SkodaSkodaCzech Rep., 1895 > present57 models
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has reached a very big milestone. Since opening in 1905, it has built 15 million cars. The event happened on February 5 as a silver, third-generation OctaviaSkoda Octavia (Modern)Czech Rep., 1996 > present3 series
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rolled off the line. The car will be kept by Skoda and used as a VIP car at the Skoda technology center in Cesana. 

Skoda is growing at a rapid pace. It built its 14 millionth car at the beginning of 2012 and five million cars in the past six years. Its goal is to build 1.5 million cars a year by 2018 after selling 939,200 cars in 2012. 

“Fifteen million produced cars are a symbol for the great development of the ŠKODA brand. We have been building vehicles for 118 years and automobiles since the year 1905. Thus we are among the automobile brands with the richest traditions in the world,” said Skoda Chairman Winfried Vahland.

Skoda plans to add eight new or refreshed cars in 2013. The first of these will be the new Octavia, which will go on sale in the Czech Republic and Germany first. The previous generation made up 44% of Skoda's annual sales; so the new car has to be a success. 

It has also begun building cars abroad. The YetiSkoda Yeti Gen.1Czech Rep., 2009 > present189 versions
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will be built in China starting in 2013. It will also start selling the RapidSkoda Rapid Gen.1Czech Rep., 2012 > present87 versions
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and Octavia in the Middle East. Skoda began building the Yeti in Russia at the very end of 2012, and the Octavia will be built in Russia by the end of the year.