PRAGUE (Reuters) -- Skoda set a record for sales for the month of October, shrinking the decline it has seen since the start of the year thanks to the launch of new models.
The carmaker sold 83,800 vehicles in October, an 8 percent year-on-year rise. In the January to October period it sold 768,700 units, down 3 percent after a drop of 5 percent during the first nine months of the year.
Skoda said it saw double-digit growth in European sales in October, including a 24 percent rise in Germany.
"Despite some difficult market conditions, new orders continue to develop positively," Skoda said in a release.
Sales of the new Octavia compact has exceeded expectations. Skoda said. In western Europe, sales of the new Octavia increased by 50 percent in October and in central Europe by 23 percent compared to the same month last year. The market launch for the new-generation Octavia in China is set for next year.
Skoda expects the new Rapid Spaceback to boost sales as the compact model debuts in European markets. Pre-orders are already coming in for the fundamentally revised Yeti subcompact SUV, which launches in January .
Skoda sales increased by 17 percent to 32,400 in western Europe in October.
Automotive News Europe contributed to this report
