Skoda’s core model line, the Octavia, continues to be a success in Europe and elsewhere, with the Czech automaker announcing the production of the 500,000th third-generation Octavia, less than two years after its launch.

That brings the total to more than 4.46 million Octavia models delivered since 1996, when the first-generation model launched. This represents almost 40 percent of all the brand’s sales during this time. Manufactured in Europe, China, Russia and India, the current Skoda Octavia features more variants than ever before.

Customers can choose the saloon and estate, both available with front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. There’s also the Octavia RS (the fastest production Octavia of all time), the environmentally-friendly Octavia GreenLine (averages 3.2 l/100 km), the Octavia G-TEC with CNG drive, the Octavia Scout rugged all-rounder and the posh Octavia L&K available in Europe.

Launched at the beginning of 2012, the third-generation Octavia has proven to be a great sales hit. In Western Europe, Octavia sales have increased 24.7 percent by the end of November this year, setting new records in several countries.

In Central Europe, Octavia deliveries have increased more than 20 percent so far this year. During the first eleven months of the year, the Octavia was the best-selling new car of the month in countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland.

As Skoda’s largest individual market, China plays a central role for the brand and the Octavia. The model launched on the Chinese market in mid-2014 and by November 2014 achieved a sales increase of 112.4 percent.

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