Skoda cars enjoy record worldwide sales in '09

Skoda cars achieved record sales in 2009, according to the latest figures.

The carmaker says it sold 684,226 cars around the world last year, representing a 1.4 per cent increase on 2008.

Western Europe in general appears to have been a profitable market for Skoda cars, while there was a record year in the UK where 37,200 car sales amounted to a market share of 1.9 per cent for the brand.

The Fabia was the company's best-selling model in the UK at 18,500 units, Skoda revealed.

"We have been helped by the strategic and rapidly developing Chinese market; also interest from customers in western Europe strengthened following the introduction of the car scrappage bonus," said Reinhard Fleger, the member of Skoda Auto's board of directors who is responsible for sales.

This week a number of approved dealers are offering drivers of new and used Skoda cars the chance to take their vehicles in for free "winter health checks", which include an inspection of the battery, coolant levels, windscreen wipers and tyres.