Martin Placek
Research expert covering transportation and electronics
Škoda Auto - statistics & facts
Škoda Auto has been a part of the Volkswagen Group since 1991, but the company’s history dates to 1925 when it was established in former Czechoslovakia, present-day Czechia. During the 20th century, Škoda Auto became the leading automobile manufacturer in the country, as well as Europe, which ultimately led to its acquisition by the Volkswagen Group. This cooperation proved very fruitful as the production of cars in Škoda’s plants increased. Nevertheless, the last few years proved to be challenging with the company being strongly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war against Ukraine, especially since the war forced the company to cease its activities in Russia which hosted two of its manufacturing plants.
Despite these challenges, Škoda Auto was the third-top performing brand in terms of sales within the Volkswagen Group in 2023, trailing only the Volkswagen and Audi brands.
It should not be surprising that most of Škoda‘s production takes place in its home country of Czechia. Other than that, the company has currently active manufacturing plants in India, China, and Slovakia. Although China produced the second highest amount of Škoda cars last decade, peaking at 354,000 units in 2018, its production has slowed down massively since then and it has been overtaken by India in 2022.
Škoda’s business profile
The company’s revenues have increased sharply over the past decades. However, this did not always result in a higher profitability. Especially in the last few years, due to the aforementioned crises that lead to reduced productivity and higher costs, the net profit of the company decreased significantly between 2019 and 2022. The deliveries of Škoda cars have also been negatively affected by these events. The number of car sales in 2022 dropped more than half a million compared to the all-time high figure from 2018. The situation improved for the company in 2023 when car sales increased year-on-year for the first time since 2018, and Škoda’s net profit recovered and reached an all-time high.It should not be surprising that most of Škoda‘s production takes place in its home country of Czechia. Other than that, the company has currently active manufacturing plants in India, China, and Slovakia. Although China produced the second highest amount of Škoda cars last decade, peaking at 354,000 units in 2018, its production has slowed down massively since then and it has been overtaken by India in 2022.
Škoda on the international field
Regionally, Škoda has had the highest sales in Western Europe, followed by Asia and overseas regions, and Central Europe. Germany, the home country of Škoda’s mother company Volkswagen, is consistently the largest market for the Czech company, with car sales reaching nearly 158 thousand vehicles in 2023. The Russian-Ukrainian war had a significant impact on Škoda since Russia was not only important due to its manufacturing facilities, but it was also the second largest market for Škoda who tried to make up for this loss by further penetrating the Indian market and increasing its sales in European countries. In 2023, other crucial markets included the UK, Poland, and France.
