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Launch of the facelifted Octavia MingRui in China
Octavia MingRui – the most popular Skoda for the Chinese market
Škoda Auto expects significant growth in sales in the Chinese market

The most important China-based motor show this year is going to see the official launch of the facelifted Octavia MingRui in the Chinese market. The Octavia MingRui was the first product of Škoda's portfolio manufactured in the Shanghai Volkswagen plant. Just like in other countries worldwide, the Octavia is Škoda's best-selling model, accounting for about 70 % of the manufacturer's successful sales record in China. The car's market share in its class is currently over 2 %. The Octavia MingRui has been available in China since June 2007, and more than 85,000 cars were sold last year alone. Furthermore, the Shanghai Volkswagen plant has been manufacturing the Fabia JingRui since 2008 and the brand's flagship Superb HaoRui since 2009.

Škoda vehicles manufactured in China are adapted to meet the requirements of local customers who want safe, modern and well-equipped vehicles. Škoda offers timeless design and European quality. In contrast with the models sold in Europe, Škoda vehicles in China are fitted exclusively with petrol engines (1.4 TSI/96 kW (5M/7DSG), 1.6 MPI/77 kW (5M/6A), and 1.8 TSI/118 kW (7DSG) and 2.0 MPI/88 kW (5M /6A)) in combination with a six-speed Tiptronic transmission. The outside design has been freshened by using a larger number of chrome-plated items, and the basic trim level is indeed generous, including e.g. air-conditioning and lightweight alloy wheels in all models. Local customers can thus choose from a wide variety of vehicles adapted to be matching their habits, tastes and preferences.

Škoda Auto is also going to present the facelifted derivatives of the Octavia – the Octavia RS with a two-litre turbo engine with double charging and an automatic DSG transmission and the economical Octavia MingRui GreenLine with a 1.4 TSI unit, also in combination with DSG.

In this connection, Škoda Auto BOD Chairman Reinhard Jung said: "The introduction of the facelifted Octavia MingRui is another important step in our expansion in the prospective Chinese market and is also in line with our growth strategy of launching one key model every year. Last year was a record-breaking one for us again – using a network of already 245 dealers and authorised garages, we delivered altogether 122,556 vehicles to our customers in the Chinese market, it represents an increase of 106,6%. Moreover, we sold over 42.700 cars over the first three months. China is therefore becoming an increasingly important market for Škoda Auto, because it is one of the countries offering the biggest potential for growth in these difficult times ", concluded Jung.

China is currently estimated to become the world's largest automotive market in 2010, with over 10 million cars sold in the country, and Škoda also sees it as market No. 1. The combination of the sales volumes growing so far and the launch of the new models indicates that the brand is likely to achieve another substantial year-on-year increase this year.

Škoda Auto's press conference is going to take place at the brand's exhibition booth in the China International Exhibition Center - New Venue on 23 April, 2010 at 10:30 AM (local time).

The text of this Press Release is available on Škoda Auto's official media server (http://media.skoda-auto.com).

FOR EDITORS: ŠKODA AUTO AND CHINA IN DATA ...

11 April, 2005 – licence agreement signed between Škoda Auto and Shanghai Volkswagen (SVW);
28 March, 2007 – first dealership opened in Shijiazhuang, the capital of the Hebei province. The number of dealers grew by more than 100 by the end of 2007;
March 2007 – start of production of the Octavia Mingrui;
6 June, 2007 – market launch of the Octavia Mingrui;
Summer 2008 – the Octavia Mingrui becomes the official vehicle to accompany the Olympic Torch carriers. Together with Audi and VW, Škoda is part of a fleet of over 6,000 cars available to athletes, officials and accredited journalists;
October 2008 – start of production of the Fabia Jingrui
March 2009 – 100,000 vehicles sold since the start of production;
April 2009 – start of production of the Superb Haorui;
December 2009 – 200,000 vehicles sold since the start of production;

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