• ŠKODA announces record sales, revenue and profit for the first six months of 2011
• 20% growth when compared to the same period of 2010
• 454,698 vehicles delivered year-to-date

ŠKODA is celebrating its most successful six months of trading following record sales and profit in the first six months of 2011. Sales revenue rose more than a quarter (+ 25.7%) to 5.4 billion EUR between January and June 2011. During the same period, operating profit increased 81.5% to 412 million EUR. The number of vehicles delivered to customers year-to-date has continued to increase, reaching 454,698, a year-on-year increase of 20.1% (up from 378,747 units).

“In the first six months of this year, ŠKODA experienced rapid growth in all areas,” says the Chairman of the Board of ŠKODA, Prof. Dr. H.C. Winfried Vahland. “The team is successfully delivering the growth strategy which we launched last year. We will continue to build on our success in the second half of 2011 and in subsequent years, with the clear goal of increasing worldwide sales to at least 1.5 million units a year by 2018.” In order to deliver this growth, ŠKODA will expand its presence in international markets as well as building on the current model range. “We will begin to broaden our product offering with the launch of the ŠKODA Citycar later this year,” said Dr. Vahland.

The ŠKODA board member for Commercial Affairs, Winfried Krause, commented: “In the first half of 2011, ŠKODA continued to strengthen its financial position and build market share globally. This is a direct result of a significant increase in sales and an improved model range. ŠKODA has built a solid financial foundation for ambitious growth planned in the coming years.”

Overall sales revenue for the Czech manufacturer rose 25.7% to 5.4 billion EUR (up from 4.3 billion EUR in 2010). Operating profit was up 81.5% when compared with the same period last year, reaching 412 million EUR (227 million EUR recorded in 2010).

Profit before income tax amounted to 388 million EUR, an increase of 81.3% year-on-year. Net liquidity was also up, as ŠKODA reported 2.0 billion EUR in the first six months of the year (previously 1.6 billion EUR recorded on December 31^st, 2010).

ŠKODA continues to invest in its future, having already injected 118 million EUR into growth plans in 2011. The funds were used to develop new models as well as for the expansion of production capacities at the Czech plants.

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The thing is though Colin, if they pulled their finger out, and got rid of these stupid waiting lists for new cars, they would sell many more & make even bigger profits. It is now beyond a joke how long you have to wait for a new Skoda, when with most rival brands you can just walk into a showroom, slap your order down, and less than 2 weeks later, drive off in your brand new car.

They are now VW's cash cow, and I actually think they should kill off the Seat brand, and turn the factory over to producing Skodas. It would help ease the waiting times for starters.

The waiting times are a combination of factors. It's not just the UK that is suffering and it's not just Skoda. Some of the things I've heard in relation to this:

Production rates were dwindling.

Scrappage was beyond doubt good for the traders and manufacturers.

Economic downturn saw people buying value yet still wanting quality.

Certain engines appeal to certain Euro countries more, local tax laws and they are actually commonalities over the EU too.

Orders came in from all over Europe.

Skoda are increasing production capacity by over 10% this year.

In one day Skoda sold almost a months estimate of cars.

Delays are not good, Skoda are aware of the issues.

I agree to an extent though it's not about more, get the basics right first and all I'm adding is that in no small part success and timing on this issue have not helped each other out.

I personally would rather wait for my car than have it built at a Seat factory though.

there are delays right across the group for certain engines..I suppose its inevitable when you use common engines across 4 car ranges

The waiting times are a combination of factors. It's not just the UK that is suffering and it's not just Skoda. Some of the things I've heard in relation to this:Production rates were dwindling.Scrappage was beyond doubt good for the traders and manufacturers. Economic downturn saw people buying value yet still wanting quality.Certain engines appeal to certain Euro countries more, local tax laws and they are actually commonalities over the EU too.Orders came in from all over Europe.Skoda are increasing production capacity by over 10% this year.In one day Skoda sold almost a months estimate of cars.Delays are not good, Skoda are aware of the issues. I agree to an extent though it's not about more, get the basics right first and all I'm adding is that in no small part success and timing on this issue have not helped each other out.I personally would rather wait for my car than have it built at a Seat factory though.

The problem is not so much the waiting time it is the complete lottery over build dates. Having had estimated build dates of wk 43, then 41 then 38 & now no estimated build date for my Superb with my dealer saying its probably 2012 I feel like cancelling the order. What Skoda need to do is give their customers an achievable build estimate within, say 3 weeks of ordering, and stick to it. Other manufacturers can and do manage it so why can't Skoda. In my opinion they are giving dealers completely unrealistic, i.e. optimistic, lead times to hook the customers in the hope that when they get the bad news they will not cancel. This practice may not be unlawful but it is unethical.

I feel sorry for the dealers, and that is not an easy thing to say, who have to explain to irate customers that they do not know what is happening to their order and that they cannot get any useful information from Skoda UK. I have a friend that has had a Fabia on order since February. His dealer is trying to get information from Skoda in Czech Republic. To do this he has to email Skoda UK who pass the email on to VAG HQ who may possibly pass it on th Skoda HQ - farcical.

The solution is simple, just give the dealers and customers realistic estimated lead times even if they are many months.

Chris

The problem is not so much the waiting time it is the complete lottery over build dates. Having had estimated build dates of wk 43, then 41 then 38 & now no estimated build date for my Superb with my dealer saying its probably 2012 I feel like cancelling the order. What Skoda need to do is give their customers an achievable build estimate within, say 3 weeks of ordering, and stick to it. Other manufacturers can and do manage it so why can't Skoda. In my opinion they are giving dealers completely unrealistic, i.e. optimistic, lead times to hook the customers in the hope that when they get the bad news they will not cancel. This practice may not be unlawful but it is unethical.

I feel sorry for the dealers, and that is not an easy thing to say, who have to explain to irate customers that they do not know what is happening to their order and that they cannot get any useful information from Skoda UK. I have a friend that has had a Fabia on order since February. His dealer is trying to get information from Skoda in Czech Republic. To do this he has to email Skoda UK who pass the email on to VAG HQ who may possibly pass it on th Skoda HQ - farcical.

The solution is simple, just give the dealers and customers realistic estimated lead times even if they are many months.

Chris

I think that for the main part Skoda UK, have to accept a large part of the blame for the way things are being handled.

I can only personally speak for Ireland, but I know that about 2 weeks after your order is placed, a dealer can look this order up on his system, and see what build date is allocated, ( this may change slightly, depending on circumstances, but is usually fairly accurate). Also I believe that Skoda Irl, prebooked build slots across the range for different months, and this helps somewhat, If Skoda UK did not do this, or did not prebook enough slots, they now find themselves competing with all others, for any available slots.

An example at present would be of a Yeti, ordered now, will have a delivery date before in October, ( which is in the range of 8 weeks, as promised). I have also experience of Dealers contacting VAG directly, when questioned over delivery / location of a car, and receiving a complete print out very quickly , listing productin date to actual location, ( so it can be done if the dealer really wants to).

I feel sorry for the dealers, and that is not an easy thing to say, who have to explain to irate customers that they do not know what is happening to their order and that they cannot get any useful information from Skoda UK. I have a friend that has had a Fabia on order since February. His dealer is trying to get information from Skoda in Czech Republic. To do this he has to email Skoda UK who pass the email on to VAG HQ who may possibly pass it on th Skoda HQ - farcical.

The solution is simple, just give the dealers and customers realistic estimated lead times even if they are many months.

Chris

When I ordered my new vrs in April I was given a build date within a week or two. All I done was call Skoda uk and they took my name and the dealer I ordered from and that was it. They gave me my order number which my dealer did not give me and gave me my build date but asked me to call again at the end of the week to make sure it was confirmed. It's possible your friends dealer is talking crap as I'm sure all he has to do is check his ordering system for an update or just call Skoda uk