Sales and Marketing Sales of Vehicles Vehicle Sales by Region Škoda <strong>Auto</strong> Group operates today in more than 90 markets all over the world. Despite flat markets in Central Europe, the Group delivered a total of 549,667 vehicles to customers in <strong>2006</strong>, exceeding half a million vehicles sold for the first time in the long history. This result represents a growth of 11.7%. In <strong>2006</strong>, Škoda <strong>Auto</strong> Group again achieved new sales records in more than 30 markets, among them Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Romania and Ukraine. Škoda <strong>Auto</strong> Group Sales Regions Central Europe Western Europe Eastern Europe Overseas/Asia 38
Czech Republic The overall passenger car market in the Czech Republic contracted in comparison with 2005, confirming the ongoing declining trend. This decline, however, was offset by rapid expansion of the overall market for light commercial vehicles. Group maintained its vehicle sales volume in <strong>2006</strong> and retained its position of domestic market leader in both the passenger car and light commercial vehicle segments. Central Europe Despite overall flat markets in Central Europe, the Group maintained its position as the number-one carmaker in this region. In Poland, the brand’s second largest market in this region, 28,783 vehicles were sold (up 4.1% from 2005), which corresponds to a market share of 12.0%. With this market share the Group continues to be the market leader in Poland. In Slovakia, the Group grew sales by 3.0% (21,380 vehicles), and remained the market leader by a wide margin. Western Europe In its strongest market, Group grew its market share to 2.1% in <strong>2006</strong> (2005 market share was 1.9%). A total of 301,343 vehicles were delivered to customers in the region (+9.1% year-on-year). Over 10% sales growth was recorded in the following Western European countries: Germany, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Switzerland, Finland, Luxembourg. The most vehicles were sold in Germany – 103,931 vehicles total, up 15.3% over 2005. Market share in terms of newly registrated vehicles grew to 3.4% (2005: 3.1%) and Škoda became the numberthree imported car brand. Despite unfavourable development of the overall market in the UK, the Group grew sales here by 1.3% and delivered to customers a total of 38,801 vehicles (<strong>2006</strong> market share was 1.7%). 24,869 vehicles were sold in Spain – an increase of 14.6%. The largest market shares in Western Europe were achieved in Denmark (6.6%) and Austria (5.5%). Vehicles Sales by Model Line In <strong>2006</strong>, the Group sold 243,982 Škoda Fabias (up 3.1%). In the model mix, 123,170 vehicles were Škoda Fabia hatchbacks (+3.1% compared to the previous year), 107,906 units were Škoda Fabia Combis (+7.1% relative to the previous year; Praktik version included) and 12,906 units were Škoda Fabia Sedans (-21.5% relative to the previous year). Eastern Europe The highest growth in sales, in relative terms, was achieved by the Group in Eastern Europe. A total of 70,986 vehicles were delivered in the region, for a year-on-year increase of 52.0%. One of the key markets in the region is Russia, where we succeeded in doubling unit sales to 14,835. In Romania, the strongest market, 20,153 vehicles were sold (+37.8% compared to the previous year) and 19,007 new Škoda vehicles found owners in Ukraine (+64.2% year-on-year). The positive trend established in 2005 continued in other Eastern European countries as well, such as Latvia (2,472 vehicles, +37.9%), Lithuania (2,003 vehicles, +52.3%) and Bulgaria (3,261 vehicles, +28.2%). Overseas/Asia The huge growth potential of the Overseas/Asia market was reflected in the Group’s sales figures here. Deliveries to this region in the year in question totalled 36,541 vehicles, which is up 21.1% over the previous year. India, again the largest market, saw 12,105 vehicles delivered to customers for a year-on-year increase of 35.2%. Other important markets were Turkey (5,725 vehicles compared to 7,261 in 2005), Egypt (3,683 vehicles compared to 2,328 in 2005), and Israel (3,518 vehicles compared to 2,900 in 2005). Sales of the new Škoda Roomster model line commenced in June <strong>2006</strong>. This model was rolled out to Central, Western & Eastern European markets in a phased launch and by the end of the year a total of 14,422 customers in 37 countries had bought Roomsters. 39