Bumper year for Skoda

Car manufacturer Skoda has reported record sales in international markets.

The company sold a total of 630,032 vehicles to its customers worldwide in 2007.

This represents a 14.5 per cent increase on the previous year and the best ever figure for the company.

In Western Europe, Skoda delivered 327,222 cars - thus increasing its market share to a respectable 2.2 per cent.

At home in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the manufacturer improved its position with 64,306 newly registered vehicles recorded over the previous 12 months - a one per cent increase on 2006.

In eastern European markets 95,032 vehicles were delivered to customers - pushing sales up by 34 per cent compared to the previous year.

Russia continued to dominate sales volume in the area, with 25,535 vehicle sales - almost doubling their results from 2006.

The Octavia remains the best selling model with 237,422 sold in total around the world - 18 per cent more than the previous year.

The growth of the Roomster is also proving positive for the company - with 66,661 deliveries to customers.