SEAT delivers growth in a large number of markets resulting in a a great year for the Spanish brand.

• Production in Martorell reaches its highest volume since 2001
• Luca de Meo – “The SUV is set to become the brand’s third major pillar”
• SEAT Quality director Joaquín Serra – “Quality is essential for competitiveness”

SEAT closed 2015 with increased sales for the third consecutive year. Brand deliveries broke the barrier of 400,000 vehicles sold in a year (400,037; +2.4%) for the first time since 2007, amounting to a growth of 25% since 2012 (321,000 vehicles).

SEAT Executive Committee Chairman Luca de Meo delivered the annual results this morning on the occasion of the first edition of the 2016 “Encuentros SEAT” meeting, under the title “Quality: success factor of Spanish industry.” 

The increase in sales is a result of recovery in Spain (77,200 vehicles; +14.3%) and Italy (15,900; +22.1%), the fifth consecutive year of growth in Germany (87,800; +3.8%) and the successful Mexican market (24,100; +13.2%), which is the fourth largest for SEAT. 

In addition, the brand achieved its best-ever sales results in countries such as Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Turkey, Israel, Tunisia and Morocco.

Regarding its model line-up, sales of the Leon went up by 4.4% (total: 160,900 units) and was once again the brand’s top-selling car. Meanwhile, the Alhambra posted the highest increase (17.2%) and achieved the second best sales result in its history (27,000). The Ibiza also made progress, with a 2.4% growth, amounting to a total of 153,600 delivered vehicles.

The sales increase, in addition to the success of the Audi Q3, boosted production in Martorell by 7.8% (total: 477,077 cars), reaching the highest figure since 2001. The Martorell plant manufactures the most cars in Spain and has recorded its sixth consecutive year of growth. Between 2009 and 2015, production volume went up by 60%.

When speaking about 2016, Luca de Meo explained that “the highlight of the year will be the launch of the first compact SUV in the history of the company”, which is due to reach the dealerships in the middle of the year. It will be joined by three more new models in 2016 and 2017. 

“The SUV is set to become the brand’s third major pillar, together with the Leon and the Ibiza, and will enable us to cover the fastest growing segment in recent years”, said SEAT Executive Committee Chairman.

Quality – a success factor

Furthermore, in his presentation, SEAT Quality Director Joaquín Serra highlighted the opportunities for the brand to improve competitivity through excellence in quality. 

“Design, quality and cost efficiency are key elements. The Quality department is involved in the entire cycle of the automobile, from vehicle design and development to supplier component industrialization and in-house production, all the way to after-sales service. The challenge for the entire Quality team is to make SEAT a distinctive brand with industrial excellence.”

Spanish Scrappage scheme works for the countries car sales in 2015, with over One Million sales in 2015.

Spanish new-car sales rose by 21 percent in 2015 to 1.03 million, vehicle manufacturers' association Anfac said on Monday. Registrations increased by 21 percent to 88,609 in December, Anfac said.

A Spanish government-backed subsidy scheme to boost new vehicle acquisitions has helped spur purchases over the last two years. In November, the government said it planned to renew the scheme for the eighth time until the middle of this year.

Under the scheme, owners who scrap their cars and buy a new one get 2,000 euros, half of which is provided by the government and half from the carmaker.

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GENEVA - New SEAT SUV, the 20V20, more details and better pictures.

• The showcar is a preview of the company’s strategic vision
• Stackmann: “SEAT is applying the ‘Leon Formula’ to the entire range”
• Sales of the brand are 7.5% higher at the start of 2015
• SEAT will present the first compact SUV in its history next year in Geneva

SEAT has its eyes firmly set on the year 2020. The Spanish carmaker revealed its strategic vision for the future in Geneva today with the 20V20 showcar (meaning Vision 2020), an SUV that sets the stage for the brand’s future and puts forward the new design language. “The 20V20 shows our ambition”, said SEAT President Jürgen Stackmann today during the company’s presentation at the Geneva Motor Show. “It is our guiding star and the lighthouse for our development for the coming five-year period”.

Stackmann emphasised that “SEAT will be applying the winning Leon product formula to the entire range. We've taken all product decisions to consolidate the successful path started with LEON and we have finalised our product plan for the coming years. SEAT will shift focus from the small car to the compact car category. The centre of gravity shifts upwards entering big, fast growing and more profitable segments”. In addition, Stackmann reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to enhancing connectivity, which is backed by the agreement announced yesterday with SAMSUNG.

The President of SEAT also announced that the brand continues having a positive momentum in the first two months of the year compared to the same period in 2014: “To date, our global sales have grown 7.5%”. Stackmann underscored that in 2014 SEAT sales improved by more than 10% for the second consecutive year and placed emphasis on the big EU markets, including Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy, where the brand displayed double-digit growth.

The success of the Leon family explains the brand’s surge in sales. “For the first time in our history we have sold more Leon than Ibiza. The Leon family is now complete”, summarised Stackmann, who announced the world premiere of SEAT’s first compact SUV at next year’s Geneva Motor Show.

20V20, SEAT’s strategic vision

The SEAT 20V20 combines the dynamic silhouette of a four-door sports coupé with the refinement of an SUV and the versatility and utility of a mid-size estate car. At a length of 4,659 metres and with its 20-inch wheels and the determined expression conveyed by its adaptive full-LED headlamps, this sports utility has a robust stance that is in no way aggressive, while the interior offers a generous amount of space and premium ambience for five. In addition, a comprenhensive package of driver assistance systems raises the levels of comfort and safety even further. The array of drive options is multi-faceted, ranging from the high-performance TSI and TDI motors to plug-in hybrids. The power is delivered to the wheels via the DSG transmission and electronically controlled all-wheel drive.

New Toledo FR Line, sportier and more versatile

The SEAT Toledo FR Line is another attraction presented by the Spanish brand at the Geneva Motor Show. The Toledo is now even sportier with its exclusive FR Line version, which offers an exclusive combination of sporty design and versatility at an exceptional price. Equipped with TSI and TDI engines with displacements ranging from 1.2 to 1.6 litres and full LED headlights that are unique in this segment, the new SEAT Toledo FR Line underscores its dynamic character with additional sills and a newly designed, powerful front end featuring more distinctive air intakes. With its 17-inch wheels painted in titanium grey, the Toledo FR Line has an even more masculine stance. A tinted rear windscreen and rear-side windows add emphasis to its taut lines. Its distinctive appearance is rounded off by exterior mirror casings painted in titanium grey, LED rear lights, fog lamps and FR logos front and back.

The Leon ST CUPRA completes the sportiest line-up

SEAT is also showcasing the new Leon ST CUPRA to the public in Geneva, which joins the three and five-door versions. The family sized estate version of SEAT’s sportiest model is a unique combination of top performance, style and utility. The Leon ST CUPRA 280 accelerates from 0 to100 km/h in just 6.0 seconds and features a maximum load space of 1,470 litres. The new Leon ST CUPRA is a consistent winner in terms of design, road manners and excellent value-for-money, and is the perfect sports car for all aspects of life, from work and family, to sports and hobbies.

In the following link: http://seat-presskit.com/en you can find the SEAT press kit of Geneva Motor Show

SEAT is the only company in its sector with the full-range capacity to design, develop, manufacture and market cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting more than 80% of its vehicles, and is present in 75 countries. In 2014 SEAT achieve worldwide sales of 390,500 units.

SEAT Group employs 14,000 professionals at its three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon, amongst other models. Additionally, the company produces the Alhambra in Palmela (Portugal), the Mii in Bratislava (Slovakia) and the Toledo in Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic). 

The Spanish multinational also has a Technical Center, a ‘knowledge hub’, bringing together 900 engineers whose goal is to be the driving force behind innovation for the number one industrial investor in R&D in Spain. In line with its declared commitment to environmental protection, SEAT undertakes and bases its core activity on sustainability, namely reduction of CO₂ emissions, energy efficiency, as well as recycling and re-use of resources.

GENEVA - SEAT debuts first SUV Concept, the 20V20.

• Prospect of an extremely dynamic, four-door midsize compact SUV
• Evolution of the Spanish brand’s seductive design language
• Innovative driving technologies, assistance systems and connectivity

This evening, SEAT President Jürgen Stackmann presented the brand’s 20V20 showcar at the Volkswagen Group media event, a prelude to tomorrow’s opening of the Geneva Motor Show.

The SEAT 20V20 (meaning Vision 2020) delivers a clear vision of the brand’s future in the form of a powerful, exceptionally sporty SUV. The sculptural silhouette of this car reveals the systematic development of the Spanish carmaker’s seductive design language. The 20V20 reinvents the concept of an SUV and takes aesthetics and driving pleasure to the highest level in a car that redefines sportiness.

Speaking at the Volkswagen Group media evening, Jürgen Stackmann stated that “the 20V20 reflects SEAT’s ambition in the future. With this show car we are highlighting how we intend to develop our brand’s design language. At SEAT we aim to develop and produce highly emotional cars that appeal to our customers, with plenty of character, innovative design, modern technology, quality and precision at an affordable price. With these values that characterise SEAT and set us apart from the competition, we strive to be, and will be, the first choice of young-spirited, dynamic customers”. 

The SEAT showcar combines the dynamic styling of a sporty four-door coupé with the elegance of an SUV and the versatility of a compact. Featuring 20 inch wheels and full LED headlights that project an expressive head-on look, this SUV has an unmistakable presence, while the interior points to a spacious, high-quality passenger compartment that comfortably accommodates five people. In addition, a complete package of driver assistance systems further enhances the levels of onboard comfort and safety.

Special mention goes to the fact that the SEAT 20V20 offers a suitable platform for all types of engines, ranging from the high-performance TSI and TDI motors to plug-in hybrids. At the same time, a DSG gearbox transfers the engine’s power to the wheels and it features electronically controlled four-wheel drive.

SEAT is the only company in its sector with the full-range capacity to design, develop, manufacture and market cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting more than 80% of its vehicles, and is present in 75 countries. In 2014 SEAT achieve worldwide sales of 390,500 units.

SEAT Group employs 14,000 professionals at its three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon, amongst other models. Additionally, the company produces the Alhambra in Palmela (Portugal), the Mii in Bratislava (Slovakia) and the Toledo in Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic). 

The Spanish multinational also has a Technical Center, a ‘knowledge hub’, bringing together 900 engineers whose goal is to be the driving force behind innovation for the number one industrial investor in R&D in Spain. In line with its declared commitment to environmental protection, SEAT undertakes and bases its core activity on sustainability, namely reduction of CO₂ emissions, energy efficiency, as well as recycling and re-use of resources.