.4 billion Euro and, thus, also exceeded the 10 billion mark for the second time after 2011, with 10.3 billion Euro. Simultaneously, with 712 million Euro, the operating profit remained nearly stable at a high level (2011: 743 million Euro). The operating return on sales reached 6.8 percent (2011: 7.2 percent). “Despite the difficult economic environment, ŠKODA has increased the investments required in models and capacities and again achieved an operating profit over the mark of 700 million Euro,” said ŠKODA Chief Financial Officer Winfried Krause. At the same time, the investment by the company increased by approximately 46 percent to 832 million Euro (2011: 568 million Euro). “Thus, we have prepared the ground for the future growth,” stated Krause. The profit before tax was 713 million Euro (previous year 783 million Euro), the profit after tax amounted to 611 million Euro (2011: 652 million Euro).
2013 reflects the model offensive
The year 2013 fully reflects the model offensive for ŠKODA: Thereby, the first half of the year will be characterized by the transformation of production and the ramp-up phase in production associated with the change in models. In the first two months, ŠKODA delivered 136,600 vehicles to customers worldwide (the same period for the previous year: 147,500; -7.4 percent). Also the continuing weakness in some markets in Europe had a dampening effect on the sales.
“The year 2013 will be challenging,” said Prof. Vahland. “With our young model range and the launch of our bestseller Octavia and also with our broad international involvement, we are well equipped. Our model offensive comes at the right time,” stated the Chief Executive Officer. In general, Vahland fundamentally anticipates a “good year for ŠKODA”.
In 2013, the Czech car manufacturer will introduce eight new or revised models to the market: The first highlight was at the beginning of the year with the presentation of the new ŠKODA Octavia as a limousine and estate car at the international Geneva Motor Show. In the coming months, the Octavia Combi 4×4, Octavia RS and natural gas driven Octavia CNG versions will follow. Production start-up of the ŠKODA Octavia will initially be in-house in the Czech Republic, in Mladá Boleslav. The new Octavia will start in Russia in the middle of this year, and at the latest in spring of 2014, the new Octavia will also be built in China.
Since the beginning of March, the ŠKODA Rapid is also produced in the Ukraine, for the market there. The compact limousine of the Czech manufacturer will also be introduced to China in 2013. In 2014, the Rapid will then be introduced to the Russian market.
By 2015, the complete ŠKODA product portfolio will be renewed. With the new models, ŠKODA also consequently continues its internationalization strategy. Thereby, the manufacturer focuses on the markets in Asia and Eastern Europe, but also its core European markets. “We continue to gather momentum in all regions – at home and globally,” said Vahland. The market share in Western Europe should, for example, increase in the medium term from three to four percent, in Europe overall, from almost four to more than five percent.
GreenFuture – Strategy for more sustainability
Within its growth strategy, ŠKODA also wants to strive for more sustainability. The car manufacturer packages all measures under the umbrella of the strategy ‚GreenFuture‘. The objective is to further reduce the consumption and CO2 emissions of the ŠKODA models and, for sustainability, to trim the handling of resources more than at present. As a focal point, by 2018 ŠKODA will develop their own production to be more environmental-friendly by approximately 25 percent. “Green Future” is an integral part of the ŠKODA growth strategy 2018 and the environmental strategy of the Volkswagen concern. “We invest in the green future,” stated Vahland.
ŠKODA AUTO Group in figures:
* ŠKODA brand globally
** Includes ŠKODA AUTO Group production, without production in China, in Bratislava/Slovakia and in Pune/India, but including other brands of the VW Group, such as SEAT, Audi and VW
*** Number of employees without temporary personnel, including apprentices