SKODA has announced a strong first quarter in 2012 with increased revenue, deliveries and production.
Quarter one 2012 saw Skoda’s revenue rise 8.4 per cent to 2.9bn euros (£2.3bn) compared to the same period 12 months ago. Operating profit also grew 11.8 per cent to 209m euros (£170m), while operating margin rose 7.2 per cent.
With 242,700 vehicles delivered to customers, the brand also achieved a new delivery record for a first quarter.
‘Skoda’s growth course is profitable,’ said Skoda’s chairman of the board, Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland. ‘In the first quarter, we have sold more cars than ever in any previous quarter and were once again able to clearly improve our financial results. That demonstrates the financial solidity of the company.
‘In times of economic uncertainty, profitability is a necessary prerequisite for the success of our growth strategy,’ said Vahland.
‘We continue to invest in new products and capacities,’ added Skoda’s board member for finances, Winfried Krause. ‘Our expenditures clearly show that we are consistently pursuing our goals and implement them with concrete measures.
‘We have set the right course and will continue to do that. That is how we will be able to realise our goal of selling at least 1.5m cars per year by 2018.’
