ŠKODA AUTO CEO Bernhard Maier emphasises: “The success of ŠKODA AUTO in the fiscal year 2018 is a strong team effort. My heartfelt thanks to all Škodians. By delivering 1,253,700 vehicles around the world, we set another record in 2018. Our product campaign is proving effective; the models have been very well received by our customers. At the same time, 2018 was a year of considerable challenges for ŠKODA. We assumed responsibility for several tasks within the Volkswagen Group: the regional management of India and Russia, the development and production of the Passat family at the Kvasiny site, and the expansion of production capacities at a multi-brand plant. The transition to the new WLTP cycle and the trade dispute between the US and China created uncertainty and reluctance to buy in some markets. Negative exchange rate effects, as well as increased personnel costs and high upfront expenditure for the future, are also reflected in the result. We have actively counteracted these challenges with a comprehensive Performance programme, and we are continuing to systematically pursue this course because 2019 will also be a challenging year. Despite the ongoing difficult global economic conditions, the transformation process in the automotive industry is also gaining momentum for ŠKODA. With our Strategy 2025, we have set the right course. The upfront expenditures on the coming years will ensure the long-term future of our company and the Czech Republic as an automotive location.”
ŠKODA AUTO CFO Klaus-Dieter Schürmann emphasises: “Thanks to our active price and sales management as well as consistent cost management, ŠKODA AUTO is a successful and sustainably profitable company even in turbulent waters. In 2019, we expect stronger headwinds, especially in some key markets. To counteract these negative influences actively and directly, ŠKODA launched an additional Performance programme in the first half of 2018, which, in its full effect, will bring annual savings of 500 million euros from 2020 onwards. At the same time, we will continue to electrify our model range in the coming years, invest in new mobility solutions and further internationalise our company. This is how we are making ŠKODA fit for the future.”
ŠKODA AUTO is driving forward the development and introduction of new products and model series. For this purpose, the automaker has invested more than 500 million euros directly in its Czech plants in 2018, for example, constructing a new paint shop at the headquarters in Mladá Boleslav and more powerful data centres. The car manufacturer has also launched the most comprehensive investment programme in the company’s history. Over the next four years, 2 billion euros will be spent on
e-mobility and new mobility services alone. With the launch of electric mobility, 2019 marks an important milestone in the company’s 124-year history. By the end of 2022, the car manufacturer will have introduced over 30 new models, more than ten of which will be partially or fully electric.
ŠKODA AUTO Group1 – Key figures between January and December 20182
| Units | 2018 | 2017 | Change in % | ||||
| Deliveries to customers | Cars | 1,253,700 | 1,200,500 | 4.4 | |||
| Deliveries to customers excluding China |
Cars | 912,700 | 875,500 | 4.3 | |||
| Production3 | Cars | 902,500 | 870,500 | 3.7 | |||
| Sales4 | Cars | 956,700 | 937,000 | 2.1 | |||
| Sales revenue | Million EUR | 17,293 | 16,559 | 4.4 | |||
| Operating profit | Million EUR | 1,377 | 1,611 | (14.6) | |||
| Return on sales | Percent | 8.0 | 9.7 | – | |||
| Investments in tangible assets | Million EUR | 896 | 733 | 22.2 | |||
| Net cash flow | Million EUR | 755 | 1,373 | (45.0) |
1) The ŠKODA AUTO Group comprises ŠKODA AUTO a.s, ŠKODA AUTO Slovensko s.r.o., ŠKODA AUTO Deutschland GmbH , Skoda Auto India Private Ltd. And share in profit of the company OOO VOLKSWAGEN Group RUS
2) Percentage deviations are calculated from non-rounded figures
3) Comprises the production in the ŠKODA AUTO Group, excluding production in partner plants in China, Slovakia, Russia and India, but including other Group brands such as SEAT, Audi and VW; vehicle production excluding part/complete kits
4) Comprises sales of the ŠKODA AUTO Group to sales companies and includes other Group brands, such as SEAT, Audi and VW; vehicle sales excluding part/complete kits
Watch a recording of the whole annual press conference here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFG22UaW7rI&feature=youtu.be
