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Mladá Boleslav, 22 September 2014 – Over the last two weekends, tens of thousands of people flocked to the first 'Top City Classic Rally China', delighted with ŠKODA's magnificent debut appearance. After the victories in their rating classes at the opening in Beijing, the ŠKODA classics Felicia and Laurin & Klement also showed their best side in Shanghai (19 to 21 September).

This was the first time that the Czech brand had taken part in a rally in China at the 'Top City Classic Rally China'. The two cars ŠKODA entered into the rally were a convertible ŠKODA Felicia built in 1961 and a Laurin & Klement 300 from 1923. The L&K 300 was the oldest vehicle of all those on the starting field.

After the glorious ŠKODA premiere at their first rally weekend in Beijing, where both ŠKODA classics came top in their class a week ago, the ŠKODA Felicia and the Laurin & Klement were also on top form at their appearance in the Shanghai region. The ŠKODA Felicia finished second in the overall ratings, and even took he poll position on the first day of the rally. The Laurin & Klement 300 wood the crowds, being the oldest vehicle on the starting field.

"That was a great ŠKODA Classic debut in China, and, at the same time, the best publicity for the brand," says Andreas Hafemann, President of ŠKODA China. "The enthusiasm the crowds show for our classic cars demonstrates how interested the people are in our history, and reiterates the fascination our customers in China have with our automotive gems. ŠKODA plans to grow further on the Chinese market. Emotional appearances like at this rally strengthen our image over the long term, and make an important contribution to our growth strategy."

The 'Top City Classic Rally China' comprised two uniformity and reliability trials in the regions of Metropolitan Beijing (12 to 14 September) and Shanghai (19 to 21 September). The participants took a 581-kilometre journey from Shanghai, heading south-west to the city of Qiandaohuzhen. The scenic route led the legendary cars over unique natural landscapes, including a drive around the famous 'Thousand Island' Lake – a 573 km2 reservoir.

The first journey – a week earlier – took the drivers on a two-day journey from the capital city Beijing 530km north-west to the popular ski resort in Zhongli.

Both rounds of the 'Top City Rally China' were uniformity and reliability trials. The China Rally has been organised by Motor Presse China in collaboration with the magazines Motor Classic and Auto Motor and Sport.

China is by far ŠKODA's strongest individual market. With 227,000 deliveries in 2013, around one quarter of ŠKODA's total sales worldwide went to customers in China. The Czech manufacturer has been on the Chinese market since 2007 and has since sold more than 1.2 million vehicles there. During the first eight months of this year, the number of deliveries the brand made increased 10.3% to 173,400 vehicles.

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