At long last SEAT makes a profit for VW Parent company, its is not huge but it is significant, and can only grow.

• Profit after-tax at 6 million euros
• The company posted 8.3 billion euros in revenue, the highest figure in history, and twice as much as in 2009
• SEAT generated an EBITDA of 400 million euros and operating cash flow grew by 50%
• SEAT’s investments and R&D expenditure totalled 586 million euros, 28% more than the previous financial year
• SEAT extends its SUV range with a crossover in 2017, wholly developed and manufactured in Martorell

SEAT underwent a major undertaking last year on the road to reaching sustainable profitability. The company closed 2015 with a profit after-tax of 6 million euros, compared to a 66 million euro loss in 2014. Growth in sales and a product mix with a higher contribution margin were the two main driving forces behind the change. 

SEAT posted a turnover of 8.3 billion euros, 11% more than the previous year. This was the company’s best ever result and double the revenue in 2009. Average earnings per vehicle increased by 3.5%.

“SEAT’s progress in 2015 was twofold – not only did we obtain a positive result for the first time since 2008, but we achieved it during a year of major challenges. We are implementing the right strategy that enables us to face the challenge of sustaining long-term profitability with optimism. We have a brilliant future ahead of us thanks to the launch of new products and the integration of new technologies in both the field of mobility as well as connectivity”, pointed out Luca de Meo, President of the SEAT Executive Committee, during the presentation of the 2015 annual results.

The growth in sales for the third year in a row, exceeding the 400,000 vehicle barrier in a single year, was the result of recuperation in southern European markets such as Spain and Italy, the fifth consecutive year of growth in Germany, SEAT’s main market, and the brand’s success in Mexico.

The sustained level of sales of the Leon and the Ibiza, with 2015 deliveries totalling 160,900 (+4.4%) and 153,600 (+2.4%) units respectively, the strong increase of the Alhambra (+17.2%) and the success of the Audi Q3 were beneficial to the volume as well as to SEAT’s revenue, which grew for the sixth year in a row. 

With its robust business performance, SEAT was able to respond to the increase of spendings on advertising and marketing to enhance brand familiarity, greater personnel expenditure associated with an increase in employee remuneration and the considerable increase in investments and R&D expenditure for the launch of new models, such as the work done to adapt Line 1 at the Martorell factory to the new MQB A0 platform. In 2015 SEAT spent 586 million euros on investments and R&D, 28% more than the previous year. Over the last five years, SEAT’s investment effort in this area has totalled roughly 2.7 billion euros.

Overall, the operating result improved by 96% and stood at -7 million euros compared to the  -167 of a year ago*. 

SEAT increased its ability to generate profit through its core activity. The company improved its EBIDTA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) by 30%, reaching 391 million euros, and increased operating cash flow by almost 50% to 781 million euros. The company’s Vice-President for Finance, IT and Organisation Holger Kintscher pointed out that “SEAT continues to improve its capacity to generate its own resources to self-finance investments and consolidate the company from a financial standpoint. After several years of improvement, last year was a true milestone on the road to sustainable profitability”. 

Employment

The increase in sales and production enabled the creation of 350 new jobs in the entire SEAT Group, including 100 engineers at the Technical Centre, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, as well as 48 young graduates of the company’s vocational training school. In total, the company destined 14 million euros to training programmes for its employees last year.

Future

SEAT expects to prolong its growth in 2016. Highlights for this year include the launch of the Ateca, the brand’s first SUV, which was recently presented at the Geneva Motor Show. The new model is a car that has been entirely created at the SEAT Technical Centre and will be commercially available this summer. 

The Ateca is just the beginning of the most ambitious product offensive in the history of SEAT. The company is going to intensify its commitment to the SUV segment and in 2017 will add a new model with the launch of a smaller all-road crossover to be developed and manufactured in Martorell. “This is excellent news for both the brand and our main factory because it is the fastest growing segment and symbolises a major step forward in making it the third pillar of the company, alongside the Ibiza and Leon families”, stressed Luca de Meo.

The company wants to be a reference in the automotive industry in the field of connectivity and has therefore entered into powerful alliances with technological leaders such as mobile giant Samsung as well as SAP, the world leader in business applications and networks and the Internet of Things (IoT).

The company is making progress towards the next level of the connected car. SEAT’s commitment is focussed on developing and equipping its cars with the latest technology in terms of connectivity and the utmost safety for drivers and customer data. In this sense, SEAT’s CONNECT versions have been on European roads since the summer of 2015 with the launch of the new Ibiza. The CONNECT version is featured on the entire SEAT range and by now represents 15% of sales since it was launched in June 2015.

The future calls for excellence in connectivity and SEAT intends to be at the vanguard of this technology. Company presence at the Mobile World Congress, together with Samsung, SAP and Accenture, for the second year in a row, is clear proof of SEAT’s commitment to connectivity.

(*) SEAT prepares its financial statements according to the Spanish General Accounting Plan, without including its subsidiaries. The Volkswagen Group applies international accounting standards (IAS/IFRS) and consolidates the SEAT brand figures.

SKODA 1 - New colour edition range showcases Skoda's design flare as well as it's value for money.

• New Colour Edition range showcases ŠKODA design flair and value for money
• Fabia Colour Editions feature striking colour combinations and generous equipment levels with up to £865 customer savings
• Citigo Colour Edition delivers exceptional value with customer savings of up to £630 with PID (Portable Infotainment Device) and black alloy wheels as standard

ŠKODA is injecting even more colour into retailers across the country with the arrival of new Colour Edition models. The Colour Edition trim is available on the Fabia and Citigo ranges and combine sharp design with feature-packed equipment lists that deliver serious savings for buyers.

Fabia Colour Edition

The new Fabia Colour Editions build on the strengths of the award-winning Fabia and deliver even better value for money. Based on the SE model, the new Fabia Colour Edition models marry striking looks with a generous equipment list and showcase the car’s powerful design language and adaptable colour schemes.

Customers can choose between six eye-catching colour combinations – carefully selected to highlight the Fabia’s acclaimed exterior design.

Colour	Roof	Alloys	Wing mirrors
Candy White	Black	Black	Black
Race Blue Metallic	Black	Black	Black
Race Blue Metallic	White	White	White
Black Magic Pearl	White	White	White
Rallye Green Metallic	Black	Black	Black
Rallye Green Metallic	White	White	White

As well as the contrasting colours for the roof, door mirrors and 16-inch ‘Beam’ alloy wheels, all Colour Edition models feature LED daytime running lights and cruise control as standard.

Despite its generous extras – normally adding £1,045 to the price of the SE – the Colour Edition costs just £540 more, giving customers an impressive saving of £505.

The new Fabia Colour edition is available with two engine options – 1.0 MPI 75PS or 1.2 TSI 90PS. The former is priced from £13,360 with the latter priced from £13,990.

Citigo Colour Edition

Equally stylish and every bit as value-packed as its bigger brother, the Citigo is also available as a Colour Edition model. Available in both three and five-door forms, the Citigo Colour Edition is powered by a 1.0 MPI 60PS engine and offers a considerable specification boost over the standard SE model.

Like the Fabia, it is available in a selection of colours; Tornado Red, Candy White, Deep Black Pearlescent and Spring Green and comes with sleek 15” Black ‘Auriga’ alloy wheels as standard. Colour Edition models come with Entertainment Pack (additional four speakers and multi-media holder), front fog lights, Special Colour, Sunset glass and PID (Portable Infotainment Device) as standard.

These options can add £1,485 to the price of an SE model. However, customers opting for the new Colour Edition get them all as part of the standard specification, saving of up to £630.

The Citigo Colour Edition range is priced from £9,990 for the three-door and £10,350 for the five-door model.  

This week ŠKODA took over a cold, wintry, street in London and transformed it with a burst of Spring colours and a pair of Colour Edition models to add some colour into people’s lives.

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.”

IRELAND - Hyundai is awarded the 2016 Car Of The Year, for the New Generation i20 Supermini.

• First time a Hyundai model has received top award in Northern Ireland
• New Generation i20 recognised for its sophisticated styling, high quality interior and stable and secure handling combined with unbeatable value
• Judged by members of the Ulster Motoring Writers’ Association
• New Generation i20 is Hyundai’s third best-selling model in the region

Hyundai Motor UK is celebrating yet another award victory after its New Generation i20 was named 2016 NIIB Northern Ireland ‘Car of the Year’ – the first time a Hyundai model has received this top award from the Ulster Motoring Writers’ Association (UMWA).

The ultra-stylish supermini was praised by Jim McCauley, Chairman of the UMWA: “The i20 has immediate appeal in terms of its sophisticated styling and high quality interior.  And the admiration continues as you take to the road with its stable and secure handling and an excellent choice of engines.  The final surprise is its competitive pricing for what is overall a quality package that represents excellent value for money, and is underwritten by a 5 Year unlimited mileage warranty.”

Tony Whitehorn, President & CEO: “We are delighted to receive this award from the Ulster Motoring Writers’ Association. The i20 has been and continues to be a very important car for the Hyundai brand. With the i20 Active and a new 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine joining the New Generation i20 5-door and Coupe range in early 2016, we believe it will continue to offer customers stylish, practical, economical and value for money alternatives in Britain’s most popular car sector.”

The New Generation i20 is a strong competitor in the popular B-segment and since its launch in January 2015, we have sold nearly 12,000 units across the UK. It is also the 3^rd biggest seller in Northern Ireland behind the ix35 and i10.

SEAT Launches the upgraded Ibiza CUPRA, the small car that drives like a car far bigger.

• Outstanding performance, thanks to power upgrade of 12PS to 192 PS
• 100 km/h in only 6.7 seconds, yet average fuel consumption of just 6.0 litres
• New premium interior – distinctive, powerful design
• Optimum connectivity with Full Link

The new Ibiza CUPRA shows the essence of the SEAT brand in its purest form – emotional design, outstanding performance and state-of-the-art technology unite to form one of the most dynamic cars in its class. 

With its compact dimensions and excellent functionality, the Ibiza CUPRA is the perfect hot hatch for everyday use. The performance generated by the 1.8-litre TSI engine is impressive – acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds, a top speed of 235 km/h – paired with exceptional efficiency. 

The new interior creates an extraordinary feeling of quality, while SEAT Full Link, the SEAT DriveApp and the SEAT ConnectApp enable optimum connectivity. In one area, however, there was very little room for improvement – the Ibiza’s emotional and dynamic design is incredibly well received by customers and is cited as the main reason for purchasing the Spanish model.

“The Ibiza CUPRA is an icon of the SEAT brand. Its striking design and refined performance promise driving pleasure mile after mile,” says Jürgen Stackmann, President of SEAT, S.A.  “With its innovative connectivity, upgraded interior and further improved quality, the new Ibiza CUPRA clearly shows the speed at which our brand continues to develop.”

A success story starts a new chapter. The first generation of the Ibiza CUPRA hit the road in 1996, with highly dynamic CUPRA models have developing to become a core element of the SEAT brand ever since. 

The next chapter of this story is being written by the new Ibiza CUPRA: 141 kW / 192 PS, XDS electronic differential lock, high-performance brakes, CUPRA Drive Profile with adjustable damping ­– the high level of technology in the new Ibiza CUPRA is as much as given as the extensive equipment with innovative details. 

One example is the new SEAT infotainment systems, which offer exclusive solutions for optimum smartphone integration with Full Link and the SEAT DriveApp.

“Responsive, powerful acceleration, extremely precise handling, good traction and fade-free brakes guarantee the kind of driving fun that the CUPRA name stands for,” says Dr. Matthias Rabe, Vice-President for Research and Development at SEAT S.A. “The new Ibiza CUPRA is a perfect example of how we at SEAT bring together the very latest technologies from the Volkswagen Group to create a unique and highly distinctive overall package.”

Exceptional performance, state-of-the-art technology

The new 1.8 TSI engine with turbocharger and combined direct / indirect injection is a compact piece of hi-tech that guarantees exceptionally refined performance from its 141 kW / 192 PS. 

Power is up by 12 PS compared with its predecessor, but the greater advance is in the torque. Instead of the previous 250 Nm, there are now 320 Nm on call – across an extremely broad rev range from 1,450 to 4,200 rpm. This delivers incredibly forceful pulling power in any given situation. 

A 0-100 km/h acceleration figure of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 235 km/h put it in the premier league of fast superminis. Nevertheless, the Ibiza CUPRA can still deliver impressive fuel economy of just 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres, on the combined cycle.

CUPRA Drive Profile with adaptive suspension

The Ibiza CUPRA comes as standard with 17-inch wheels and suspension tuned for maximum agility and precision. One new standard feature is the CUPRA Drive Profile, which allow its ride and handling characteristics to be adapted at the touch of a button to suit driver preferences. 

This encompasses CUPRA Selective Suspension, an adaptive suspension control system that let you choose between comfort or sport suspension and also modifies the steering behaviour. The XDS electronic differential lock dials out understeer and improves handling, especially under fast cornering. 

The ESP electronic stability system, complete with hill start assist and multi-collision brake, and tiredness detection system are likewise part of the standard safety package in the Ibiza CUPRA. The Ibiza has been awarded the highest five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test.

Expressive design with powerful lines

The expressive design conveys the character of the new Ibiza CUPRA from the very first glance – this dynamic compact car has a powerful and muscular stance. The exterior design is still very much up-to-the-minute and incredibly well received by customers and prospects alike. 

The edgy line of the standard bi-xenon lights is a typical element of the SEAT design language, perfectly integrated into the Ibiza’s sculptural form. The LED daytime running lights trace the line of the headlamp to form a unique light signature, as do the LED rear lights.

The side view of the three-door coupé is brought to life by the sharply executed lines and edges, while the accentuated rear shoulders and exclusive 17-inch wheels underline its performance. The high-gloss black exterior mirrors set a clear contrast to the Ibiza CUPRA’s paintwork. 

The powerful rear end once again emphasises the special role played by the Ibiza CUPRA as a hot hatch, with the broad bumper framing the substantial, matt-black diffuser, which incorporates the trapezoidal tailpipe.

Extensively upgraded interior

The upgrades in the redesigned interior are all the more apparent. The new design concept includes a harmonious balance between the car’s distinctive character, functionality and precision – evident in every line and every surface of the new interior. 

The cockpit’s horizontal proportions and driver focus make a compelling statement through the optimum layout of all elements and the soft-touch finish. The attention to detail is apparent in the new steering wheel from the Leon family, the air vents, the new instrument panel and the infotainment systems. 

This new interface in particular creates an intense relationship between driver and technology, with simple functionality and clear operation. The interior design reflects the inspiration of Barcelona, the home of SEAT, and is condensed into the characteristic simplicity of the brand’s feel.

Perfect connectivity with Full Link

Alongside MirrorLink^TM, the SEAT Full Link connectivity solution incorporates the functions of Apple Car Play^TM and Android Auto^TM. Users can be online, while retaining full concentration on the road, and make use of the various permitted functions conveniently and safely via the touchscreen in the new Ibiza. 

In the case of Apple CarPlay, those functions currently cover phone, messaging, music and maps, with more to follow in future. MirrorLink is another perfect technology that enables the safe operation of smartphones and many of their functions and apps via the Ibiza CUPRA’s infotainment system by “mirroring” the smartphone screen on the touchscreen in the redesigned Ibiza cockpit. 

This works seamlessly with a growing number of MirrorLink-compatible Android smartphones.

Android Auto provides quick and easy access to navigation, communications, and music applications and services in a way that is safer than accessing these apps on the phone screen while driving.

New SEAT DriveApp

The new SEAT DriveApp has been developed exclusive for users of SEAT FullLink and MirrorLink. It offers a whole range of innovative functions that can be used either in or outside the Ibiza CUPRA. 

For instance, the vehicle’s touchscreen can be personalised with local weather reports or contacts. Plus, the SEAT DriveApp uses “text to speech” to read out the latest posts from Facebook or Twitter, while “Challenger” offers interesting challenges to optimise driving skills, leading to a more efficient driving style. 

On leaving the vehicle, the “where is my car” function stores the Ibiza’s current position and finds it again whenever necessary.

New SEAT ConnectApp

The Spanish car maker has agreed a cooperation with Samsung for the development of innovative connectivity solutions and is offering the new SEAT ConnectApp within the MirrorLink technology as an initial step. 

It makes perfect use of MirrorLink integration – the driver is “always on”, yet remains fully concentrated on the traffic. One new and exclusive function is gesture control, enabling functions such as calls or contacts to be called up on the SEAT Media System touchscreen. The welcome screen of the SEAT ConnectApp can be personalised to display information such as the current weather forecast or appointments. With “smart tips”, the app learns personal preferences such as frequent destinations and can issue appointment reminders. 

A wide range of other functions are already available at launch of the SEAT ConnectApp, with regular updates scheduled to follow in the months ahead.

SEAT is the only company 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’s invoicing totalled almost 7.5 billion euros, the highest figure in its history, with worldwide sales of 390,500 units.

SEAT Group employs more than 14,000 professionals at its three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon. Additionally, the company produces the Alhambra in Portugal, the Mii in Slovakia and the Toledo in the Czech Republic. 

The multinational has a Technical Centre, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2015. This ‘knowledge hub’, bringing together close to 1,000 engineers, aims 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 activity on sustainability, namely reduction of CO₂ emissions and energy efficiency.