à  KODA India: Sales increase by 15 percent to around 875,000 cars in 2011

In 2011, à  KODA's worldwide sales results based on preliminary figures increased by around 15 percent to around 875,000 vehicles, marking an all-time high. In India, à  KODA's sales grew to 30,005 units, up 50 percent as against the previous year. This is yet another record performance for à  KODA on the Indian market. In aiming for additional growth in coming years, the company says its new Rapid compact saloon, introduced a few weeks ago, is to play a central role.

Under its "2018 Growth Strategy", à  KODA aims to increase its global sales markedly to at least 1.5 million per year. In achieving this, emerging markets in general and India in particular will be pivotal. "à  KODA is on track for growth worldwide. In our view, the largest potential is mainly in growth markets such as India, Russia and China. Our plans are definitely focussed on the Indian market," says à  KODA CEO Prof. Dr. Winfried Vahland, adding: "We are putting our gas foot down in India and are set to keep on raising our sales here."

For à  KODA, 2011 has turned out to be the most successful year in company history, with this traditional Czech brand posting growth in all regions and increasing market shares.

In India, Ã  KODA not only increased sales by 50 percent to 30,005 units, Ã  KODA's market share in India also grew to 1.31 percent. The company says it is determined to take full advantage of this growth trend in the Indian market.

In doing so, the company is placing great importance on its new Indian compact saloon called à  KODA Rapid, which was introduced in late 2011. The Rapid is à  KODA's first foray into the Indian market's largest segment. Production at à  KODA's Pune plant makes the Rapid a car built in India and for India. The car is à  KODA's answer to growing demand in India for spacious yet compact cars.