Czech car production rises in first half of the year

Czech carmakers produced about 780,000 passenger cars in the first half of the year, around four percent more than a year earlier, according to the Automotive Industry Association. About 40 percent of all vehicles manufactured were electric or hybrid models, including roughly 130,000 fully electric cars. Market leader Škoda Auto increased production by nearly 10 percent, while Hyundai's output fell by about 10 percent. Toyota's production edged up slightly, with all cars built at its Czech plant powered by hybrid drivetrains. Bus, truck and motorcycle production also increased during the first six months of the year.