SEAT continues to push forward with more sales growth in the first six months compares to a year ago.

• The brand sold 216,500 vehicles in the first six months of 2015
• Sales of the Leon ST rocketed by 46%
• The new Ibiza and Alhambra update the range

SEAT sales worldwide continue their steady growth trend that began in 2013. The Spanish carmaker concluded the first semester of this year with 216,500 deliveries, which represents an 8.2% increase over the same period in 2014 (200,100). 

This figure is the best first half result since 2007 and it was achieved thanks to the performance of all the models.

Once again, the Leon spearheaded SEAT’s results. Sales of the compact car went up by 9.9% to 86,300 vehicles, or 7,700 more than in the first half of 2014 (78,600). The Leon ST estate also sold well, posting a 45.9% increase (total: 30,900) and already accounts for 35.7% of the total Leon family volume. 

In addition, Ibiza continued its upward trend, and at a 6.6% increase, reached 84,500 vehicles, 5,400 more than in the first six months of 2014. The Alhambra also made firm strides and established itself as the third best-selling model in the range. With a rise of 14.6%, sales in the first semester of the year stood at 13,100 units.

SEAT President Jürgen Stackmann underscored that the brand is continuing its positive rate of growth. “Our sales are increasing steadily for the third consecutive year. 

We are satisfied with all the models in our range and trust they will enable us to keep growing in the upcoming months, although we must pay close attention to how our main markets are evolving”. Stackmann pointed out that “the new Ibiza and Alhambra will drive the sales of these models. 

In addition, we are working on presenting even more recent developments in our current range and we are getting ready to launch our compact SUV next year”. 

Spain, Germany, Italy and Turkey, at the forefront of growth

SEAT increased deliveries by 9.0% in Western Europe in the first half of the year (172,500; 2014: 158,300). The recovery of the car industry in Spain and the seasonal effect of sales continue to place the country as SEAT’s main market during this period, with an increase of 20.3% (47,200; 2014: 39,200). The Leon and the Ibiza were the two top-selling models in Spain. 

In Germany, SEAT marketed 44,900 vehicles (2014: 42,300), an increase of 6.2%, and closed the first semester with a 3% market share as well as entering the top ten car brands list. Italy and Portugal also consolidated the positive momentum and grew by 37.2% (total: 9,000; 2014: 6,600) and 18.1% (total: 4,400; 2014: 3,700), respectively.

In Central and Eastern Europe, SEAT progress is prominent in the Czech Republic, the brand’s main market in the region, where sales went up by 11.1%, with deliveries of 4,300 vehicles (2014: 3,900), and even higher in Poland, by 33.5% (total: 4,300; 2014: 3,200). 

Other standout countries around the globe were Mexico (+10.6%; 11,400), Turkey (+68.4%; 6,600) and Israel (+60.6%; 5,200). All three are in the top ten markets in the world with the highest sales of SEAT vehicles.

Martorell produced 10.5% more

The Martorell factory closed the first half of the year with a production increase of 10.5% compared to the same period in 2014, reaching 264,400 vehicles, or 25,300 more (2014: 239,100). The success of the SEAT models produced in Martorell, together with the Audi Q3, consolidate SEAT as the factory with the highest output in Spain. 

The brand’s production levels in Palmela (Portugal), Bratislava (Slovakia) and Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic) grew by 8.1% in the first semester, where SEAT produced a total of 35,900 vehicles (2014: 33,200).

FIVE Million and still going great guns, that will be the SEAT Ibiza - HAPPY BIRTHDAY

• Paris Motor Show is the backdrop for 30^th anniversary of SEAT’s most iconic model 
• The first ever Ibiza was unveiled in 1984 at Paris Motor Show 

SEAT’s Martorell plant in Barcelona, Spain, is celebrating the production of the 5 millionth Ibiza. The Spanish Brand reached the milestone on the iconic model’s 30^th anniversary.

Employees on the production line of the best-selling car celebrated with SEAT Executive Committee Chairman Jürgen Stackmann, Vice-President for Production Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Head of Martorell Production Plant Stefan Loth, Mercedes Álvarez, SEAT Ibiza Product Management and Works Committee Chairman Matías Carnero.

This week SEAT will celebrate the 30 anniversary of its iconic Ibiza at the Paris Motor Show, which is where the first-ever Ibiza was unveiled to the world three decades ago. The Spanish Brand will also unveil the Leon X-PERIENCE, the brand’s most adventurous version of its compact car.

Since its launch in 1984, the SEAT Ibiza has become the best-selling and most-exported Spanish passenger car. Seventy per cent of those 5 million cars (about 3.5 million) have been sold outside Spain in more than 75 countries where the company has a presence. Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Mexico have proved to be the most important markets for the best-selling car in SEAT’s history.

Esther García Castellanos, a member of the SEAT Ibiza production team for more than a decade, said: “SEAT has always been a part of my life. My father was an employee at the SEAT plant in the Zona Franca, and this is the company that has given me the opportunity to get ahead in my career. I have always worked on the Ibiza production line. For me, reaching the figure of 5 million cars produced is the result of the passion we put in every day, the motivation of the personnel and positive proof of a job well done.”

Did you know that…?

• 700 SEAT Ibiza leave the Martorell plant every day
• It employs around 1,600 people
• Around 700 robots contribute to the success of the SEAT Ibiza
• A SEAT Ibiza covers around 12 km throughout its production process
• 5 million SEAT Ibiza placed end-to-end would stretch almost 19,300 km, the distance between Martorell and Auckland in New Zealand
• The 5 million units have consumed a total of 70 million kilograms of paint
• The SEAT Ibiza with female touches:
  • The first SEAT to open the door to women on the production line
  • Women account for 21% of the production line
  • Two pop icons, Shakira and Katy Perry, have provided the music for the best-selling car’s advertising spots
• The approximate price of the SEAT Ibiza in 1984 was 825,000 pesetas (4,950€). This is the equivalent of 15,620€ at today’s prices
• The SEAT Ibiza was the official car at the Barcelona Olympic Games 1992