In the first quarter, the Czech automobile manufacturer delivered 186,200 vehicles to customers worldwide (-25.4% compared to the same period last year). At 337 million euros, the operating result is 24.8 percent below the previous year, while the return on sales of 6.6 percent is a solid but lower level than last year. The main reasons are the ongoing lack of chips and the war-related disruptions in the supply chains from Ukraine. The NEXT LEVEL EFFICIENCY+ program will be consistently continued in the coming months. At the same time, the company expects the supply of parts to continue to improve throughout the second half of the year.
Christian Schenk, Skoda Auto Board Member for Finance and IT, says: “We have an extremely challenging first quarter behind us. In addition to the shortage of semiconductors, our supply chains are significantly disrupted due to the fighting in Ukraine. Nevertheless, we took active countermeasures and were able to support the operating effect. With a view to the further course of the year, we are consistently continuing our NEXT LEVEL EFFICIENCY+ cost and efficiency program to keep the burden on our finances as low as possible. Based on the current status, we expect to improve the supply of parts in the coming months starting in the second half of the year.”
Martin Jahn, Skoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing, adds: “Thanks to our new models such as the Skoda FABIA, the Skoda KAROQ, and the Skoda ENYAQ COUPÉ iV, we started the new year with confidence. However, the fighting in Ukraine slowed us down significantly. I want to thank our customers for their patience and continued trust in the Skoda brand and our importers and dealers for their great commitment. It is positive that we were able to restart the production of our Skoda ENYAQ iV electric SUV. We are doing everything we can to meet the continuing high demand for our models in the best possible way.”
The turnover of the Skoda Auto Group increased slightly to EUR 5.1 billion (+1.0% compared to the previous year) due to consolidation. While the operating result fell by 24.8 percent to 337 million euros, the return on sales reached a solid level of 6.6 percent. With its NEXT LEVEL EFFICIENCY+ program, Skoda Auto is countering the current challenges. The overarching, long-term goal is cost leadership in the European core competition and a sustainable return on sales of at least 8 percent. In addition, the program focuses on maximizing earnings potential and optimizing material, production, and fixed costs.
Due to the consolidation of Volkswagen Group Rus under Skoda Auto since the beginning of the year, the figures cannot be compared directly with the same period of the previous year.
