Skoda recorded the highest new car sales increase of any manufacturer in the UK, 35% over 1999's total.

A significant contribution to this record figure was sales to the fleet and business sector with 5,964 units sold, accounting for 20% of total sales.

This year the business sales department is setting its sights on an 16% incremental increase on last year's business.

Total Skoda registrations were 29,255 units in 2000 and 21,738 in 1999, a 34.58% increase according to SMMT figures.

A major success story of last year has been sales to to the emergency services. Seventy Octavias have been supplied to police forces around the country. Skoda is now an approved manufacturer on the Home Office list.

John Rooney, head of business sales, attributed the success to "intelligent, rational choice and the growing acceptance of the Skoda badge".

"To go from selling 1,200 units in 1998 to almost 6,000 last year is testimony to the confidence placed in the brand," he saidon the business sales performance.

Residual values are also improving. At auction in January, against Cap figures, Fabias averaged 112% and Octavias 106%.

This year sees the launch of more Skoda product; the Octavia Estate 4x4, Octavia RS performance hatchback and the Fabia estate.

The highlight, Skoda promises, will be the executive-sized Skoda unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September.