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ŠKODA AUTO is the largest manufacturing company in Central Europe for the third year in succession.

Mladá Boleslav, 1st October 2013 – That’s the main finding from the Central Europe (CE) Top 500 report, carried out by respected auditing firm Deloitte. It’s the largest study of its kind on the region’s economy, and is based on sales figures from 2012.

ŠKODA is placed third among companies across all industrial sectors for the third time in a row. The CE Top 500 includes a total of 84 Czech companies. ŠKODA’s position as number one reflects the traditional car manufacturer’s outstanding reputation, sales and development.

“ŠKODA is an important part of the Czech economy and has become an internationally recognised volume manufacturer,” said Bohdan Wojnar, ŠKODA Board Member for Human Resources.

This is the seventh time that Deloitte has published the CE Top 500. Companies from a total of 18 countries were included in the study.

In 2012, ŠKODA reported a turnover of €10.4 billion, making it by far the highest-revenue manufacturing company in the area. Delivering 939,200 vehicles, up 6.8% on the 2011 total, the Czech manufacturer achieved a new sales record in 2012. Its operating profit was €712 million.

ŠKODA is set to grow even further in the years ahead. Its well-publicised growth strategy targets an increase in worldwide annual sales to at least 1.5 million by 2018. To achieve that, the most ambitious new product launch in the brand’s 118-year history is underway. In 2013 alone, the brand has launched seven new or completely revised models.

At the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, the company presented two world premieres – the all-new ŠKODA Rapid Spaceback and the completely revised ŠKODA Yeti. This vehicle has now been split into two distinct model ranges, the ŠKODA Yeti for the city and the ŠKODA Yeti Outdoor for the more adventurous owner.

As part of its growth plans, ŠKODA is set to expand in the international emerging markets of China, India and Russia. The company is also investing heavily in its home market to support its position in Europe. In 2012 alone, the company’s fixed asset investments increased by around 45% to a record €832 million. The vast majority of this was allotted to investments in the Czech Republic.

The main production plant in Mladá Boleslav has been extensively modernised and expanded to accommodate production of the ŠKODA Rapid and Rapid Spaceback, plus the new ŠKODA Octavia. The Technology & Development Centre in nearby Cesana is currently being extended. Around €34 million has been invested in the construction of a new Powertrain Centre alone.

The importance of ŠKODA for the Czech economy is reflected in the numerous awards is has received. This year, the manufacturer won the ‘Czech Top 100’ competition for the 16th time. Victory in the individual category of ‘Most Admired Company’ also went to ŠKODA.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

The ŠKODA Superb Estate has driven off with the prestigious 2014 Caravan Club Towcar of the Year title.

Milton Keynes, 25th September 2013 - The ŠKODA Superb Estate also claimed three individual category victories.

The new Octavia repeated the multiple successes of its predecessor, with the SE 1.2 TSI 105PS Hatch model named best towcar in the £16,000 - £20,000 category. The judging panel singled out the Octavia’s pulling power for special praise, commenting: “For such a little engine, the Octavia breezed around the hill route.”

The recently refreshed Superb Estate Elegance 2.0 TDI CR 170PS 4x4 DSG not only triumphed in the £25,000 - £31,000 category, it was also named the winner in the All-Terrain Under 1,800kg category and awarded overall Towcar of the Year.

The judges were impressed by the Superb Estate’s all-round ability, saying: “With a loading limit of 100kg on the roof, 80kg on the towball and a boot that scored maximum marks, it’s a very tough act to follow. You wouldn’t know you were towing a caravan!”

Announcing the award winners, Grenville Chamberlain, Caravan Club Chairman, added, “The Club extends its congratulations to all the winners in this competition. Special acclaim goes to the terrific ŠKODA Superb, which demonstrated that it was just about as good as it gets.”

Commenting on the latest awards, Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK said: “We’re delighted to receive these important awards from the Caravan Club. At ŠKODA, we’re always working hard to meet the needs of caravan owners and understand the unique requirements that go into making a great towcar.”

ŠKODA has enjoyed considerable success in previous Caravan Club Towcar of the Year awards, having won the overall title in 2010 for the Superb, and scored category victories for the Fabia, Yeti and Octavia.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

You might think it strange but our founders started by making push bikes! In Czechoslovakia during December 1895, keen cyclists Vaclav Laurin (a mechanic) and Vaclav Klement (a bookseller) started designing and manufacturing bicycles. At that time, most Czechs were fervently patriotic, so they called their first company Slavia. Their bicycles sold well, so Laurin and Klement decided to take the next step – and add motors. They started making motorbikes in 1899, changed the name of their company to the Laurin & Klement Co and chalked up several racing victories. While making nearly 4,000 motorbikes of various types, they started experimenting with a new phenomenon – the car - which began to gradually replace motorbikes from 1905 on.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

By folding the rear seat backrests, the Superb's boot space can be increased from an already impressive 595 litres up to an astonishing 1,700 litres. Depending on the trim and body variant the Superb's boot can also feature:

- Attaching eyelets
- 12V socket
- Folding hooks
- Light
- Luggage compartment tray

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

All new vehicles supplied by ŠKODA UK are provided with a three year unlimited mileage warranty against defects in the paintwork. Any manufacturing defect in the paint finish or application should be reported to an appointed ŠKODA retailer or authorised repairer where it will be rectified at no cost.

In addition ŠKODA UK are pleased to provide an anti-perforation warranty for a minimum of 10 years (please refer to your owners manual for specific details). This offers assurance that any defect in the corrosion protection applied to body panels, that results in perforation corrosion is rectified at no cost.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

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