Czech new-car sales down 2.7% in 2006

The number of new cars sold in the Czech Republic in 2006 was off 2.7% year-over-year at 123,987 units, but light commercial vehicle sales on which VAT can be refunded rose, the Car Importers' Association (SDA) said.

Some light commercial vehicles are actually passenger cars with only slight modifications.

Overall, the number of new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sold in the Czech Republic last year was up 4.2% on the year at 173,478 units.

Sales of light commercial vehicles rose by 26.8% year-on-year to 49,491 units. Around half were modified passenger cars on which owners can deduct VAT. Skoda raised sales by more than 51% to 11,835 units, followed by Volkswagen (6,016), Ford (5,575), Renault (3,674) and Citroen (3,353).

The top-selling brand in the category of new passenger cars was Skoda, with 51,833 units, a drop of 8.6% year-on-year. Renault came second, with 8,156 units, ahead of Volkswagen (7,116), Hyundai (6,028), Peugeot (5,772) and Ford (5,414).

The top-selling model was the Skoda Fabia, with 32,914 units, followed by the Octavia, with 14,608 units and Renault Thalia, with 2,714 units. Diesel-driven cars accounted for some 28% of the overall sales volume.

Top brands by number of registrations in 2006:
1.    Skoda              51,833
2.    Renault             8,156
3.    Volkswagen       7,116
4.    Hyundai             6,028
5.    Peugeot            5,772
6.    Ford                  5,414
7.    Citroen              5,348
8.    Toyota              4,506
9.    Opel                  3,238
10.  Fiat                   3,048