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ŠKODA AUTO increases revenues and deliveries

Sales revenue rise to 7.9 billion euros in the first nine months of 2012
Deliveries grow to 717,200 units in the same period
Operating profit is 567 million euros through September
Significant investment in expansion and renewal of model range

Czech carmaker ŠKODA’s sales revenue rose by 3.1% in the period of January - September 2012, reaching 7.9 billion euros (previous year: 7.6 billion euros). At the same time, deliveries to customers rose by 7.9% to approx 717,200. At 567 million euros (September 30th, 2011: 575 million euros) the operating profit was on a par with last year’s figure also.

“ŠKODA is staying its growth course,” says ŠKODA CEO Winfried Vahland. “We can see that the company’s growth strategy is bringing tangible results. We delivered more cars in the first nine months and raised our revenues despite some difficult market conditions,” said Vahland. “The Citigo and the Rapid have successfully rung in the largest model offensive in ŠKODA’s history. We will continue on this road, further increasing our efforts next year,” said Vahland.

As ŠKODA CFO Winfried Krause explains: “In the first three quarters of the year, ŠKODA implemented the necessary investment in models and capacity in a difficult business environment. ŠKODA also maintained operating profit at a steadily high level. Given increasing economic headwinds, we will need to manage costs strictly. We have a solid basis on which to continue executing our 2018 growth strategy.”

Investments in new models and in expanding production capacity, the precondition for the model offensive, grew to 525 million euros during the first nine months of 2012. Net liquidity as of the 30th September was in excess of 1.9 billion euros.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

ŠKODA wins its third consecutive IRC Manufacturers title

With 27 wins, ŠKODA is the most successful brand in the history of the IRC
With 11 wins, factory driver Juho Hänninen is the most successful driver in the IRC
With 7 wins, his teammate Jan Kopecký is the second most successful driver in the history of the IRC
ŠKODA Motorsport's factory drivers have won three championship titles this year
San Remo Rally: Kopecký second, Hänninen did not finish

ŠKODA is celebrating another great achievement after winning its third consecutive Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) Manufacturers title. The brand has sealed its hat-trick of titles at the San Remo Rally, the penultimate event of this year´s IRC.

With 27 wins, ŠKODA has become the most successful brand in the IRC and, with 11 wins, Juho Hänninen & Mikko Markkula are the most successful crew. Furthermore, Hänninen & Markkula have become the European Champions and Kopecký & Dresler the Czech Champions this year.

Summarising the brand´s successful appearance in the IRC, Head of ŠKODA Motorsport Michal Hrabánek says: “We have won a valuable hat-trick of IRC titles and made a historic achievement with the ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 by becoming the most successful brand of the IRC Championship. Furthermore, our drivers have achieved the largest number of victories. This is indeed the best reward for all the team members in return for the top-class work they have been putting in throughout this successful period. The end of this season is still ahead of us, though, and our ambition is to win also the title in Drivers category.”

With 11 wins, Juho Hänninen is the most successful driver in the history of the IRC: “I am glad that we have helped ŠKODA achieve this great hat-trick of titles by winning three events this year (Ireland, Belgium, Czech Republic). We have had an excellent car all the time, and that was the key to our success.” Juho Hänninen & Mikko Markkula are the only crew worldwide to have won the IRC (2010), the World Championship (SWRC, 2011) and the European Championship (2012).

Jan Kopecký, three times IRC vice-champion in 2009, 2010 and 2011, has won two IRC events this year – in the Canary Islands and Sicily: “I am really grateful for the opportunity to be part of this great team and drive this superb car. Considering the tough competition, i.e. the existing number of top-class drivers, we are very pleased with the results we have achieved.” Jan Kopecký in a ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 has comfortably won this year’s Czech Rally Championship.

Andreas Mikkelsen of ŠKODA UK Motorsport tops the current standings before the final IRC event that is scheduled to take place in Cyprus on the 2nd - 4th November, and is thus quite likely to repeat his 2011 victory in the Drivers category again this year. Just like last year, the Cyprus Rally offers a double number of points for grabs. Mikkelsen was fastest in the Azores Islands and Romania this year.

Drivers of ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000s celebrated the title in the last two years – Juho Hänninen and Mikko Markkula in 2010 and Andreas Mikkelsen & Ola Floene last year. Jan Kopecký & Pavel Dresler finished second in San Remo to achieve their best result in this rally that is usually dominated by home drivers. Juho Hänninen and Mikko Markkula retired after an accident in Stage 4.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Skoda Roomster review by TopGear

Despite the comedy looks, we have a soft spot for the Skoda Roomster. It neatly bridges the gap between the vast but utilitarian Kangoo/Berlingo brigade and the mini-MPVs.

Comfort

Space certainly isn't an issue, and as driver you sit in a car-like manner not the upright position of most MPVs. But the ride is jigglier than it ought to be, and the 1.9 diesel makes a bit of an agricultural racket.
Performance

Adequate is the keyword. The 1.4 diesel and 1.2 petrol engines make a charming three-cylinder chatter, but don't actually offer acceleration, especially not if you plan on doing what the Roomster was designed for - carrying stuff. There isn't an engine in the range that can get you to 60 in 10 seconds.
Cool

The Roomster is undoubtedly quirky, charming, original, different, thoughtful and useful. All these and more. But cool? Not in our dictionary anyway.
Quality

The perceived quality of the dash and so on is well up to snuff, but we wonder if the materials around the rear seats and load area will be able to resist the scratches and knocks that'll be dished out to them if a Roomster leads the active life depicted in its brochure.
Handling

The way it tackles corners is more car-like than most MPVs, thanks to good control of body roll. But the steering is wispy-light and low-geared, so you're denied much sense of fun.
Practicality

Three individual rear seats aren't all the same size, so someone will get the short straw. If there are only two in the back it's great. Sliding, folding seats make things versatile. They can be removed too, but note they're bulky and heavy so make sure you have somewhere to store them. And the load bay isn't as long as you'd expect.
Running costs

The Roomster tells the usual Skoda story: lowish depreciation, long service intervals, decent diesel economy and a three-year warranty.

Article source: www.topgear.com

Peace of Mind - Own a ŠKODA and sleep soundly at night

You can enjoy peace of mind after buying one of our cars as all our models come with comprehensive cover for all aspects of ownership; including:

3 year warranty
Breakdown cover
Servicing and maintenance

ŠKODA has also been in the top 5 of the JD Power Satisfaction Survey for 14 years running.

3 Year Warranty

We know how well ŠKODAS are built. That's why we're offering:

2 years unlimited mileage warranty, plus
3rd year warranty (limited up to 60,000 miles)
3 years paint warranty
12 years Body Protection warranty on all new ŠKODAS

For full terms and conditions click here or ask your local retailer.

New Vehicle Warranty

ŠKODA Auto are pleased to provide a two year unlimited mileage warranty against defects in material or manufacture on all its new vehicles. In addition ŠKODA Auto U.K. provides a further warranty on new vehicles supplied by them, through their appointed retailer network which is valid until the vehicle has completed 60,000 miles or the end of the third year, whichever is the sooner.

In the event of a vehicle becoming defective due to faulty manufacture or material, it must be promptly returned to an appointed ŠKODA retailer or Authorised Repairer where it will be repaired free of charge.

The warranty commences on the date of delivery to the first user. It is transferable to a second and subsequent owner on completion of the transfer form contained in the customer literature wallet.

To obtain the full benefit of this warranty it is essential that the vehicle is properly serviced in accordance with the Manufacturer's instructions.

Paint and Body Warranty

All new vehicles supplied by ŠKODA Auto 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 Auto 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.

Breakdown Cover - Free ŠKODA Assistance and Breakdown cover for 3 years

We're proud of the reliability of our cars and our owners seem to agree - that's why we've been awarded 'Best Manufacturer' in the Auto Express Driver Power survey for the second year running and have just been awarded 'Best Manufacturer' in the 2010 Which? awards.

In the unlikley event that you do have a problem, we provide a 3 year, unlimited mile, European-wide roadside assistance policy with all our new cars. We'll even help you if you lock your keys in the car, or put the wrong fuel in.

We've chosen the RAC to provide the service for us, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It doesn't matter who's driving your ŠKODA, they can call if they're in trouble. And all new ŠKODAS supplied by ŠKODA Auto in the UK are automatically entitled to the service, both over here and when driving in Europe. So if you are one of the few unlucky ones, at least help can be on its way with one phonecall.

You can call ŠKODA Assistance on 0800 52 66 25

For your guide to ŠKODA Assistance please click here

Servicing & Maintenance

Strange as it may seem these days, we actually care about your car and making sure you stay happy with it. It's probably the only thing about ŠKODA that's old-fashioned! And we dare say it's why our retailers and repairers have recently been rated the best in Europe for customer care.

There are over 120 ŠKODA-approved repairers in the UK. Which means we can offer a pretty rapid service.

Being ŠKODA-approved, our technicians are specially trained to know your car inside out. Spares (only genuine ŠKODA spares) are kept in stock or delivered in 24 hours, so you'll spend the absolute minimum of time without it.

And finally, we'll deliver your car back to you in tip-top condition. We just want to get you back on the road with a smile on your face, as soon as possible.

Find a retailer near you.

Looking after your budget too

Driving your ŠKODA will be an even happier experience if you've no worries about looking after it. ŠKODA Finance offers you a choice of three fixed-cost maintenance plans to help you budget for keeping your car in tip-top condition.

As well as simplifying your budgeting, the plans make sure your ŠKODA is properly serviced and safe to drive. They also provide you with a full service history from a ŠKODA retailer, which will help keep its value up for when you come to sell or part-exchange it.

Each plan can last for a period of two, three or four years. You can apply to start it at any time within the first 10,000 miles, so long as the car is no more than a year old.

The three plans to choose from are:

Service
Service and maintenance
Service, maintenance and tyres

For further details, talk to your ŠKODA-approved retailer.

Fixed-cost maintenance is provided by ŠKODA Finance, a trading name of Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited.

Article source: www.skoda.co.uk

Skoda Octavia review by Top Gear

The Skoda Octavia hatchback behaves with the manners of a Golf, because that’s what it is underneath. Design is neat, with the rear extension avoiding rivals’ tacked-on look. Owners love them and praise the service provided by the dealers.

Comfort

Good driving position is the gateway to a happy long-distance relationship. Ride has enough travel for ropey roads but doesn't lose the plot by floating. Engine noise doesn't intrude. Seats support your body properly.
Performance

Serviceable in the base versions. Petrol TSi and TFSI engines punch well above their weight and sound good. Most will buy diesels though, and with the economical 105 1.9 or punchy 170 CR 2.0, they're not making a mistake. The joy of DSG transmission is available too.
Cool

Even with the vRS coolness isn't really the reason for buying a Skoda is it? You are confident enough not to need it. And that carries a whiff of cool in itself, especially when wrapped in the estate body.
Quality

The cabin has been carefully set up to look like VW's runner-up brand - well made but a little lacking in surprise-and-delight or sparkle. Still, it's as tough as old boots and the reliability makes owners happy.
Handling

Soft but reassuring on the base models, nicely finessed on the hot vRS. Weighty, well-damped steering makes it easy to drive smoothly. No untoward surprises means you can comfortably nuzzle the limits. The raised 4x4 Scout doesn't roll too much and gets the torque onto the tarmac however greasy it is.
Practicality

Big of boot, but that's just the start. Cabin cubbies carry all sorts of clobber, and there are roof rails as standard. The Scout is all the off-roader most of us need, without the clumsiness.
Running costs

Generally the expenditure ought to be well contained. Long service intervals, economical diesel availablity and a three-year warranty will cut the worry. Depreciation no great issue.

Article source: www.topgear.com

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