In the first nine months of 2011, Skoda has increased its worldwide sales by 16.8% when compared with the same period last year.

Deliveries in the period January-September rose to a total of 664,800 units (569,000 vehicles in 2010). With 81,200 new cars finding homes in the third quarter alone (75,800 in 2010), the Czech company set a new all-time sales record for September. Skoda also recorded the third best month in its history, behind March 2011 and June 2011.

“Skoda is continuing on the fast track this year,” said Jürgen Stackmann, board member for sales and marketing. “Our growth trend is in good shape; we are growing in all regions, and in 2011 we will exceed the 800,000 new car sales mark for the first time.”

Stackmann said the brand’s continuing new model initiatives would play a part in Skoda strengthening its position in the coming years. He added: “With the Citigo compact car and the Rapid made in India, we have already introduced the first two new models. As a result, Skoda will tap into new customer segments.”

In Western Europe, Skoda sales grew by 2.6% to 35,200 vehicles in September. Three markets set all-time monthly records: sales in the UK rose to 7,200 vehicles (up 33.2%); Switzerland reported an increase of 27.9% (1,700 sales); and Norway was up 27.7% (700 vehicles).

In the domestic Czech market, Skoda sold 5,100 vehicles in September. This means that every third Czech customer chose a car sporting the Winged Arrow.

In other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the brand was able to further strengthen its position during the month. Sales in Croatia increased by 85.9%, in Romania by 9.6%, in Hungary by 8.9% and in Ukraine by 7.1%.

Skoda’s strong momentum continued with high rates of growth in the emerging regions of Russia, India and China. In both Russia and India, ŠKODA sold more vehicles in the nine months to the end of September than it had in all of 2010. Deliveries in Russia rose by 63.1% to 6,500 in September, resulting in the brand’s second best month ever. Sales in India grew by 37.5% to 2,200 units. In China the car maker achieved a new monthly sales record with 21,100 vehicles delivered (up 9.8%).