What's the news?
According to figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), Skoda Ireland has recorded a 47.7 per cent increase in new car registrations for the month of July compared with the same month in 2014. The Czech car brand finished July, which was the first month of the new 152-registration period, with 6.19 per cent market share.
Year-on-year Skoda has increased its new car registrations by 22 per cent, with the Octavia remaining the most popular model, accounting for 49.7 per cent of total registrations to date. Also proving successful is the Skoda Fabia, which accounted for 16.6 per cent of its new registrations in 2015. The recently launched Skoda Superb is expected to boost new car registrations for the company in the latter half of this year.
Commenting on the brand's performance thus far, Alicia O'Connor, Head of Sales, Skoda Ireland, said: "The Irish car market is in full recovery with increased optimism from consumers. July has been extremely successful for the Skoda brand, with huge early demand for the new Skoda Superb which is certain to continue into 2016."
Anything else?
In addition to increased turnover for Skoda Ireland, rising from €67.1m to €80.0m up to the end of July, its aftersales business has also recorded an increase in vehicle parts and accessories turnover of 18 per cent, from €4.1m to €4.8m.
Skoda Finance has also seen a more buoyant 2015, with 3,135 customers availing of finance during the first seven months of this year. During the same period in 2014 this figure stood at 2,102. The rise in popularity of Personal Contract Plans (PCP) accounted for 72 per cent of all new car finance packages sold.