ŠKODA UK End First Quarter On A Record High

"Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)" (thejonnyedge) 04/05/2014 at 20:38 • Filed to: SKODA, DRIVING SPIRIT, vRS, OCTAVIA

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ŠKODA UK have absolutely smashed the first quarter of 2014, recording some fantastic new car sales figures. The brand is continuing to grow at a superb rate, up 33% when compared to last March.

According to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , in the first quarter of 2014 three records were broken, and they are as followed;

12,907 units in March was highest ever for ŠKODA UK in a single month

Total UK registrations of 20,307 for the first three months of 2014 – the largest ever for any quarter

3% market share also the biggest ever for any quarter

Being a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , obviously I am very pleased to hear that the brand is doing so well. In my opinion, the value you get simply cannot be matched in the current UK car market, and the sales results are backing this up.

A lot of people are now starting to really believe that ŠKODA are going places, and the next few years are going to be decisive for them. I for one hope to see this success continue, and it really wouldn't come as a surprise if it did. Just a quick glance at their recently produced concept cars should give you an idea of the intent that ŠKODA has.

I love my ŠKODA, and I make no secret of that. It's not a perfect car by any stretch of the imagination, and I could point out one or two things I would change, but there is something about owning a ŠKODA that also feels good. Maybe it's the excellent and friendly atmosphere in the dealerships, or maybe its just that there is a positive aura around the brand right now.

It may be different things to different people, but the great value is ever consistent. ŠKODA UK is in a very good place and it is continuing to stamp its mark on the UK car market.

Credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

About me: I write for !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and you can follow me on twitter @Jonny___X. You can also drop me an e-mail at jonny@drivingspirit.com . Thanks for reading!

Svend > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 04/04/2014 at 15:10

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We've had our Superb II Combi for one year and four days. We were phoned by the dealer to see how we were getting on with the car and we replied 'we are already specing up our next Superb II Combi.

I wear my T-shirt with pride too.

My beautiful baby girl here.

I never get bored of singing her praises (though my friends get bored of hearing me do so I'm sure).

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Svend 04/04/2014 at 15:56

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I'm exactly the same, although next time I review a Skoda, I shall have to be more impartial!

Long Live the Longdoor > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 04/05/2014 at 21:57

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Being from Canada, I know very little about Skoda, but that Octavia vRS looks pretty wicked! Those seats look cool!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Long Live the Longdoor 04/06/2014 at 06:41

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Ah well, if there is anything you would like to know in particular then feel free to ask and I'll be happy to at least attempt an answer!

Long Live the Longdoor > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 04/06/2014 at 08:00

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actually, I have one kind of general question about Skoda (not necessarily the Octavia), how do Skoda's slot into the European marketplace? Being owned by VAG, are they more premium than a VW, cheaper etc. What is their niche, I guess is what I'm asking.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Long Live the Longdoor 04/06/2014 at 08:15

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They sit alongside SEAT as a cheaper but more funky or unusual alternative to VW. VW are the sensible but slightly boring "dad" of the three, slightly more refined (although this is getting increasingly hard to notice) and classy, but lacking in personality.

You can expect to pay several thousand pounds less for a Skoda than you would the equivalent VW. Skoda also offer (in my experience at least) better customer service, better finance packages, and inclusive servicing.

With my vRS model, a little bit of Czech suspension setup is used. The roads in the Czech Republic aren't fantastic, so for their vRS models they don't set them up too firm. This works very well here in the UK, and particularly in my home region of Devon (a rural, coastal, farming region) as our roads are also pretty poor.

Chatham Harrison dba SPANFELLER DELENDUS EST > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 04/06/2014 at 19:00

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Given what you say, how does VAG keep Skoda from just pricing out all its VW customers? It seems like an easy way to get an underpriced car with more character than its appropriately-priced "dad" version. Like a VW Phaeton for the masses. I wish they'd bring them here to the US. Also, my mother's family is from Devon, once upon a time, so cheers to that.

Long Live the Longdoor > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 04/06/2014 at 19:11

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Thanks for the info, I learned something new today!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Chatham Harrison dba SPANFELLER DELENDUS EST 04/06/2014 at 19:16

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You know what, I actually have no idea! In the UK a lot of people are "brand snobs", and therefore a lot of people won't even look at a Skoda. Which is crazy as they share so many parts from VW and Audi.

I don't think we'll ever see these brands in the US, as VW will want to dominate the market, but hey, if Skoda continue to grow at a good rate you never know.

Devon is a beautiful place, and a natural racetrack!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Long Live the Longdoor 04/06/2014 at 19:17

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No problem! If I can help anymore at all just let me know. If I can't answer myself I can sure point you in the right direction.

Chatham Harrison dba SPANFELLER DELENDUS EST > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 04/06/2014 at 19:33

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The US is no better for brand snobbery. My boss keeps part of his bonus in a literal piggy bank so he can upgrade to each new iPhone on the day it comes out. His assistant used an Android phone, and he made her upgrade to an iPhone at her own expense because hers "wasn't as good" and he needed to make sure they were "compatible" in case he needed to contact her. He finds my old G'Zone Brigade (4 years old, runs like a champ) too primitive for words. He drives an Audi Q5, which he put into a ditch in the snow this past winter. I had to come to the rescue in my little Mazda and give him a ride to the office. Just a class act all around. Anyway, I'd love to see Skoda in the US for the same reason I wish Pontiac had survived: variety is the spice of life. Especially if that variety can be had in vRS trim.

afterace > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 04/07/2014 at 04:33

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I always was a fan of VW owned Skoda, but it somehow seems the newest models have some issues with the proportions. It's like they've been told to make them uglier in order not to eat VW marketshare.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > afterace 04/07/2014 at 04:39

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Very strange, I have found that Skoda's are faster than whatever the book gives them credit for before. It should just be the body that changes so I imagine the proportions wouldn't change too much?

I need an engineer to answer that for me though!

afterace > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) 04/07/2014 at 04:47

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The new Octavia for instance is based on the new MQB platform, while the previous one on the PQ35, and the old one looked a lot better from the side IMO, that new one is just a bit ass heavy. That might be just me though.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > afterace 04/07/2014 at 06:17

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I'd have to disagree with you there. I definitely think that the new Octavia is a better looking car, it has a more elegant shape.

It will be interesting to see what the other guys here think!