Skoda sees 9 percent YoY growth in global sales in December 2019 but a 0.9 percent YoY decline in 2019. India registers 15,100 vehicles in 2019 and sees 17 percent YoY growth in December 2019.
14 Jan 2020 | 4185 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Skoda delivered 1.24 million vehicles to customers around the world in 2019. This is the sixth time in a row that the manufacturer has delivered more than one million vehicles. Overall, the result is 0.9 percent below last year’s level (2018: 1.25 million vehicles). Global deliveries in December increased by 9.1 ...
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Skoda delivered 1.24 million vehicles to customers around the world in 2019. This is the sixth time in a row that the manufacturer has delivered more than one million vehicles. Overall, the result is 0.9 percent below last year’s level (2018: 1.25 million vehicles). Global deliveries in December increased by 9.1 percent to 114,700 vehicles compared to the same period last year.
Skoda attributes this shrink in global sales figures to the decline of the Chinese car market. In the rest of the world, Skoda increased its deliveries by 5.3 percent to 960,700 vehicles, and in Europe (+5.8%) and Russia (+8.8%) the car manufacturer achieved another record year. Global deliveries in December increased by 9.1 percent to 114,700 vehicles compared to the same period last year. The fourth-generation Octavia will enter the markets in 2020, and series production of the first vehicle based on the Modular Electric Platform (MEB) will also be launched.
Skoda Auto CEO Bernhard Maier emphasises: “The difficult geopolitical and economic conditions and the resulting uncertainties on the world markets presented us with numerous challenges in 2019. Despite these rough waters, Skoda remains on course. I would like to thank our customers for their trust in our products and our great Skoda team for their tremendous commitment.”
Alain Favey, Skoda Auto board member for sales and marketing, adds: “With the Scala, the Kamiq, the new Superb iV with plug-in hybrid drive and the introduction of the new Octavia, we successfully modernised and expanded our attractive model range last year. Our vehicles inspire customers around the world with superior space, high functionality, forward-looking design, Simply Clever ideas and a convincing price-performance ratio.”
Skoda has reportedly sold 520,500 vehicles in Western Europe in 2019, an increase of 7 percent compared to the previous year (January to December 2018: 486,400 vehicles). Deliveries in December for the region rose by 23 percent to 42,200 vehicles compared to the same month last year (December 2018: 34,300 vehicles). In Germany, the brand’s second-largest single market, deliveries increased by 8.3 percent to 191,200 vehicles in 2019 (2018: 176,600 vehicles). In 2019, the car manufacturer achieved double-digit growth in France (37,200 vehicles; +16.2%), Switzerland (22,600 vehicles; +27.5%), the Netherlands (19,200 vehicles; +12.8%) and Denmark (15,600 vehicles; +14.6%).
Skoda delivered 215,800 vehicles in Central Europe last year, an increase of 1.3 percent over the same period last year (2018: 212,900 vehicles). In December, deliveries were up 13.2 percent to 17,700 vehicles compared to the same month last year (December 2018: 15,600 vehicles). In Skoda’s home market, the Czech Republic, the brand recorded 94,200 deliveries in 2019 (2018: 93,600 vehicles; +0.6%). In Croatia, the manufacturer increased vehicle deliveries by 11.3 percent to 5,900 vehicles (2018: 5,300 vehicles).
In Eastern Europe excluding Russia, 50,200 vehicle deliveries represents an increase of 8.9 percent over last year (2018: 46,100 vehicles). Skoda delivered 4,300 vehicles in December (December 2018: 3,700 vehicles; +16.8%). In 2019, Skoda recorded double-digit growth in Ukraine (6,200 vehicles; +16.8%) and Kazakhstan (1,000 vehicles; +27.5%).
In Russia, Skoda delivered 88,600 vehicles last year, an increase of 8.8 percent compared to the previous year (2018: 81,500 vehicles). Deliveries also increased in December: 9,200 deliveries correspond to an increase of 12.1% compared to the same month last year (December 2018: 8,200 vehicles).
Deliveries in China, the world’s largest single market, were 17.3 percent below the previous year’s level at 282,000 vehicles (2018: 341,000 vehicles). The reason is the continued decline of the Chinese passenger car market, which is still characterised by market uncertainty and buying restraint. In December, Skoda recorded 34,200 deliveries.
In India, Skoda delivered a total of 15,100 vehicles in 2019 (2018: 17,200 vehicles; -12.3%). The car manufacturer was able to grow in December, delivering 1,800 vehicles, which is 17.2 percent above the level of the same period last year (December 2018: 1,500 vehicles).