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Czech Skoda Auto 2002 net hit by currency strength

MLADA BOLESLAV, Czech Republic, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Skoda Auto, east Europe's largest car maker and a unit of Germany's Volkswagen AG , said on Wednesday that slumping sales had pushed its 2002 net profit down to 1.83 billion Czech crowns ($62.27 million) from 2.1 billion.

The auto maker, a major exporter, has long warned that revenues were being hit by the Czech Republic's strong crown currency, which at times last year was up as much as 17 percent against the euro. Its operating profit fell to 3.68 billion crowns from 5.88 billion crowns.

The firm said total sales eased to 145.7 billion crowns from 153.27 billion the previous year.