In the first six months of this year, the Czech car maker Skoda delivered 652,700 vehicles — a year-on-year increase of 11.6%.

Skoda (www.skoda-auto.com) delivered 116,500 units in June alone — a year-on-year increase of 10.8%.

The Kodiaq and Karoq SUV models continue to drive growth; and in June, the Kamiq compact SUV was successfully launched in China, which is Skoda’s largest single market.

Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier said: “The results of the first half of this year demonstrate the effectiveness of our model strategy. Our modern and wide range of models has been very well received by customers world-wide.

“However, in the second half of 2018, we are expecting bottlenecks due to the introduction of the new World-wide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure — WLTP — so deliveries of some vehicles will be delayed.”

In Western Europe, Skoda sales saw a 7.7% year-on-year increase in June (to 49,400 deliveries), and a 5.9% increase in the first half of the year (to 267,100 vehicles).

Skoda sales in Central Europe saw an 8.2% year-on-year increase in June (to 20,800 deliveries) and a 4.8% increase in the first half of the year (to 115,000 vehicles).

With 9,400 vehicles, the company’s Czech home market was up 5.8% on June last year; and the 52,000 vehicles sold in the first six months of the year represented a 1.4% increase.

From January to June, Skoda also recorded growth in Hungary, Croatia, Romania, the Baltic States, Serbia, Bulgaria and Bosnia. It delivered 36,300 vehicles to Russia — an increase of 26.6%.