Czech Republic May 2017: New monthly volume record, 6 Skodas in Top 6

The Skoda Fabia is #1 at home for the first time since October 2015. 

* See the Top 45 All-brands and Top 260 All-models by clicking on the title *

The new all-time monthly volume record set last March (26.786) has only lasted two meagre months: after a small decline in April, the Czech new car market surges another 11% year-on-year in May to lift the record to 27.009 units. Year-to-date sales are up a round 10% to a new best-ever 117.817 units after five months. Keep in mind a significant part of Czech sales (from 10 to 12% of the total market depending on the month) never see local roads and are immediately re-exported to other parts of the European Union. After a slow start of the year, homegrown market leader Skoda is revived: up 17% this month to a flamboyant 33.7% share vs. 31.1% year-to-date. Volkswagen on the other hand trails the market growth at +2% while Ford jumps 31% to overtake Hyundai (-11%) for third place overall. Dacia (+40%), BMW (+62%) and Toyota (+84%) post the largest year-on-year gains inside the Top 10, with Mercedes (+18%), Nissan (+32%), Fiat (+21%) and Mini (+49%) also getting noticed further down.

The Skoda Kodiaq ranks 6th at home this month, making it 6 Skodas in the Top 6.

In April, the Top 5 best-sellers were 100% Skoda for the first time since March 2016. This month the Czech carmaker goes one further, monopolising the monthly Top 6 for the first time ever according to BSCB records. The Fabia stunningly takes the lead for the first time since October 2015 thanks to deliveries shooting up 44% to 2.764, overtaking the perennial leader the Skoda Octavia down 2% to 2.691. The Octavia remains however comfortably in the year-to-date pole position with 10% share vs. 8.4% for the Fabia. The Skoda Rapid (-1%) and Superb (-22%) disappoint but the Yeti is up two spots on last month to #5 thanks to sales up 16% now that the carmaker is clearing existing stock ahead of the launch of its replacement the Karoq later this year. The all-new Kodiaq drops one rank to #6. It’s an excellent month for the VW Passat up 19% year-on-year and 5 spots on April to become the best-selling non-Skoda nameplate in the country. In fact, the VW Group monopolises the Top 8 with the Golf at #8 (+2%). Other great performers include the Dacia Sandero up 102% to #11, the Nissan Qashqai up 55% to #14, the Hyundai i20 up 68% to #17, Dacia Dokker up 54% to #18 and the VW Tiguan up 101% to #22.

Previous month: Czech Republic April 2017: Skoda monopolises Top 5, Kodiaq at #5

One year ago: Czech Republic May 2016: Third historical monthly record in a row

Full May 2017 Top 45 All-brands and Top 260 All-models below.