Czech Republic July 2015: Skoda Fabia ends Octavia domination

The Skoda Fabia is #1 at home for only the 2nd time in five years.

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Re-exports towards other European Union countries – accounting for 17 to 20% of monthly new car sales in the Czech Republic – are playing a large role in lifting the market to record heights in 2015. July marks the third time after March (21.155) and June (21.315) the all-time monthly volume record is beaten at 21.415 registrations, the 5th time the market is above 20.000 monthly units (along with April at 20.360) whereas before this year the highest-ever monthly score was 18.171 hit in June 2014. Summer had traditionally beeen the weakest time for new car sales in the Czech Republic, showing how much of an overdrive the market is experiencing at the moment. Both July and year-to-date sales (134.692) are up 21% year-on-year.

Homegrown Skoda outpaces the market with sales up 30% year-on-year to 7.142 units, accounting for exactly 1 in every 3 new cars sold in the country. Hyundai (9.3%) overtakes Volkswagen (9.1%) for 2nd place, Dacia is back up to #5 and both Peugeot (#8) and BMW (#9) stay inside the Top 10. But the biggest event of the month in the Czech Republic is the pole position of the Skoda Fabia, enjoying a logical return of form after the new generation went on sale in November last year. This is the first time the Fabia outsells the Octavia in its current generation, the first time the Fabia tops the sales charts at home since October 2012 and only the second time in five years. The last time the Fabia held the annual top spot at home was in 2008, with the Octavia enjoying 6 consecutive wins from 2009 to 2014.

Other great performers this month include the Hyundai i30 up 3 spots on June and 1 percentage point above its year-to-date share at 3.7% in 4th place, the Dacia Duster jumping to #9, the Hyundai ix35 up 11 ranks to #11, the BMW 5 Series up a further 5 spots to #25 vs. #47 year-to-date, the Suzuki Swift up 21 to #29 and the Opel Insignia up to #35 vs. #65 so far in 2015. Note the models ranking conveniently includes columns titled “REAL” published by Czech organisation Madea, indicating the July sales minus re-exports. We then learn that the Ford Fiesta (#5 overall), Seat Ibiza (#44), Audi Q3 (#45), Audi A1 (#48) and Fiat 500L (#49) had 100% of their Czech sales re-exported outside the country…

Previous month: Czech Republic June 2015: Skoda Fabia teases Octavia in record month

One year ago: Czech Republic July 2014: 6 Skodas in Top 8, Yeti shoots up

Full July 2015 Top 10 brands and Top 50 models below.