Skoda solid on the road

Skoda has made a solid start to the new year. Sales increased by 5.2 percent to 220,500 vehicles in the first quarter. The market share in Europe rose to 5.1 percent, with Germany as the world's largest market as well as Poland and Ireland increasing in absolute figures. Not least due to increased material costs, the company's turnover fell by 3.2 percent to 6.574 billion euros, while profit fell slightly to 535 million euros (minus 1.3 percent).

The Octavia remains the most popular model with 61,200 units and growth of more than a third. It is followed by the Kamiq, Fabia and Karoq with around 28,000 units each. (aum)