Czech Republic Full Year 2019: 7 Skodas in Top 8 for the first time, Karoq scores first ever podium

The Skoda Karoq is up to #3 at home in 2019.

Discover over 50 years of Czech Historical Data here.

The Czech new car market drops -4.4% year-on-year in 2019 to 249.915 units, marking a second consecutive year of decline. Keep in mind a significant part of Czech sales (estimated to be from 10 to 12% of the total market) never see local roads and are immediately re-exported to other parts of the European Union, thanks to particularly low prices in the country. Homegrown market leader Skoda (+2%) swims upstream with the only year-on-year gain in the Top 4, reaching 34.4% share, its highest at home since the 35.3% it hit in 2009. The Top 4 is unchanged on 2018 with Volkswagen (-14.3%), Hyundai (-5.7%) and Dacia (-2.7%) in tow. Peugeot (+5.2%), Mercedes (+2.6%), Renault (+2%) and Toyota (+0.8%) also gain ground in the remainder of the Top 10 but Ford (-24.1%) and Kia (-7.3%) struggle. Below, Lamborghini (+62.9%), Rolls Royce (+53.3%), DS (+45.3%), Tesla (+41.2%), Bentley (+36.4%), Lada (+24.2%), Mazda (+22.9%), Alfa Romeo (+10.6%), Jeep (+10.5%) and Seat (+10%) are among the most dynamic.

In the models ranking, the Skoda Octavia (-16.1%) celebrates 11 consecutive years at #1 but skids mightily and sees its advantage over the Skoda Fabia (-3.9%) thaw from 4.800 units in 2018 to just 1.400 this year. However the new generation Octavia, launched at the end of the year, should enable the nameplate to stay on top in 2020. The Skoda Karoq (+51.4%) leaps up 3 spots to score its first ever annual podium finish at home (and in the world), knocking the now-discontinued Skoda Rapid (-38.3%) to #4 meaning Skoda has now monopolised its home Top 4 for the third time in the past 4 years and ever. The Hyundai i30 (-0.1%) remains the best-selling foreigner for the 5th year in a row. The Skoda Kodiaq (+17.1%) edges up to #6, the Skoda Scala fulfils its Rapid-replacement mission by landing directly at #7 and peaking at #3 from August to November and the Superb (-12.2%) means there are 7 Skodas in the annual Top 8 for the first time in Czech history. The new Kamiq lands at #31 but peaked at #6 in December, but the chances of seeing 8 Skodas in the 2020 Top 9 or 10 will depend on whether the Rapid ends up getting a namesake sedan replacement.

Previous month: Czech Republic November 2019: Skoda Kamiq breaks into Top 10 in market up 4.6%

Previous year: Czech Republic 2018: Octavia celebrates 10 straight years on top, record 6 Skodas in Top 7 in market hit into negative by WLTP

Two years ago: Czech Republic 2017: Octavia #1, 4 Skodas in Top 4, record market

Full Year 2019 Top 59 All-brands and Top 330 All-models vs. Full Year 2018 figures below.

Full December 2019 Top 43 All-brands and Top XXX All-models below.