Skoda at the 2011 IAA

As the world premiere, Skoda will present a design concept called MissionL at this year's Frankfurt International Motor Show. Close to the series-production design, this concept car reveals the look of the Skoda's new model line that is to become symbolic of the Czech carmaker's planned “Model Offensive”. The new compact vehicle will be launched in Europe, Russia, China and India. In line with the internationalisation principles, this compact car will feature specific modifications in each of these regions. All these steps are in line with the goals of Skoda's 2018 growth strategy that were set last year.

The brand looks to increase its global annual sales to 1.5 million vehicles by 2018. This year's results show that Skoda is growing substantially in all relevant areas. The brand's sales grew by 18.3% year on year over the first eight months of this year, turnover grew by more than 25%, and operating results by 81.5 % in the first half of 2011. In addition to all that, the Czech-based car manufacturer is going full steam ahead in motorsport, too. After three quarters of this season, Fabia Super 2000s top the current rankings in both the S-WRC and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC). The heart of Skoda's 1732 m2 presentation in Hall 3 is the MissionL, a design concept that is close to the final production design. “The MissionL reveals the look of our new compact model, the core of our “Model Offensive”," says Skoda Board Chairman Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. “Our current model portfolio is a success in the markets where we are present.

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This new compact model and the other new products that we are already preparing are a guarantee of dynamic growth. Skoda is going full steam ahead now and is going to keep up this speed in the years to come as well. We will launch a new model every six months on average.” With its new compact line, the carmaker looks to support its sales in Europe, as well as in the growth markets of Russia and China. The vehicle specifications will be adapted to meet the requirements of customers in big regional markets. Positioned in the segment between the Fabia and the Octavia, the new car is a typical Skoda that is a generously-spaced vehicle boasting a large number of solutions designed in line with the brand's “Simply Clever” philosophy. The new car will be an attractive choice for customers looking for a high degree of practicality and an attractive price/value ratio.

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The MissionL demonstrates the key design elements of the much-expected new model line. Precise, pure lines based on the brand's new design language are apparent at first sight. The radiator grille is made up of Skoda's typical vertically arranged lamellas. The logo above them is no longer part of the grille's chrome-plated surface, though. Instead, it is an independent item dominating the front edge of the bonnet. The impression of robustness and elegance of this almost 4.5 metre-long liftback is underlined by bold wing lines combined with 18" lightweight alloy wheels. With its new models, Skoda continues to grow internationally. The brand set a number of sales records in the first eight months of 2011, including in China, India and Russia. Sales grew by 18.3% year on year over the first eight months of 2011, i.e. 583,600 cars. Sales in China grew by 29.2%, India and Russia grew by 50.4 and 44.0%, respectively. “In line with our growth strategy, we are looking to substantially strengthen our positions in these countries in the years to come,” said Prof. Vahland.

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In this connection, the Czech-based car manufacturer has intensified its international production activities. Starting from mid 2013, a Yeti for the Chinese market will be produced locally. Furthermore, Skoda (in cooperation with Shanghai Volkswagen) will produce a new compact model for this market beginning in 2013, thus increasing the number of models produced in China to five. The brand will also expand its production in Russia through the Volkswagen Group's partnership with the Russian-based car manufacturer GAZ Group. The GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod will start producing the Yeti in the fourth quarter of 2012. In India, Skoda will launch production of a brand new compact sedan before the end of this year.

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Skoda is building its growth plans on a solid financial foundation. The brand sold more cars worldwide over the first eight months of 2011 than ever before. Compared with the same period of last year, Skoda's sales grew by 18.3% to 583,600 vehicles. “Our full-year target is more than 800,000 vehicles, a new record," stresses Vahland. The company's financial results are positive too, revenues grew by 25.7 % in total to EUR 5.4 billion in the first half of 2011 (EUR 4.3 billion last year), operating results were 81.5 % higher than that achieved in the same period of last year, a new record– (EUR 412 million this year, EUR 227 million last year), and pre-tax profits totalled EUR 388 million, which is 81.3 % more than in the first half of 2010. Skoda's net liquidity grew to EUR 2.0 billion over the first six months of this year (EUR 1.6 billion as at 31 December, 2010).

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Both symbolically and literally, Skoda is going full steam ahead also on rally stages. The brand is celebrating 110 years of its motorsport efforts in 2011, and is indeed going from strength to strength. Juho Hänninen & Mikko Markkula (FIN) of the Red Bull Skoda team tops the current rankings of the S-WRC, and the Fabia Super 2000 also dominates the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC). After winning the IRC title in 2010, the Skoda Motorsport team is in the lead in both the Manufacturers Cup and the Drivers Cup, with only three more events to go this season. The first three places in the driver rankings are currently occupied by drivers of Fabia Super 2000s.