Seat and Skoda post record financial results despite ‘Dieselgate’
Skoda and Seat – two of the four largest brands in the Volkswagen Group portfolio – have announced record financial results in spite of the ongoing ‘Dieselgate’ emission scandal.
Czech brand Skoda revealed that 2015’s €12.5bn global sales revenue was a record for the company, as was the 1,055,500 vehicles the company delivered.
Seat, meanwhile, told those present at its annual press conference that the Spanish brand had made an after-tax profit for the first time since 2008. The Martorell-based car maker also enjoyed an 11% increase in annual turnover, raking in a record €8.3bn.
The news comes less than six months after the two manufacturers were involved in the ‘Dieselgate’ scandal, which broke when VW Group diesel engines were found to exceed limits for nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
Just a few weeks ago sister brand Audi also announced its financial results for 2015, but the Ingolstadt company revealed that profits had dipped by 6%, even though sales had actually risen.
Both brands also used their press conferences to announce imminent SUVs. Skoda confirmed that a VisionS-inspired “large SUV” would be launched at the Paris Motor Show in the autumn, while Seat made public plans to bring out a Nissan Juke-rivalling SUV. Designed to sit below the recently revealed Ateca in the Seat range, the newcomer is likely to use Ibiza underpinnings.