2011SIMPLY THE BEST YEAR EVER!
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ŠKODA UK posts record UK registrations of over 45,000 cars
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Milestone market share of 2.32% in the UK
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Fleet sales reach 21,986, breaking through the 2% barrier for the first time
ŠKODA UK is celebrating a happy new year after the company recorded its highest annual new car registrations ever for the third year running. The new benchmark is 45,061, up from 41,240 (+9.2%) in 2010.
But it’s not just that one headline figure that is giving cause for celebration. Whichever way you look at 2011’s sales total, ŠKODA UK has set new standards.
Every vehicle in the ŠKODA range – Fabia, Octavia, Superb, Yeti and Roomster – has played its part in the success. Each model’s total is up on 2010.
The star performers were the critically acclaimed flagship Superb and the Yeti crossover. Since it went on sale in 2008, sales of the Superb have continued to grow and 2011 was its best year ever with 4,439 registrations. That easily outperformed its previous highest, 3,400 in 2010 (+30%). The Yeti’s blend of practicality, versatility and go-anywhere attitude means it also had a record year in 2011, with 5,800 (+32%) registrations. The previous best was 4,400 in 2010.
The overall total of 45,061 means ŠKODA’s share of the UK new car market has grown from 2.03% to 2.32% in a single year – an astonishing achievement.
ŠKODA UK is also celebrating a record year in fleet, with sales of 21,899, up from 16,763 in 2010 (+30%). It means 2011 is the first time ŠKODA UK has broken through the 2% barrier in the fleet sector, and now stands at 2.2% market share.
Official sales of ŠKODA replacement parts and owner accessories – available through the retail network – exceeded £36 million in 2011. That was another record total.
ŠKODA’s achievements in the customer care arena were equally impressive. Yet again, 2011 saw outstanding results in the JD Power and Auto Express Driver Power surveys. The brand also received 18 independent awards.
Investment in broadening the ambition of the customer communications strategy also paid dividends. In 2011 ŠKODA UK placed more TV and national print campaigns than in any other year and expanded its digital presence. The brand also made its impressive debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Motorsport continues to be a successful venture, with ŠKODA winning the manufacturers’ championship in the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) series, and ŠKODA UK Motorsport’s Andreas Mikkelsen clinching the drivers’ IRC championship at the season’s finale in Cyprus in November.
If all that wasn’t enough, ŠKODA UK’s trip to the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats in August resulted in the setting of a completely different type of record, as a specially prepared Octavia vRS passed through a timed mile at 227.080mph – making it the fastest 2-litre supercharged production car ever.
Robert Hazelwood, ŠKODA UK Brand Director, said 2011 had undoubtedly been a year of highs: “Our sales success is testament to the hard work of everyone involved in the brand and they deserve a huge thank you. Customers recognise ŠKODA as a brand that delivers great quality cars at outstanding value for money, delivered and serviced by a fantastic retailer network. The next 12 months will be equally impressive for ŠKODA as we launch two new products that will allow us to compete in new market segments.”
ŠKODA Auto achieved its best ever sales result in 2011 with 875,000 vehicles sold, representing an increase of 15% when compared with 2010 (762,000). With big investment for growth in the coming years, ŠKODAintends to raise its worldwide sales to at least 1.5 million cars per year by 2018.
