Prague - Škoda Auto, the biggest Czech carmaker, reported record sales, revenues, and profits for 2011. The data were released at the company's annual press conference.
Škoda's consolidated profit went up 82 percent to CZK 16.1 billion (EUR 657 million), revenues grew 15 percent to CZK 252.6 billion (EUR 10.3 billion).
The revenue growth was driven above all by higher sales of the Yeti, Superb and Octavia models," said Škoda Auto's financial director Winfried Krause.
In January 2012, the company announced that it sold record 879,200 cars in 2011, which represents a year-on-year increase of 15 percent. Škoda's share of the global market reached 1.4 percent.
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Highest growth in BRICs
The company reported highest growth in the booming Russian car market, where its sales rose 63 percent to 74,000 cars. In the equally promising Indian car market, Škoda's sales grew 50 percent to 30,000 cars. In China and Eastern Europe, Škoda's sales increased by 20 percent.
Octavia consolidated its position as Škoda's best-selling model. The model was bought by 390,000 customers in 2011, which is 11 percent more than in 2010. The number two is Fabia with 266,800 sold cars (16.5 percent increase).
Škoda's flagship Superb was acquired by 117,000 people in 2011, which means a 18 percent increase.
The largest increase in sales was reported by the Yeti SUVI - the 70,000 sold cars represents a one-third increase.
In 2011, Škoda invested massively into new products and increasing its production capacity.
According to Škoda CEO Winfried Vahland, the automaker is set to continue its fast growth.
The company created 1,850 new jobs in 2011, and was employing 26,565 people all over the world.
