Czech Republic May 2022: Skoda Karoq best-seller for the first time, sales down -16.8%

The Skoda Karoq is #1 at home in May.

New car sales in the Czech Republic continue to suffer from stock shortages resulting from the microchip crisis with May volumes down -16.8% to 18,073 units. The year-to-date tally is now down -11.1% to 80,178. Local behemoth Skoda (-27.6%) is in a dire position year-on-year and holds a 29.9% market share vs. 32.8% YTD. Hyundai (+6.5%) braves the negative market and improves its share to 11.1%, that’s one percentage point above its YTD level. Volkswagen (-16.7%) matches the market to stay in third place while the next three brands all post fantastic scores: Toyota (+21.7%), Kia (+22%) and Ford (+26.9%) can all smile. Reversely Peugeot (-40.3%), Seat (-26.9%) and Mercedes (-24.9%) struggle. Opel (+38.2%) closes out the Top 10 in stellar fashion and nabs the best year-on-year improvement in the Top 10. Below, Cupra (+542.6%), Ssangyong (+220.3%), DS (+100%), Land Rover (+64.8%), Lexus (+56.5%) and Mini (+40%) stand out.

There’s a small earthquake atop the Czech models ranking this month: the Skoda Karoq (-11.5%) is up five spots on April to snap the overall pole position for the first time ever. Its previous best was #3 reached five times. It however doesn’t break its volume and share records which show a clear fragmentation of the Czech market. The Skoda Fabia (-29.4%) loses the top spot and falls to #2 ahead of the Hyundai i30 (+3.6%) also down one to #3. There are still six Skodas in the Top 7 with the Kodiaq (+5.3%) posting a very solid performance at #4, followed by the Octavia (-50%), Scala (-22.4%) and Superb (-25.6%). The Kia Ceed (+72.6%) is by far the best performer in the Top 10 at #9. Below, the Ford Kuga (+636.4%) is up 7-fold year-on-year and 31 ranks on last month to #13, with the Cupra Formentor (+557.1%), Kia Sportage (+82.3%), Toyota Corolla (+42.8%) and Toyota C-HR (+70.1%) also in fine form.

Previous month: Czech Republic April 2022: Ssangyong Korando, Cupra Formentor stand out in market down -22.5%

One year ago: Czech Republic May 2021: Skoda Kamiq breaks share record, sales up 62.4%

Full May 2022 Top 55 All-brands and Top 275 All-models below.