A ?kodA year in review - Skoda Auto

InternationalisationBreaking downbordersDynamic expansion in growth markets andmajor challenges in Western Europe – that is the currentscenario in the automotive sector. The fast-growing marketsof China, India and Russia are a decisive factor.In a situation like this, long-term success depends on a clear strategy:ŠKODA AUTO is building on the Volkswagen Group’ssolid foundation in these countries – with its ambitious modeloffensive and international growth strategy,the course is set for successful global development.The figures are impressive: By the end of2012, five years after the first ŠKODA rolledoff the assembly line at Shanghai Volkswagen,the brand cracked the 750,000-deliveriesmark on the Chinese market. About235,700 units were sold in 2012 alone – anincrease of more than seven per cent overthe previous year and more than eight timesthe volume of customer deliveries just fiveyears ago. In other words, China has becomethe largest single market for ŠKODA in ashort period of time and will play a crucialrole in reaching its sales goal of at least 1.5million ŠKODA vehicles per year by 2018.This development is quite remarkable, consideringthat ŠKODA has launched only itsŠKODA Fabia, ŠKODA Octavia and ŠKODASuperb models in China so far. ŠKODA Chairmanof the Board of Management Prof. Dr.h.c. Winfried Vahland refers to this developmentas a “unique success story”. Three additionalmodels with huge sales potential willalso be introduced onto the Chinese marketin 2013: the new ŠKODA Rapid, the ŠKODASuperb Combi and the ŠKODA Yeti. With atotal of five model series then available,ŠKODA aims to increase its market share andset new sales records. This will also require30 2012 – A Škoda year in review