Å kodaAuto ANNUAL REPORT 2006 - Skoda Auto

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 2006 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 2006 (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 (2006 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 2006, 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 2006. 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.
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