Czech Republic May 2018: Skoda Rapid up, 5th decline in 7 months

The Skoda Rapid is up 60% year-on-year but stays 3rd best-seller.

* See the Top 45 All-brands and Top 270 All-models by clicking on the title *

Plateau it is after all: Czech new car sales lodge their 5th year-on-year decline in the past 7 months in May at -4% to 25.720 registrations, leading to a year-to-date tally almost identical to last year’s at a record 117.852 units, 35 sales above the 2017 YTD score at the same stage of the year. Home grown brand leader Skoda suffers this month at -12% to 31.3% share vs. 32.7% YTD, whereas both Volkswagen (+1%) and Hyundai (+10%) both go against the grain with year-on-year gains. Dacia (-1%) resists at #4 but Ford (-27%) tumbles down at #5. Suzuki (+53%), Peugeot (+51%), Renault (+25%) and Citroen (+15%) post the largest gains in the Top 20, with Jeep (+57%), Porsche (+50%), Subaru (+33%), Lexus (+30%), Land Rover (+23%) and Mini (+19%) also impressive further down.

Model-wise, the Skoda Octavia (-10%) and Fabia (-37%) hold onto the Top 2 spots despite steep declines, whereas the Skoda Rapid soars 60% but remains at #3. The locally-produced Hyundai i30 (+43%) repeats the 4th spot it scored last month thanks to the arrival of the fastback variant, upgrading to #7 YTD. For the second month running, Skoda places 6 nameplates in the Top 7 with the Kodiaq (-8%) back up two spots on April to #5, the Suberb (-29%) remaining at #6 and the Karoq down two to #7. The VW Golf (-2%), Kia Cee’d (+23%) and VW Passat (-30%) complete the Top 10 while the VW Tiguan (+43%), Renault Captur (+78%) and VW Polo (+69%) shine further down.

Previous month: Czech Republic April 2018: 6 Skodas in Top 7, Hyundai i30 up to #4

One year ago: Czech Republic May 2017: New monthly volume record, 6 Skoda in Top 6

Full May 2018 Top 45 All-brands and Top 270 All-models below.