Skoda Auto, a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, this month reached the seven million-production mark since the merger in 1991.

This milestone is especially significant as it coincides with Skoda achieving both the accolades of Europe's fastest growing manufacturer and of the brand being re-positioned as a market leader in terms of customer satisfaction. The most recent Customer Satisfaction Survey carried out by J. D. Power showed Skoda second only to Lexus in a survey of 32,000 UK motorists.

The product range has progressively expanded over the past 17 years and includes the entry level Fabia and Fabia Combi, Roomster, Octavia and Octavia Combi plus the all new Superb Saloon. Later this year, Skoda will have a dual launch of the new 4x4 Yeti SUV and for the first time a Superb Combi.

The foundation of the brand's successful growth has been their ability to incorporate the VW Group's developing technology into their own vehicles while maintaining their primary principle of value for money in all model ranges.

The company which was established in Mlada Boleslav in 1895 and is the world's third oldest motor vehicle manufacturer, now also has production plants in Slovenia and the emerging markets of Russia, China and India for their own domestic consumption.