Car production rises by almost one third in first quarter

Production of cars and light vehicles in the Czech Republic increased by 29.6 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2010, according to figures released on Tuesday by the country’s car makers’ association. Škoda Auto rolled out 37.6 percent more cars between the start of January and the start of April than in the same period in 2009. A representative of the industry’s umbrella body said the overall increase was largely due to the fact Škoda had seen low demand in the first quarter last year and a Hyundai in north Moravia went into full production. Over a quarter of a million cars were made in the Czech Republic in the first quarter of 2010.