ŠkodaPortal.cz Simply clever

Mladá Boleslav/Frankfurt am Main, September 2013 – At this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show, ŠKODA confirms its brand position with a new and redesigned model range. Exactly two years ago the manufacturer marked the launch of the largest model offensive in its history. ŠKODA has been continuously overhauling and expanding its range of vehicles since then. This extensive model offensive is the core of ŠKODA's Growth Strategy 2018, which aims to increase the company's worldwide sales to at least 1.5 million vehicles per year by 2018.

"Over the last 24 months, we have put a major effort into driving the ŠKODA Growth Strategy in all areas," says ŠKODA's CEO Winfried Vahland. "We have kept what we promised two years ago. Here at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, we present the preliminary results: a highly attractive, redesigned model range. That's ŠKODA power – from the city car, the Citigo, to our completely redesigned flagships, the Superb and Superb Combi. We will continue the model offensive over the next few years," says Vahland.

ŠKODA's vehicle offering is more attractive than ever before and includes models that have been introduced or completely redesigned since late 2011: the new ŠKODA Citigo; the new ŠKODA Rapid; the new ŠKODA Octavia, Octavia Combi, Octavia Combi 4x4 and Octavia RS; and the completely redesigned ŠKODA Superb and Superb Combi. The newest highlights in Frankfurt will be the new ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback and the completely redesigned ŠKODA Yeti, available in two variations. The existing Fabia and Roomster models began sporting the new logo in early 2013.

Delighting customers with a new model range

ŠKODA's model offensive is the core of the company's growth strategy, which was introduced in 2011. "Our growth strategy has enabled us to set the course for a complete repositioning of our product offering as we capture new car segments and win new customers for our brand," says Vahland.

The company aims to increase its vehicle sales to at least 1.5 million per year by 2018. "Our growth strategy has yielded good results," Vahland continues. From 2010 to 2012 the brand's deliveries increased by 23 per cent or 180,000 vehicles, and the model range grew from five to seven model series. "This makes us one of the few growing volume brands in Europe," says ŠKODA's CEO.

In many markets and segments, the company's success is obvious. ŠKODA is currently the leading foreign brand in the German market and the third-strongest brand overall in the German private customer market, and in 2012, the Octavia Combi even became the best-selling estate in Europe. On top of this, one out of five Octavia Combis sold in 2012 was an all-wheel drive. In Scandinavia, Switzerland and Austria, the traditional European all-wheel markets, ŠKODA is often a first choice for customers. In their home market, the Czech Republic, one out of three new cars sold bears the ŠKODA logo, the winged arrow. In Central Europe, the brand has captured a market share of nearly 19 per cent. In China, ŠKODA's success story is particularly impressive as the country now accounts for one fourth of the brand's worldwide sales, making China ŠKODA's largest single market.

Numerous recent awards for the brand and its models recently reflect the company's success. In 2012 alone, ŠKODA received over 100 national and international awards, and thus far, 2013 looks just as promising. In the UK, 46,000 readers of Auto Express magazine voted the ŠKODA Yeti the car with the most satisfied customers in the UK, with a total of three ŠKODA models ranked in the top six.

2013: Eight new or redesigned ŠKODA models

2013 is the year of new ŠKODA models as the brand launches no less than eight new or completely redesigned ŠKODAs. Customers in the market for ŠKODA's absolute best-seller, the ŠKODA Octavia, have a choice of four attractive versions: the limousine, the Combi, the Combi 4x4, and the Octavia RS power version. "The Octavia is the ŠKODA per se – it is the heart of the brand," says ŠKODA's CEO Vahland. More than ever, the third-generation ŠKODA Octavia confirms its unique position in its class, offering plenty of space, a new design, high functionality, innovative safety and comfort systems, economical engines, numerous 'Simply Clever' solutions, and excellent value. Versions range from the family estate car to the Octavia RS, the fastest Octavia of all time with a top speed of 248 km/h.

Successful debut in new car segments

Conquering new segments is an important aspect of the model offensive, and ŠKODA successfully launched its first small city car, the ŠKODA Citigo, in late 2011. Over 30,000 have been sold to date.

Introduced in the autumn of 2012, the ŠKODA Rapid expands the brand's offering in the segment between Fabia and Octavia.

From October 2013, the ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback will enter markets as the brand's first hatchback model in the high-volume compact segment. The Spaceback is an addition to the brand's model range and introduces the company as a competitor in the compact hatchback market, Europe's strongest car segment.

In entering a new segment, ŠKODA makes a point of always meeting particular standards. Wherever a new ŠKODA makes its appearance, it will always offer 'a little extra car'. Each model provides excellent value, particularly with regard to space and functionality. "We are committed to setting standards in the segments in which we compete," says Vahland. All seven ŠKODA model series offer ample space and numerous 'Simply Clever' solutions, such as the ingenious storage of the ice scraper inside the fuel filler flap. Other values include top vehicle safety ratings, low fuel consumption and emissions, excellent value for the money, and a timelessly elegant design.

A new or redesigned model every six months

In the coming years, ŠKODA's focus will be on growth with new models. A new or completely redesigned ŠKODA will be launched every six months on average. In addition to the Rapid Spaceback and the fresh new Yeti, which is already available in two different variations, the manufacturer is working on a new, larger SUV. "We intend to continue our growth path even in these economically challenging times. New models are the best recipe against weak markets," says Vahland.

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