Over the past year, Škoda Auto supplied a total of 449,758 customers worldwide with Fabia, Octavia, and Superb model range cars (2002: 445,525). In spite of a globally tough boom and stronger competitive pressures on particular markets, the auto maker has increased its sales by 1.0%. In 2003, the Fabia became the best-selling Škoda model range with 260,988 units sold (2002: 264,641) almost reaching the previous year’s level. During the same year, the Octavia achieved record-breaking sales with 165,635 units (2002: 164,017, which means +1.0%). The Škoda Superb recorded the highest sales increase (+37.2%) with 23,135 cars sold on the European market (2002: 16,867).

In Western Europe, Škoda shows a market share of 1.65% with 235,861 cars sold (2002: 238,323) – equalizing the previous year’s level. Despite a total decline by 0.5% in Germany, Škoda Auto increased its market share to 2.16% with 70,055 cars (+3.6%; 2002: 67,656) on the most important export market. On the dead market in Great Britain, Škoda recorded a slight decrease in sales by 3.0% with 37,103 cars (2002: 38,251). The third most important West European Škoda market was Italy with 23,061 units sold (2002: 23,051) in 2003. Apart from these countries, the most significant Škoda markets include Austria (16,200 units; 2002: 15,552), France (14,234; 2002: 16,607), and Spain (13,322; 2002: 15,549).

In the Czech Republic, Škoda Auto managed to win almost a half of the customers interested in a new car with a total of 71,522 cars sold (2002: 74,466) (the market share amounted to 47.7%) in spite of a keen price policy pursued by the competition especially as far as the best-selling segment, A0, is concerned, and a dead market. It was the Škoda Fabia hatchback version that enjoyed the greatest interest with 25,314 cars sold. The Škoda Fabia Estate and the Škoda Octavia Estate models recorded a sales increase (19,857 units; +10.8% and 7,528 units; +2.3% respectively). Since the Fabia RS car’s world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2003, this unmistakable car featuring a sporty character went to 554 customers in the Czech Republic. The comfortable Škoda Superb saloon enjoyed a growing interest being sold to a total of 3,658 customers (+48.6%). In all segments including the Škoda brand, the Fabia, Octavia, and Superb models occupy unmatched first places in terms of car sales statistics in the Czech Republic – each of them with a roughly 60% share in its segment. Thanks to the Superb model, the Škoda brand has returned to the Prague Castle where a special Superb presidential limousine has been used by the President of the Czech Republic since December 2003. As an official car, the Škoda Superb is used not only by Mr. President himself but also by a number of government ministers in the Czech Republic.

In Central and Eastern Europe (not including the Czech Republic), the brand sold 120,126 units (2002: 109,773), which meant a growth by 9.4%. It is the Polish market that had the largest share in this result. Škoda reached a market share of 12.0% with 42,927 cars (+25.2%) there (2002: 34,301). On the Hungarian market, Škoda Auto increased its market share to 7.3% with 15,462 cars sold (+34.4%; 2002: 11,507). In Slovakia, Škoda sold 25,728 cars (2002: 29,175). This decline by 11.8% corresponds with the trend shown on the general Slovak market that dropped by 11.9%.

In Asia and overseas, Škoda sold a total of 22,249 cars (-3.1%; 2002: 22,963). In India, Škoda has been represented by one assembly plant since 2002. The brand’s sales rose by 5.8% to 4,656 units (2002: 4,401) on this market.