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Geneva/Mladá Boleslav, March 2013 – ŠKODA boldly continues model offensive in 2013. The new ŠKODA Octavia Combi will be celebrating its world premiere in early March at the International Motor Show in Geneva. The company will also be introducing its all-wheel drive version of the ŠKODA Octavia Combi 4×4. It will also be the first time the new ŠKODA Octavia limousine is exhibited at a motor show. The ŠKODA Octavia is by far the brand's best-selling model. ŠKODA intends to continue to develop its international position with its third generation of limousines and estates. ŠKODA delivered 939,200 vehicles to its customers in 2012, which is a new sales record (growth of 6.8 per cent compared to 2011).

"The Octavia is ŠKODA's best-selling model – the heart of the brand," says ŠKODA CEO Winfried Vahland. "Just a few weeks after the world premiere of the new ŠKODA Octavia limousine, we will be launching the new ŠKODA Octavia Combi and ŠKODA Octavia Combi 4×4 in Geneva. The third generation of this ŠKODA bestseller sets standards regarding its space offering, quality, design, technology, and price-value ratio. Like the Octavia limousine, the Combi is an enormous leap forward and is now, more than ever, a car with middle-class qualities at a compact car price. With the new ŠKODA Octavia and our broad and modern range of cars, we have a good basis to strengthen our brand position in difficult markets as well, " states Vahland.

The Combi is extremely important for the success of the ŠKODA Octavia and therefore the brand as a whole. The sale of over 1.3 million units and almost 3.8 million units worldwide can be attributed to the ŠKODA Octavia today. The ŠKODA Octavia Combi has become a bestseller since its market launch in 1998, especially in Europe. 23.7 per cent of all European sales of the ŠKODA brand in 2012 were attributed to the ŠKODA Octavia Combi, and 25.2 per cent in Western Europe. In Germany, Europe's largest ŠKODA market and the second largest market after China worldwide, the share of Octavia Combi sales were more than 92 per cent in 2012. The ŠKODA Octavia Combi was the bestselling import car in Germany last year, with 42,200 car registrations. In Switzerland, the ŠKODA Octavia Combi was the top selling car within the Combi range with 9,446 delivered vehicles.

ŠKODA Octavia Combi sets standards in the compact estate segment

Whether front-wheel drive or a 4×4, the new ŠKODA Octavia Combi as well as the limousine stands for all of the brand's best qualities: timeless and elegant design, ample space for passengers and cargo, quality, precise design, lots of 'Simply Clever' details, innovative technology and an outstanding price-value ratio. "The new ŠKODA Octavia Combi is a great addition to the compact estate segment," states Werner Eichhorn, ŠKODA board member for sales and marketing. "The car perfectly combines high levels of functionality with dynamic elegance, making it the perfect answer to the increasing customer demands in this vehicle class that is growing so fast worldwide and especially in Europe," states Eichhorn.

The new ŠKODA Octavia Combi is not only considerably larger than its predecessor, it also sets new benchmarks in terms of room. Compared to the existing Octavia Combi, boot volume has grown by five litres, or twenty more than in the limousine. With the rear seats folded down, loading volume in the Combi increases to an impressive 1,740 litres (hitherto 1,655 litres). Many 'Simply Clever' details also play a role here; for example, there is a double floor in the cargo area that, for the first time ever, is variably adjustable. The design is dynamic and timelessly elegant. The car has a refined appearance with clear lines, precision and perfect proportions. In addition, the new ŠKODA Octavia Combi features the latest technology. With regard to safety, there are numerous electronic assistance systems as well as numerous electronic comfort, infotainment and navigation systems. The newly developed engines are up to 17 per cent more fuel-efficient than those of the previous generation. The range of engines available for the Octavia Combi comprises four petrol and four diesel engines, including a fuel efficient GreenLine version with CO2 emissions of only 87 g/km. Three different engines are available for the Octavia Combi 4×4, which features an all-wheel drive with a fifth generation Haldex clutch.

2018 growth strategy continues to be successful – record sales in 2012

The new ŠKODA Octavia is a key element of the ŠKODA growth strategy. ŠKODA intends to increase its worldwide sales to at least 1.5 million cars per year by 2018. To do this, the company has launched the largest model offensive in its corporate history, introducing three completely newly developed vehicles on the market in the new ŠKODA Octavia as well as the new Citigo and Rapid models in the last twelve months alone. "By 2015 we will be launching a new or revised ŠKODA model about every six months," says Vahland. "Our model offensive is the best recipe against weak markets."

ŠKODA achieved a new sales record with 939,200 delivered vehicles in 2012. Deliveries to customers increased by 6.8 per cent compared to 2011.

2013 characterized by the model offensive – growth strategy at a glance

For ŠKODA, 2013 will be all about the model offensive. In all, ŠKODA is to launch eight new or revised vehicles this year. The first half of the year will be marked by the production start-up and sales launch of the new ŠKODA Octavia. ŠKODA wants to continue to expand its international market position throughout the entire year. "2013 will not be easy," says Winfried Vahland. "We will continue to expand at top speed and introduce new models even in these economically difficult times."

New attractive special edition models: Fabia Combi Monte Carlo and Roomster Noire

The model offensive is being accompanied by attractive new special edition models. ŠKODA will be exhibiting the Fabia Combi Monte Carlo and the Roomster Noire in Geneva for the first time.

Like the Fabia Monte Carlo, the ŠKODA Fabia Combi Monte Carlo is an homage to the brand's 112-year history of successes in motor sports. The special edition model is based on the Ambiente design package and has a sports suspension. The black plastic guards with a glossy finish lining the lower part of the vehicle, black centre pillars and black 16" Comet design alloy wheels emphasize the car's sporty character. The black-tinted headlights, front grille, rear-view mirrors, and the roof rack continue the car's black theme. The car's roofline ends as a large integrated rear spoiler. The windows are tinted black (SunSet package). The Fabia Combi Monte Carlo comes in eight colours: Corrida Red, Brilliant Silver, Candy White, Black Magic, Cappuccino Beige, Sprint Yellow, Steel Grey and Race Blue. All of the current Fabia engines area available in the special edition model. The interior features black and red Sports seats. The roof lining and floor are also black. The Fabia Monte Carlo Combi also features a small leather package; the 3 spoke steering wheel, emergency brake handle and gearshift knob feature perforated leather and red stitching. The door sill panels and pedals are stainless steel.

The special edition ŠKODA Roomster Noire model will also be premiering in Geneva. The base model is the Ambition design package, and the engines are similar to the currently available Roomster engines. The Roomster Noire features tinted windows and the SunSet package, black 16' Comet design light alloy wheels, black-tinted headlights and black fog lights. The front grill and rear-view mirrors are also painted black. There is a black spoiler on the front bumper, and a black diffusor on the rear bumper. The centre pillars are sheeted in black. It comes in five colours: Corrida Red, Brilliant Silver, Candy White, Black Magic and Cappuccino Beige. Optionally, a black roof can be chosen. Similar to the ŠKODA Fabia Combi Monte Carlo, the interior of the ŠKODA Roomster Noire is features black and red Sports seats and the small leather package (the 3 spoke steering wheel, emergency brake handle and gear shift knob are covered in leather and stitched with red seams). The front door sill panels and pedals are also stainless steel.

Investments in international markets and the domestic Czech market

To aid its growth plans, ŠKODA has been investing in the international markets and at home in the Czech Republic, focusing especially on the growth markets of China, Russia and India. In China, the brand will be launching the Chinese version of the ŠKODA Rapid this year and later the new ŠKODA Octavia. In Russia, the ŠKODA Yeti compact SUV has been coming off the production line of the Russian automobile plant in Nizhny Novgorod for the past several weeks. In the future, the new ŠKODA Octavia will also be manufactured for the Russian market in Nizhny Novgorod. The production start is scheduled for the middle of 2013. Production of the new ŠKODA Rapid is planned for the Russian market starting in the spring of 2014. In India, the Rapid compact limousine, among other vehicles, has been coming off the production line at Pune plant since late 2011.

ŠKODA has also invested heavily in its Czech production sites. A few months ago, the company laid the foundation stone for a new assembly testing centre as part of its expansion of its existing technology and development centre in Česana near the company's headquarters in Mladá Boleslav. It has also invested heavily in the area of production, modernising and expanding the capacity in key production areas at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav to prepare for the Rapid and the new Octavia models. ŠKODA has been manufacturing double-clutch transmissions for Volkswagen Group at its Vrchlabí production plant since the middle of October 2012, expanding the facility into a high-tech site within the span of one year.

Motor sports: ŠKODA to race in the WRC-2 and World Rally Championship

ŠKODA continues to step on the accelerator in international rally racing. To start off the 2013 WRC-2 season, the German driving team of Sepp Wiegand and Frank Christian won the legendary Monte Carlo Rally in the WRC-2 world championship category in a ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000. Two Finnish drivers, Esapekka Lappi and Janne Ferm, take part in selected WRC-2 races as works drivers for ŠKODA Motorsport in the ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000. Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler make up the second ŠKODA factory team. They will be participating in selected races of the European Rally Championship (ERC).

The 2012 season became one of the most successful in ŠKODA motor sport history, with the team winning its third consecutive IRC title in the manufacturers' category. This makes ŠKODA the most successful brand in the history of the IRC. ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 driver Andreas Mikkelsen was crowned IRC champion for the third year in a row. ŠKODA factory driver Juho Hänninen and his co-driver Mikko Markkula won the European Rally Championship early on, and ŠKODA chalked up additional wins in an extremely successful 2012 rally season with its victory in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) as well as six national rally championships (Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Turkey and Bulgaria).

ŠKODA at the 83rd International Motor Show 2013 in Geneva:

› ŠKODA stand: PALEXPO Convention Center in Geneva, hall 2, stand 2160
› ŠKODA floor space: 2,000 m2 on two levels
› ŠKODA press conference: March 5, 2013, 10:00 a.m.
› Number of exhibited ŠKODA vehicles on the first press day: 10 vehicles (including the new ŠKODA Octavia: six Octavia limousines, two Octavia Combis, two Octavia Combi 4×4s)
› Number of exhibited ŠKODA vehicles on the second press day: 13 vehicles (three Octavia limousines, two Octavia Combis, two Rapids, two Citigos, one Yeti L&K, one Superb Combi L&K, one Fabia Combi Monte Carlo, and one Roomster Noire)
› Number of exhibited ŠKODA vehicles on general-public days: 13 vehicles (two Octavia limousines, two Octavia Combis, two Rapids, two Citigos, one Yeti L&K, one Superb Combi L&K, one Fabia Combi Monte Carlo, and one Roomster Noire)
› Press days: March 5-6, 2013
› General-public days: March 8-17, 2013

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