SKODA has increased prices on its Felicia hatchback and estate cars by an average of 2% on 1998 model year vehicles - the first across-the-board price increase on the range since February although LXi model prices rose by £200 in May. Prices of commercial vehicles remain unchanged.

On-the-road prices start at £5,999 for the Felicia L - the only new car on sale in the UK on-the-road for less than £6,000 and not affected by the price rise - through to £10,799 for the range-topping Felicia 1.6 SLXi estate.

New prices (with old prices in brackets): Felicia hatchback - 1.3 L £5,999, 1.3 LXi £7,399 (£7,199), 1.3 GLi £8,199 (£7,899), 1.6 GLXi £8,999 (£8,699), 1.6 SLXi £9,999 (£9,899), 1.9D GLi £8,899 (£8,599). Felicia estate - 1.3 LXi £8,199 (£7,999), 1.3 GLi £8,999 (£8,699), 1.6 GLXi £9,799 (£9,499), 1.6 SLXi £10,799 (£10,699), 1.9D GLi £9,699 (£9,399).