SEAT

SEAT, S.A. (acronym for Sociedad Española de Automóviles y Turismo, name with which it was originally named), is a Spanish automobile company founded by the late National Institute of Industry on May 9, 1950.

In 1986, SEAT was privatized and the German group Volkswagen acquired a majority stake in the company, and since then SEAT is a subsidiary that belongs to the Volkswagen group together with Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Ducati, Italdesign Giugiaro, Lamborghini, MAN, Porsche, Scania and Škoda. In turn, within the group, SEAT has developed in recent years as a company with two major brands: SEAT and CUPRA. Beyond automobiles, the company has SEAT MÓ, its mobility business unit urban and sustainable, and SEAT:CODE, its center for the development of software and digital solutions.

SEAT is the only company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets automobiles in Spain. Its headquarters have been located since 1993 in the industrial complex in the Spanish town of Martorell (Barcelona), where in 2020 more than 350,000 vehicles were produced and more than 427,000 sold. The company is present in 75 countries through a network of more than 1,700 dealers and exported more than 557,000 vehicles, remaining one of the largest exporting companies in the country.

In 2018, SEAT launched its first subsidiary, called SEAT Cupra, S.A.U., marketed under the name of Cupra, with an independent logo, focused on sports versions. It also created XMOBA Ventures, with the in order to develop new urban mobility solutions in large cities, which since 2020 has been renamed SEAT MÓ. In 2021, SEAT MÓ reached 70 points of sale in Spain.

History

Origin

On June 7, 1949, the government published a decree entrusting the creation of the company to the National Institute of Industry (INI). SEAT (Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo) was founded in 1950 by the INI with the aim of motorizing post-war Spain by manufacturing Italian Fiat automobiles under license. For its constitution, a company was created with a capital of 600 million pesetas, of which the INI had 51% of the shares, the Spanish bank 42% and the private company Fiat, the main Italian car manufacturer (which acted as technological partner) the remaining 7%.

It began with its industrial activity at the plant in the Zona Franca de Barcelona. Production began in May 1953 with the SEAT 1400, a direct derivative of the Fiat 1400 from 1950. The popular SEAT 600 did not arrive until June 1957 with a price of 65,000 pesetas, around €390 today (eight times the average wage in the time), which would drop in later years.

The name "SEAT" comes from the acronym of Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo, chosen looking for a pronunciation and spelling similar to Fiat (acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) in order to "nationalize", according to the custom of the time, the vehicles, which were otherwise derivatives of their Italian counterparts. Its first president was José Ortiz Echagüe, CASA's founding engineer, who had the collaboration of three deputy directors: Luis Villar Molina, Luis Ramírez Arroyo and Vicente Fernández-Urrutia. The Spanish State maintained an important participation in society through the INI. When Fiat withdrew in 1980, the Volkswagen Group acquired the majority of the shares of the Spanish state's participation in 1986, becoming the sole shareholder.

Precedents

Fiat's interest in establishing itself in Spain dates back to the acquisition of the Guadalajara factory La Hispano —a subsidiary of Hispano-Suiza, which was forced to divest itself during the Second Republic—, where the Fiat 514s were manufactured, also "nationalized" as Hispano-514 between 1931 and 1935. After the civil war, the Sociedad Ibérica de Automóviles de Turismo (SIAT) was created in 1940, also with FIAT as a technological partner (note the similarity of the name) along with private banks (the Banco Urquijo) and a group of industries, among which was Hispano-Suiza. The company, however, did not produce any model because the Ministry of Industry conditioned its implementation on the participation of the State, which was not possible until the constitution of the INI in 1941. Finally, the INI ended up buying Hispano-Suiza to integrate it into another national company —ENASA, founded years before—, although the specialized Hispano-Suiza workers still available ended up forming part of the SEAT staff in the Free Zone.

At the same time, and also with the aim of motorizing the country (whose vehicle fleet had fallen by 40% on the pre-war fleet), private capital companies were authorized to produce automobiles using foreign technology such as FASA, Citroën Hispania, Authi or Metalúrgica de Santa Ana, the particular initiatives for the production of automobiles using Spanish technology being anecdotal.

Historical models

The first model produced was the 1400, after the initial idea of making the Fiat 1100 was dropped. The 1400 was produced in a wide range of versions. Production began in 1953, ending with the C from 1960, which used the mechanics of the 1400 B Special but with the "big" of the Fiat 1800/2100, and that in 1963 would change its name to incorporate the modern engine of the Fiat 1500, thus giving birth to the popular 1500, although this one with some slight modification on its front.

The second model to leave the Free Zone was the 600, SEAT's most emblematic model, its production began in 1957 and ended in the summer of 1973, approximately 800,000 units were manufactured. It was the main vehicle in the motorization process of the Spanish middle class, of which the N, D, E, L Especial versions and other minority variants of the model were manufactured, such as its 4-door version called 800. After it, it came to the production lines of the aforementioned 1500, a true benchmark of luxury in Spain in the 60s, first with the single-headlight versions, followed later by the two-headlight versions. The diesel versions that used other names also stood out, such as the SEAT 1800 D and SEAT 2000 D. In 1966 the 850 appeared, conceived in Italy as an improved 600 (better finishes, better performance, fewer defects, etc...), which had also widely distributed. In Spain an unprecedented 4-door version appeared; first it was the “Short” 4p version, which only had 417 units, and later, the “Largo”, which was much more successful, apart from the versions with sports bodies, the SEAT 850 Coupé, 850 Sport Coupé and 850 Sport. The latter was the version popularly known as Spider, that is to say the convertible variant.

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  SEAT 600.

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  Several SEAT 600.

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  SEAT 850 Sport, popularly known as "Spider".

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  SEAT 124 Sport.

After the 850, the 124, Car of the Year in Europe, arrived in 1968 from Italy, which was very significant, not only in the history of SEAT, but also in the Spanish motor world. Its 1,197 cm³ engine, its 60 CV, its more than 140 km/h maximum speed and its wide bodywork made it the first authentic Spanish family saloon, in addition it also had a second family bodywork, the so-called rancheras of the time. Its great success meant that it was in production for 12 years in two main stages, (in the first with the series round lighthouse 68-75 and in the second with the series square lighthouse Pamplona 75-80 ). It was the model that served as the basis for later ones such as the 1430, which appeared in 1969, and in a higher category than the 124. Its 1,438 cm³ engine produced 70 CV. Versions with sportier bodies were also made: the 124 Sport, with 2 doors, with 1600 and 1800 engines with double overhead camshafts (DOHC); an exponent of the glamor of the time.

1973 was a memorable year for SEAT with the arrival of the bialbero or biárbol (double camshaft) engines, which provided the brand with numerous successes. It basically had two versions: 1600 and 1800; Both engines were assembled for the first time in Spain in the model that replaced the 1500, the 132, the most luxurious car manufactured by SEAT until 1980. Other versions would come later, such as the 2000, which was the highest engine of the time.

In 1972 another of SEAT's great moments took place, with the arrival of the 127 model (1972-1985), the first model with front-wheel drive. It was manufactured in up to three different series, the last of which, redesigned, was the "Fura" and "Fura Dos" for export, which came to have a high-performance "Crono" version with the mythical 1430 engine. To manufacture the homokinetic joints that front-wheel drive requires, SEAT built a specific factory in Galicia — Indugasa —, whose capital it shared with Citroën Hispania. Also, unlike Italy, the 127 did have a 4-door version, designed in Spain and widely exported.

In 1974, before the cessation of production of the 850 and 600, the 133 was launched, a model already outdated from its birth, but which was successful among those nostalgic for the "all back", model which was exported as a Fiat and manufactured in Argentina and Egypt. In 1975 the 131 arrived, replacing the 1430, which remained in production until 1982, marking another milestone. Since its appearance — when the 124 Pamplona had become the most popular saloon — buyers came to have a whole range of saloon-type vehicles, counting since then with the 131 as a medium-high range saloon and the 132 in the high range, ending the era of accelerated motorization, when you had to sign up for waiting lists until months later you were assigned a SEAT 600.

In 1976 the 1,200 Sport appeared and later its more powerful version, the Sport 1430, popularly known as the SEAT Bocanegra. It was a sports car with the base of the 127 and mechanics of the 124 conceived in Spain by Inducar, and to whom the arrival of the 128 harmed in a certain way; The car presented some stability problems that decreased its sales, and which according to some motor magazine were due to the fact that the worker in charge of establishing the location of some steering and suspension anchor holes did so with a displacement of 18 mm on the situation designed by the engineers, which produced strange reactions in daily use.

In 1979 the "Ritmo" was launched, with an avant-garde design, which was replaced in 1982 by the "Ronda" due to problems with Fiat. The Japanese company Honda sued SEAT for the similarity of the name of the Ronda model with its own brand, reaching a commercial agreement whereby SEAT would stop manufacturing the Ronda in 1986, without Honda interceding in its marketing in those years.

Also in 1979, manufacturing of SEAT's Lancia Beta began, in Coupé and HPE liftback versions, at the factory in Landaben (Pamplona), which were equipped with the two-liter engine used in the 132, with a displacement somewhat reduced compared to its Italian counterparts for fiscal reasons, and which represented a civilized substitute already with front-wheel drive and independent suspension to the "crazy" (124 Sport) nicknamed this way because of the behavior imposed by its design (rear-wheel drive and rigid axle).

In 1980 the Panda had been launched, which from 1986, under the name of "Marbella", continued its path of success until 1997. In 1984, already under the supervision of Volkswagen (in general, VAG), the the “Ibiza”, with numerous newly developed System Porsche engines (1.2, 1.5 and 1.7) and a diesel variant (1.7) of Fiat origin, which coexisted for some time with the Fura. It would be followed at the end of 1984 by the appearance of the "Málaga", a sedan vehicle derived from the Ronda, which had certain design features similar to the Ibiza I, especially on the front, to give a brand image. In 1991, the "Toledo" was launched, SEAT's first liftback saloon and the first car developed in cooperation with the Volkswagen Group, sharing several elements, ranging from the platform, details such as the instrumentation and the use of engines already coming Volkswagen, which meant a great leap in quality, to relaunch the brand.

SEAT alliances and preparers

SEAT had alliances with multiple bodywork companies that made preparations, transforming various SEAT models. Some remained as limited editions, and others as unique copies or prototypes.

• Siata Española S.A.: The Tarraconian company Siata Española mainly developed special bodyworks for SEAT, some under Italian license, and others with its own design. Among its creations derived from SEAT 600 we can highlight with modified engine up to 750cc (more power, thanks to new pistons), the Siata Ampurias, with a three-volume body, the Siata Turisa with spider body, the Siata Tarraco with four-seater coupé body with 750cc or 850cc engines and the 2 van chariots the Formichevan and the Siata.

• Carrocerías Galobart: located in Barcelona in the Les Corts district, created a small sport: the SEAT 600 GABOR.

• Serra: The Catalan body Pedro Serra, made a lot of modifications in SEAT vehicles; in (1959) SEAT 1400 cabriolet by Pedro Serra, SEAT 1400 C Sport Prototype, SEAT 1400 Sedan, (1960) SEAT 1400 A Sport Spider, SEAT 1400 Coupé, (1961) SEAT 600 Cabriolet Serra Cou67) SEAT 600 SEAT 600 SEAT Sport72 He also made SEAT preparations within the company Corver like the SEAT 600 Corver Serra with a limited series of 16 units (1964), 1500 Coupé with a limited edition of 2 units (1965) “SEAT 600-1000 Corver Cabriolet” (1965) and finally for the 1966 Barcelona Hall, Serra received the commission of Corver of a new convertible body on the basis of the SEAT 600 with powered mechanics that would remain a prototype.

• DDauto:Development of Automotive) modified some models of the brand, enhancing its sports features, such as the 124 DDauto, the 1430 Special 1800 DDauto, and 127 DDauto.

• Costa ( later Inducing): Carrocerías Costa de Tarrasa dedicated himself to carving trucks and manufacturing motorcycles, being from the support of SEAT in the early 1960s when he focuses all his work on the transformation of SEAT 600 in SEAT 800 and SEAT 850 into a four-door berline. It has already made SEAT Costa vans, similar to the Siata Formichetta, although with some design differences in the height of the box, opening the capo and other small details. They also made a 1500 Coupé that was a 2-door version of the normal berlin.

In 1972, when he was already Inducar (Industrial de Carrocerías, Sociedad Cooperativa), he developed the design of the SEAT 1200 Sport. Inducar also had a great project, the 1430 Coupé Inducar, which was a two-door version of that model, which SEAT ultimately discarded.

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  SEAT 1500 adapted as an ambulance.

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  SEAT Formichetta.

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  SEAT Emelba 127 Pick Up and Elba.

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  SEAT Panda Emelba 5 doors.

• Abarth: is an Italian subsidiary of Fiat that makes preparations with a kit type competition, at the time SEAT was part of the group Fiat. He shared some of these preparations, and he was even made of his own. The SEAT 600 Abarth, 131 Abarth, 127 2nd Abarth series, Panda Abarth and Fura Crono Abarth are outstanding.

• Astesa: It was a Catalan firm that developed prototypes, among which it made in the 1980s an asymmetrical SEAT saga, highlighting the Asymmetric Round and the Ibiza I (sedan and family) among others.

• Imesa: This Galician company was dedicated to the recreational machines, but since the mid 80's it made a bi-place pick-up with fiber body, based on the SEAT Ronda / SEAT Málaga L o D (1714 cm3 and 55 CV). They set up the later SEAT Panda pilots and could carry a fiber roof to close the cargo area.

• Iresa (International Racing Engineering): Commonly known as IRESA, it is a Catalan company dedicated to making automotive elements that improved car performance, such as exhaust kit, carburation, etc.. Many of these improved elements were included in SEAT 1200, 127 and 128.

• Emelba: It was a small Catalan manufacturer with factoria in the population of Arbucias, which produced commercial derivatives based basically on several SEAT models: Poker (based on SEAT 127), Elba (based on SEAT Ritmo), under the SEAT Mini Round - autocaravan presented in 1986 and a version of 7 positions of the Round. As a prototype he also developed a monovolume with 7 squares called Emelba Seven, based on the first generation SEAT Ibiza, and many more projects that did not come to light due to the disappearance of the brand.

• Mirsan: It was dedicated to making bodywork for ambulance and funeral cars. The company was in Játiva, Valencia. Subsequently, the company changes its name to Cotex.

• PV batteries: Company dedicated to the modification of tourism for its transformation to ambulances or funeral vehicles mainly. SEAT vehicles include the SEAT 132 elongated.

• The firm Hispano Alemán, manufactured a vehicle called Mallorca between the years 1971/1976, being equipped with the mechanical elements from SEAT, among them the proven 1430 engine that SEAT mounted on the cars that were manufactured at that time, and in some units was placed another famous SEAT engine; the 1800 "Bialbero". Apart from the mechanical elements, some units also looked at the same later SEAT 1430 pilots.

• Carrozauto: Known Madrid company in the car circle, created a variant of SEAT 600 known as Gredos 600 Sport, a beach vehicle with the modification of the body made in polyester resin stratified and fiberglass.

The body work carried out remains in sporty aesthetic kits, exclusive upholstery and engine reprogramming. To mention some important preparers that perform these preparations are: JE Design and Revo.

Due to this customization trend, SEAT has its own body kits for almost all its models as original accessories.

The exit of Fiat and the entry of Volkswagen

Manufacturing agreements

Once the international isolation after the civil war was overcome, a period of industrialization known as autarchy began in Spain, characterized by the creation of public companies, the "National Companies", for the production of capital goods in Spain with a maximum of domestically manufactured components.

In this context, SEAT and ENASA were created with the aim of supplying passenger cars and heavy vehicles to an obsolete vehicle fleet, which had decreased by 40% at the end of the civil war and which was nourished by the scarce possible imports made in valuable currencies.

For its constitution, a company had been created in which the INI and the Spanish banks held the majority of the shares and Fiat owned 7%, through a formula that Fiat would later use extensively; the so-called accordi di fabbricazione.

In these agreements Fiat was the "technology partner" who earned a return through royalties. The agreements were put into practice throughout the world and in all types of economies, from European democracies such as Austria -Steyr-Daimler-Puch- or France -SAFAF/Simca, to developing countries such as Argentina -Fiat Concord. -, planned economies (Soviet Union -AvtoVAZ-, Poland-FSO- or Yugoslavia -Zastava) or authoritarian governments (Spain, Turkey -TOFAŞ- or South Korea-Asia Motors-).

In many of these companies, the Fiat parent company maintained little or no shareholding control, as was the case initially with SEAT. However, over the years and the opening of the regime, control reached 37%, paving the way for future integration.

The agreements have evolved as the country moves from autarky to developmentalism. With the agreements of 1967 and 1970, the INI achieves, in exchange for expanding the participation of Fiat and tax deductions, two of its strategic objectives: the export permit and the autonomy to modify Fiat models with the creation of the Martorell Technical Center, which would develop the SEAT 133 and the SEAT 1200 Sport.

These models and especially those manufactured for Fiat (the 127 4-door and the 131 Familiar exclusively, the 600 and 850 after their production ceased in Italy or the 131 in the Free Zone complementing the Mirafiori ones), allow the takeoff of exports, which in the mid-70s already reached 20%, favored by the labor situation in Italy and the Preferential Treaty with the EEC. The units destined for export were marketed through the Fiat network and followed the specifications of the Italian range, although they mounted the logo "FIAT, costruzione SEAT" alluding to its origin.

The second half of the 1970s, however, presented a marked change in the cycle, with a drop in sales already evident in 1974 due to the oil crisis. In this context, before the announcement of the American multinational General Motors of its intention to take over the assets of Authi, following in the wake of Ford (which had obtained authorization to manufacture the Ford Fiesta from 1976 under very advantageous conditions), the purchase of the Lanbaden Plant is closed.

In this way, SEAT's management agrees with Fiat and the Spanish government to maintain the activity and jobs of the defunct Authi, closing the Spanish market to new players in exchange for facilitating the integration of SEAT in the Fiat group, allowing its majority participation in the shareholding.

The preliminary integration agreement

With the arrival of democracy in Spain, the INI, heir to the old national companies, decides to sell or close the loss-making public companies - among which SEAT had become in a few years - in a process that was called "industrial restructuring", whose mission was to adapt the industry created in the development of the 60s to a free market industry that competed directly with the rest of Europe.

In this climate, negotiations began, not without tensions and political pressure, for Fiat to continue with the integration of the brand. The starting situation was beneficial for both companies based on growing interactions: since the end of the autarky, almost 30% of components of Italian origin had been reassembled and for its part SEAT produced bodies exclusively for Fiat — the & #34;Fiat Manufacturing SEAT" —. However, the economic situation of the country and of SEAT itself made the process difficult; the renewal of competition and the appearance of new players — in particular the successful Ford Fiesta — meant a significant drop in market share, already advocated by the Agnelli family before its opening. Together with this, the pricing policy in response to galloping inflation and the situation of the company, with 32,000 employees (counting the added excess capacity of Lanbaden) and losses of close to 20,000 million pesetas, made a reorganization was essential with a strong economic and social cost, which the Spanish State in full transition was not willing to assume alone.

On these bases, the "integration pre-agreement" was signed in April 1979, after which control of the company passed briefly into the hands of Italian executives and the next integration into the Fiat group is expected from June of the following year. Meanwhile, in the Italian multinational plunged by then in its own crisis and particularly in its unions and in the PCI, the idea begins to emerge that moving from the traditional policy of agreements to investing in the recapitalization of SEAT to produce outside of Italy and from the EEC, endangered jobs in Italy and the parent company itself. With the pressure received from Italy, the future integration into the Common Market not being clarified and the market opening up more and more (Nissan was already in talks with Motor Ibérica, and in April 1979 the installation of General Motors in Figueruelas was finally authorized). Fiat decides not to continue with the deadlines set by the pre-agreement, and announces that it is disassociating itself from the recapitalization by refusing to disburse the almost 3,000 million pesetas of the second capital increase, selling its shares to the INI at the symbolic price of 1 peseta, in what in Spain was called "el plante" of Fiat.

The collaboration agreement and the Fiat lawsuit

When SEAT was left without a technological partner, since the research and design division was in Fiat, and after the Spanish government threatened to take the Italian multinational before the International Court of Paris for breach of the preliminary agreement, the achievement of a new friendly agreement with Fiat that allows continuity for the Spanish brand and avoids the commercial war between the two brands marketing the same models; it is the so-called "collaboration agreement".

Through this agreement, in the economic part, Fiat withdraws from the shareholding and SEAT reduces the royalties to be paid for each vehicle manufactured under license. Regarding technical, industrial and commercial cooperation, the agreement confirms the previous contracts that will apply until 1986; For the Spanish market, SEAT could continue to market the SEAT 127, SEAT Panda, SEAT Ritmo and SEAT 131, as well as the development of future models based on these. At the same time, an independent brand image began to be created with the new logo with a technological-looking design from the American consulting firm Landor Associates, which sought to convey modernity and dynamism by vaguely evoking piston rings; consisting of a letter "S" With central lines that also give the impression of representing the footprint of a tire, crossing the logo, it was released in the entire range from 1982.

For the foreign market, Fiat undertakes to continue exporting the Fiats manufactured by SEAT — basically the Fiat 127 5-door and 131 Familiar — until 1985 (some 100,000 cars in 1981 and 1982 and 60,000 in the three subsequent years), while that from 1983 SEAT will be able to export in parallel "its own products developed on the Fiat basis" in its own commercial network; This nuance is important, because Fiat only admits the sale by SEAT of its own products that are differentiated from the original Fiat ones. Specifically, point 5.1 of the agreement, long gestated in different drafts, states that "in the event that SEAT proceeds to restyling the Ritmo, 127 and 131 models by restyling their bodywork, using the mechanical groups of the current models object of the Fiat Auto license, the aforementioned restyling will refer not only to elements of internal and external finishing, but also to significant elements of external paneling".

Thus, Fiat sued SEAT before the appearance of the photographs of the advertising catalog of the SEAT Ronda. The lawsuit centered on whether the changes were "significant" or "not significant" as it did not sufficiently affect the paneling, where the changes were minimal, and Fiat estimated that the origin of the car was recognizable laterally.

Finally, the Plenary of the International Court of Arbitration dismissed Fiat's arguments, allowing the commercialization of the Ronda throughout the world. The final argument was a dark Ronda with all the new parts painted yellow, to convince the court that those changes were indeed significant elements.

New partners

At the same time, SEAT's management was looking for technological partners, basically in the Volkswagen Group and in Japanese brands, eager to establish themselves in Europe, among others. Negotiations were established with Nissan and Mitsubishi, which did not allay misgivings about the future independence of the Spanish brand, considering the assembly of vehicles for other brands in segments that would not steal sales as a breath of fresh air. The negotiation with Toyota even reached the point that the motoring press announced in 1981 that negotiations were being finalized for the initial assembly of 10,000 Toyota Corona and Toyota Cressida as competitors for the Renault 18 and Peugeot 505 respectively.

Finally it would be Volkswagen, which had publicly expressed its interest in the purchase and with which some technology transfer agreements had been previously closed in 1982. This first long-term industrial and commercial cooperation agreement (which was initially for seven years and extendable for another three years, between both brands) contemplates financial independence, without either party acquiring capital from the other. The effects of this agreement for SEAT were that it would have to manufacture a total of 120,000 Volkswagen model vehicles a year, starting at the end of 1983 at a rate of 30,000 Passat/Santana units a year, and in the middle of 1984 begin to launch market 90,000 vehicles per year of the Polo/Derby models.

In 1983, Volkswagen would take control of 49% of the shares of SEAT, with the Spanish State reserving control of the remaining 51%. A short time later, production of the Volkswagen Santana and Volkswagen Passat began at the Zona Franca factory (as CKD) and the Volkswagen Polo at the Landaben (Pamplona) factory, where the Authi and later the SEAT 124 and Lancia Beta Coupe and HPE and SEAT Panda, thus solving the problem of excess production capacity. In the risky purchase of Landaben, they had invested in the most modern and best performing technologies, which could have motivated the Volkswagen's decision to make an auto sale of the Pamplona factory, which was no longer owned by SEAT to be formally owned by the parent company Volkswagen AG.

SEAT, for its part, kept the Zona Franca plant, reaching an advantageous agreement for both parties as regards the use of SEAT's commercial network.

Finally, in 1986, the State began to get rid of its shareholding passing to Volkswagen A.G, first equalizing the shares to 51% to go to 75% at the end of that year, becoming the majority shareholder and that It gave him the commitment, among other things, to promote the new factory that was being built for the SEAT brand; the plant would be located in Martorell, scheduled to be finished for its inauguration 7 years later, in 1993[1].

The solution taken by the government of Felipe González that led to the sale was the injection of 180,000 million pesetas into SEAT's cash register, to later sell a first shareholding package to Volkswagen for 40,000 million pesetas.

Some sources pointed out that when SEAT was sold to Volkswagen, Fiat disagreed, pointing out that in those conditions they would also have stayed with SEAT. Subsequently, the truck brand Pegaso and its truck factories were sold to the heavy vehicle branch of the Fiat group, Iveco, which, unlike its privately owned competitor Barreiros (profitable), always worked at a loss.

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  First SEAT Ibiza.

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  SEAT Toledo 1L, the first SEAT model to be developed in cooperation with the Volkswagen Group.

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  SEAT Leon of the 1st generation. It would be based on SEAT Toledo 1M, but in short version (Compacto).

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  With the SEAT Alhambra, the brand would be mixed in the segment of the 7-sea monovolumes.

Of the haste with which the agreement was reached with Volkswagen, the fact that the SEATs called "transitional" (SEAT Málaga and SEAT Ibiza) never shared mechanics with their Volkswagen cousins, assuming the high expense of developing new mechanics (System Porsche engines); SEAT management believed in the possibility of preserving the independence of the brand, contracting Porsche to develop its own engines, in the process of which they came to the conclusion that the element that set the minimum cost was to maintain the distance between the cylinders of the block engine from the Fiat 124, to take advantage of the existing mechanization machinery instead of using or adapting VAG origin engines, since the agreement with Volkswagen was after the start of their development. These engines had good performance, and were endorsed by Porsche, their designer, by authorizing the use of the expression "System Porsche" (which the Russian Lada, whose engines were also of Porsche design, was not allowed). The engine of the Ibiza 1200, with German unleaded gasoline, experienced detonation phenomena.

Precisely these vehicles, despite their Fiat origin, marked the beginning of SEAT exports under the Volkswagen Group, since their changes with respect to the original models were considered "significant".

Apart from the System Porsche engines, in the 1980s, SEAT had a project developed with Porsche, called Project 984 where 2 models would come out; one for Porsche and one for SEAT, but due to the high costs it could not be.

Already under German control, SEAT made a profit in 1988; For its part, Volkswagen in 1990 took over 99.99% of the shares of SEAT, however when the large and modern Martorell plant was inaugurated in 1993, the crisis affected the company again, and the new factory was it had been big. According to some analysts, one of the causes of the 1993 crisis is the fall of the ERM and the subsequent devaluation of the Spanish peseta; As a result, the cost of the new plant (designed and equipped by VW with a large participation of German companies) suddenly rose by more than 30%, putting SEAT in a difficult situation. However, it would soon recover thanks to new models such as the first generation of the SEAT Toledo, which in May 1993 was the sales leader in Spain, or the second generation of the Ibiza, the brand's iconic model that, together with its variants like SEAT Córdoba and SEAT Inca, they were a complete success. On September 26, 1995, the SEAT 10,000,000 came off the line, which is a unit of the first generation of the Toledo in the Marina finish in maroon color.

A few years later, it would begin its expansion into markets where it did not operate, as well as reinforcement in those where it did operate, already under the control of Volkswagen. To date, SEAT is a fresh proposal as far as motor vehicles are concerned, since many of them have achieved a unique sportiness, offering the most exclusive models within their range, such as the FR (Formula Racing) as the beginning of its sports range and followed by the Cupra (Cup - Racing) finishes at the top of its range.

In 2009, all models come to have a variant called Ecomotive, with which SEAT tries to create more environmentally friendly engines, reducing the level of CO2 emissions; Later on, the TGI hybrid engines of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) would appear.

On January 31, 2018, SEAT officially announced that the CUPRA models would become the new brand of SEAT S.A., giving more exclusivity to the models which will have their own logo, already presented the same day the news was announced. The Cupra range is presented on February 22, 2018. Currently, CUPRA has established itself as one more brand within SEAT.SA, and has a total of 5 models: the CUPRA León, the CUPRA Ateca, the CUPRA Formentor, and the CUPRA Born, the first e100& electric company.

SEAT beyond automobiles

The brand has a line of accessories and merchandising with a wide variety of products. It is worth noting as a two-wheeled vehicle the line of SEAT bicycles, which from 2003 became known as SEAT CUPRA Bicycles, which had different versions that were updated over the years. In In 2018, the Fabike CUPRA model was presented, designed by a well-known Italian manufacturer of handmade urban bicycles. Also in 2018, SEAT incorporated the electric scooter called eXS KickScooter as a two-wheeled vehicle, which it presented at the Smart City Expo World Congress.

In 2019, SEAT presented an urban quadricycle, the SEAT Minimó Concept with electrical mechanics. Within the framework of the IX edition of the Smart City Expo World Congress that same year, SEAT announced the creation of SEAT Urban Mobility, which will be in charge of develop urban mobility solutions, it also presented a new 100% electric scooter called the e-Kickscooter concept and an electric motorcycle, the e-Scooter concept.

In 2020 SEAT decided to call this business unit SEAT MÓ, which became the company's new urban mobility brand. Through it, SEAT promotes the urban mobility strategy focused on mobility products and services. It also began to market the new SEAT MÓ eKickscooter 65, eKickscooter 25 and the eScooter 125 scooter, the latter only offered in three colors to choose from (red, white or dark gray aluminum). SEAT MÓ presented its motosharing or hourly motorcycle rental service in August 2020, with the deployment of more than 600 100% electric eScooters in Barcelona. It also offered an all-inclusive motorcycle and scooter subscription service with no permanence commitment. In November 2022, SEAT presents a new variant of its electric motorcycle called this edition as SEAT MÓ 125 Performance, it is offered in only two colors to choose from, blue or grey.

• 

  SEAT e-Scooter Concept.

Brands of SEAT S.A.

At first, SEAT created a group of subsidiary companies (SEAT Group) that provided a service to the brand itself, such as FISEAT (the financial company), LISEAT, Seguri-SEAT, Servi-SEAT and SEAT Sport, being SEAT S.A. the parent company, which had to take this step in the 1980s.

SEAT S.A. It calls itself an automobile company with two strong brands: SEAT and CUPRA, the latter aspiring to fill the gap between SEAT and the more classic high-end brands and adopting a sportier profile. The company's objective is for both brands to maintain their independent path and their own place in the Spanish automobile market and also internationally.

At the end of 2020, SEAT S.A. produces a total of 13 models between both brands. By SEAT, it has the Ibiza, the León, the León Sportstourer, the Arona, the Ateca, the Alhambra and the Tarraco, while CUPRA adds the CUPRA Ateca, the CUPRA León, the CUPRA León Sportstourer and the CUPRA Formentor, the brand's first own model. Production of the CUPRA Born will start in 2021, CUPRA's first 100% electric.

Within CUPRA there is a secondary brand, CUPRA Racing, formerly called SEAT Sport appeared in the 70s, initially known as SEAT Competición, where he participated with single-seaters known as the SEAT Formula 1430. With his street models prepared for competition, he began to stand out in automobile races, where they have been able to reap a good part of victories and championships, since SEAT competes in the WTCC. SEAT Sport became the sports competition division of the SEAT brand. In addition, SEAT Sport was in charge of developing the sports versions of the models on the market. As of 2018, the SEAT Sport division was renamed CUPRA Racing, both in competition (working on the replacement of the SEAT León Cup Racer by the CUPRA León TCR, thus integrating the models under the CUPRA brand). Likewise, the sportier models began to be marketed under the CUPRA brand and logo, as well as the CUPRA models themselves, such as the Formentor.

Since 2018, CUPRA Racing has two models: the CUPRA León Competición, which participates in the TCR touring car championships and in various events of the Spanish Endurance Championship; and the CUPRA e-Racer, the world's first 100% electric competition car that will participate in the future PURE ETCR electric touring car championship, which will begin in 2021. Up to now, the CUPRA León Competición has had great successes, among which stands out the 2018 TCR European Touring Car Series championship, with Mikel Azcona, from PCR Sport, at the wheel.

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  SEAT 600 competition.

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  SEAT 124 competition.

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  SEAT Ibiza competition.

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  SEAT Competition Lion.

Nomenclature

In his time with Fiat

From its first model in 1953 until 1966, the name referred to displacement. Thus we have the SEAT 1400, SEAT 600, SEAT 1500, SEAT 800 and SEAT 850.

From 1968 to 1976, the name referred to the development number of the project at Fiat. Thus we have the SEAT 124, SEAT 127, SEAT 132, SEAT 133, SEAT 131 and SEAT 128.

In 1979 and until the separation with Fiat in 1981, a model with a name and not a number appeared for the first time; the SEAT Ritmo.

During this stage with Fiat, some vehicles derived from others from the Italian brand or from the Spanish brand itself also appeared, which had their own identity, clearly defined with more or less aesthetic differentiation from the model that emerged. Thus we have the SEAT 1430, SEAT 124 Sport, SEAT 850 4 doors, SEAT 1200 Sport (Bocanegra) or SEAT Fura.

After the stage with Fiat

SEAT often names its models after cities or places in Spain; This is intended to give an image of a Spanish brand. Thus we have the SEAT Ronda, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Málaga. SEAT Marbella, SEAT Terra, SEAT Toledo, SEAT Córdoba, SEAT Alhambra, SEAT Inca, SEAT León, SEAT Arosa or SEAT Altea. To avoid possible future copyright problems, the company has registered the names of all cities in Spain. The CUPRA brand also uses this nomenclature, for example, CUPRA Formentor.

With the launch of the SEAT Exeo model in 2009, an exception was made and, for the first time since 1982, SEAT did not use this criterion to name one of its models, a circumstance that was repeated with the SEAT Mii model in 2011.

SEAT once again bet on this nomenclature by recovering, after 3 years of absence (2009 - 2012), its new model from Toledo in 2012 and the continuation with the same name in the third generation of the León (2013) and the fifth generation of the Ibiza (2017), and the SEAT Ateca, SEAT Arona and SEAT Tarraco, given that the brand has decided to respect the tradition since 1982 of using denominations related to Spanish geography as a seal of identity.

For Concept models and prototypes (with a few exceptions), the nomenclature has changed over the years. From the late 80s to the early 90s, the name Proto + some letter (Proto C, Proto TL, etc... ) was used. that mentioned types of dances (Bolero, Salsa or Tango).As of 2009, the denomination IB + a letter is used (IBL, IBX, IBE, etc...) .

Slogan

As usual with brands, SEAT has had an endless number of slogans throughout its history, which have changed and evolved:

• SEAT, National Rodage (1959).
• SEAT, Bearing (1968).
• SEAT, Technique and line for each requirement (1977).
• SEAT, take care of your car, take care of you (1982).
• SEAT Network, the strongest guarantee (1984).
• SEAT, Volkswagen Group (1989).
• SEAT, The ambition to be overcome (1991). Below was accompanied by the Olympic logo and the phrase: "Official Car Barcelona 92".
• SEAT, Yes! (1993).
• SEAT, Autoemotion (2000).
• SEAT, Enjoyneering (2012).
• SEAT, Technology to enjoy (2014).

Infrastructure

The SEAT Group has more than 14,500 workers and has three production centers: Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the Ibiza, the León and the Arona. In addition, the company produces the Ateca and Toledo in the Czech Republic, the Alhambra in Portugal, and the Tarraco in Germany. SEAT today has large infrastructures, divided into different facilities and departments:

• Martorell Factory: SEAT today has a production plant in Martorell, an industrial city of about 30,000 inhabitants located in the province of Barcelona with an area of more than 2,800.000 square meters. The Martorell factory is one of the most modern in Europe, and was inaugurated by King Juan Carlos I in 1993. In 2020, the plant produced more than 350,000 vehicles. This factory replaces the assembly that was performed in the old installations factory of the Zona Franca in Barcelona, where the brand started its assembly in 1953, although these installations are currently still used by SEAT; in particular the works of sheet (Puertas y Capós) are performed, in addition to being connected with the Martorell factory by means of a train that transports materials from one factory to another. It is the plant that produces more cars in Spain and one of the largest in Europe. It is immersed in the development of Industry 4.0 to promote intelligent, digitalized and connected production. In this sense, the company already incorporates some of the technologies that will be common within a few years in the production processes, such as virtual reality, collaborative robots, 3D printing or the increased reality, among others. The models Leon 5P, Leon Sportstourer, SEAT León PHEV, CUPRA Leon, CUPRA Leon Sportstourer, Ibiza, Arona, CUPRA Formentor and Audi A1.
• SEAT Barcelona: is the SEAT factory located in the Barcelona Franca Zone. It began its activity in 1953 with the production of the first models of the brand such as SEAT 1400 or 600. In 1993, the manufacture of cars began its transfer to the Martorell plant and, since then, the Barcelona factory produces stamping pieces such as doors, ceilings, mudguards and larguers. In these installations 80% of the pieces are manufactured for the MQB A0, the modular compact platform of the Volkswagen Group on which the Ibiza and the Arona are based, in addition to the vast majority of stamping parts of the rest of the models of the SEAT range. The plant is an industrial technological reference, since it has elements such as the virtual simulation of the PXL press, the 3D printing in the maintenance workshop, the automatic change of welding tips of the robots in the press workshop and the automation of logistic flows through autonomously guided vehicles. In 2020 it has 1,079 employees.

Also in the old Free Trade Zone, one of the warehouses is known as the SEAT Museum, where SEAT keeps and restores its historic vehicles, concept cars and prototypes, including discarded ones, as well as its competition models; it is officially called ship A-122.

On the other hand, in 1976 production of the 124 began in the Landaben (Navarra) factory, which it had to acquire at the behest of the State in the face of the Authi crisis. This factory is run by VW, producing models like the Polo, although it is independent of the SEAT Group.

• 

  SEAT Factoria in Martorell, Barcelona.

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  SEAT Factoria in Zona Franca, Barcelona.

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  One train Cargometer transporting material between Martorell and Zona Franca (Barcelona).

• Technical centre: The multinational has a technical center that is configured as a hub of knowledge. It welcomes 1,294 people, most of whom are entitled media and superiors from different nationalities, who use the most advanced technologies, aimed at the innovation of the first industrial investor in R & D in Spain. SEAT already offers the latest connectivity technology in its vehicle range, and is immersed in a company's global digitalization process along with the electrification of the range to boost mobility of the future.

• Development Prototypes Centre: Opened on 16 July 2007, in Martorell this department occupies an area of 18,808 square meters, and has a staff of 250 employees, engineers and specialized technicians. It is the only development center for prototypes of the automotive sector in Spain. In 2020 the company built a new building of 3000 m2 with the aim of unifying all processes prior to the manufacture of a future vehicle. This new space includes virtual reality facilities and an area dedicated to 3D printing for the design of preseries prototypes and models.

• SEAT Design Center: Inaugurated in 2007, it is where the company designs its own car models, although following the general guidelines of the Volkswagen Group. For the purpose of the definition and positioning strategy each of the models, this department has an area of 5,600 meters and a staff of 100 employees.

• Original Exchange Centre: Located next to the Martorell factory, with an installation of 75,000 square meters that distributes spare parts to SEAT dealerships, and other group companies VAG (Volkswagen, Audi and Škoda) in Spain and also SEAT importers worldwide. The operating staff of the warehouse is 205 employees.

• SEAT Components ( previous Prat Gearbox): the facilities located in El Prat de Llobregat very close to Barcelona Airport, occupy an extension of 155 000 square meters, of which 85 765 correspond to workshops. This company is 100% owned by SEAT and integrated into the Volkswagen Group, manufactures exchange boxes (3500 units per day) for SEAT, Volkswagen, Audi and Škoda. In 2020 it has more than 1,000 employees and manufactures two exchange box models: MQ200 and the new MQ281. Its maximum capacity is, together, 800,000 boxes of changes per year.

• SEAT Service: these facilities have a building next to the south access of the Martorell factory, and which gathers in a block of 8000 m2 after-sales activities of the brand, the SEAT Technical Training Centre and a Catalunya Motor dealership who works preferably for SEAT employees and their families, in addition to attending to the different fleets of vehicles that the company manages.

• CUPRA Racing (before) SEAT Sport): This department has 16 000 square meters facilities next to the factory and the SEAT Technical Center in Martorell, and is responsible for the installation of various packages or sports finishes to the SEAT range, in addition to the preparation of various models of competition, such as the CUPRA León Competition or the CUPRA e-Racer.
• Test Center Energy (TCE): is the new SEAT battery lab located in Martorell. It is intended to be the centre for the development and testing of various energy systems for electric and hybrid vehicles. The works, which began in 2020 with an investment of 7 million euros, are expected to be completed in 2021.
• House SEAT: is a multidisciplinary space located on the Paseo de Gracia in Barcelona. The company uses it with the aim of integrating into the cultural and economic life of the city. It has a wide schedule of activities, talks, concerts and workshops. It is also designed for the company to show and publicize its news. In addition, it will be a reference space for urban mobility and where to show projects inspired by the urban culture of Barcelona.

• SEAT: CODECenter of Digital Excellence): inaugurated in 2019, is the software development center. Since its creation, it leads the digital transformation of the company and creates digital solutions to boost SEAT, CUPRA and SEAT MÓ. In July 2020 he inaugurated his headquarters in Rambla 124, in the heart of Barcelona.

• SEAT Dealers: The SEAT network has multiple dealerships, which in addition to being selling points to market SEAT and Cupra models, some of them also offer selling points of occasional vehicles or KM 0 under the company Das WeltAuto belonging to the Volkswagen group. On the other hand, many SEAT dealers also have authorized services offering maintenance, spare parts, accessories and repair in their workshops for their models. Also outside Spain, SEAT has sales organizations and own dealerships up to 70 countries: Germany, France, Mexico, Venezuela, etc.

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  SEAT Pavilion at Autostadt, Wolfsburg.

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  Volkswagen Group Distribution Center in Germany, with SEAT at the end.

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  Evolution of the logo from its beginnings to its current emblem, launched at the end of 2012.

SEAT vehicle factories

Location	City	Products (News)	Notes	Employees
Spain	Martorell	Ensamblaje de los modelo de SEAT Leon 5P, Leon Sportstourer, SEAT León PHEV, CUPRA Leon Sportstourer, Ibiza, Arona, CUPRA Formentor. Other models of the VW Audi Q3 group (until 2018) and Audi A1 (since 2018)	SEAT Headquarters	11.070
Spain	Barcelona (Zona Franca)	Printed body parts		1.179
Spain	The Prat	Change boxes for SEAT and the rest of the group.	Former Prat Gearbox	1,079
Portugal	Palmela	SEAT Alhambra	Factory owned by Volkswagen	3.015
Slovakia	Bratislava	SEAT Mii electric	Factory owned by Volkswagen	8.257
Czech Republic	Kvasiny	SEAT Ateca	Factory owned by Škoda	4,500
Czech Republic	Mladá Boleslav	SEAT Toledo IV	Factory owned by Škoda	24.936
Germany	Wolfsburg	SEAT Tarraco	Factory owned by Volkswagen
Algeria	Southwest of Algiers	Production reinforcement for Africa and exports SEAT Ibiza V, SEAT León III and SEAT Arona, together with other models of the VW Group	Factory owned by Volkswagen and Sovac S.P.A

Sales

SEAT Leadership

• 

  José Ortiz-Echagüe Puertas, the first president of SEAT until 1967. He was subsequently appointed in 1976 Honorary president for life.

As a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, all SEAT presidents are appointed after the approval of the group's board of directors:

Marketing

Along with its advertising campaigns on television and in the press, SEAT sponsors sporting events. Since 2010 it has been present on social networks with the SEAT Spain Channel on YouTube, the official SEAT Spain page on Facebook, and the official SEAT profile on Twitter.

Sponsorship

• World Federation 1982
• SeAT Orbea Cycling Team 1986.
• Olympiads Barcelona 1992:

- SEAT, official car of the Barcelona 92 Olympics: it was the slogan used to sponsor the Olympic Games. SEAT collaborated with the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, making more than 2,000 vehicles available to the COOB'92, all of them decorated in white for the Olympic event. The vast majority of the units were SEAT Toledo, since it was the model chosen as the official car for the games. and who made up the transport fleet of the Olympic family. A selection was made among five thousand drivers, in whose registration the RACC also participated. As the volunteer drivers were the true hosts and ambassadors (accompanying groups and people from all over the world), once the selection was finished, they were specifically trained to achieve a high level of quality of the service provided. During the celebration of the IV Open SEAT, among other personalities, Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the IOC, attended and during his visit, received from SEAT's commercial vice president, Juan José Díaz Ruiz, a ceramic reproduction of the SEAT Toledo Olímpico, and a medal engraved with the silhouette of the Toledo, the official vehicle of the Barcelona 92 Olympic Games, a vehicle that transported the entire Olympic family. In the Expomóvil 92 event, which brought together 630 exhibitors from 25 countries, the SEAT after-sales stand stood out, where an Olympic Toledo was exhibited. The post-sales manager, at that time, presented, among other novelties, the super guarantee and the ELSA System, which computerized customer service. Lindford Christie and Colin Jackson had the opportunity, as part of SEAT U.K.'s sponsorship of the Great Britain Olympic team, to drive a SEAT Toledo. Also at the Olympics, an Electric SEAT Toledo (prototype developed by the brand, and presented worldwide at the Olympic Games) was in charge of accompanying the Olympic torch.

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  Official Logo of the Barcelona 92 Olympic Games.

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  Special series that SEAT launched for sale during the Olympic Games; the SEAT Ibiza Olympic '92.

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  As a promotion and innovation by SEAT, the Toledo Electrical prototype was launched as a torch car at the Olympic Games.

Being Olympic Gold, at the Barcelona Olympic Games, is the result of many years of work. SEAT wanted to reward this effort, with an exclusive model to which only the winners were entitled. The SEAT Toledo Podium: "Only for Spanish champions", the car was equipped with the 115 CV 2.0i 8v engine, with a unique paint job (bicolor grey), and the lower part in a lighter tone than the upper one. It was fully equipped, with a distinctive Podium plaque, with a very exclusive interior with beige leather upholstery, with both front and rear armrests and the lower part of the dashboard and some more detail in beige with wood inserts on the steering wheel and wooden knob, telephone incorporated in the front armrest. It also brings a rear addition in the lower part of the rear bumper, being similar to the GT finish, but oriented towards comfort and elegance. The runner Fermín Cacho, gold medalist in the 1500 meter dash, won a SEAT Toledo Podium, from this limited series of 20 copies with his own license plate.

SEAT also released special models for the Barcelona Olympics, which were marketed as the Olympic SEAT Ibiza or the 1992 SEAT Toledo Sport (a special sports edition of the Toledo that came out in March 1992 and was around for just over a year for sale, it came out with the slogan "Toledo Sport, sporty SEAT."It only came out in 3 body colors to choose from: red, white and black, and it differed from the other Toledos in that the bumpers were equipped with a molding wider black that served for better protection, as well as giving it a different touch, along with the letters of "Sport" that it has on the doors and on the tailgate, fog lights and spoiler.The engines were the 1.8 l with 98 CV and the 2.0 l with 115 CV At the Barcelona Olympics, the Prince of Asturias drove a red Toledo Sport unit.

• Open Conde Godo de Tenis since 1995.
• Copa del Rey, since 2010
• UEFA Europa League.
• Red Bull Air Race World Series.
• Guapa Tour SEAT La Oreja de Van Gogh (2006).
• European Tour "Oral Fixation Tour" by ShakiraCatch the Fever(2007).
• Masters of Paris 2009.
• Rock in Rio Madrid (2010).
• Primavera Sound 2017
• Festa al Cel 2010.
• Black Eyed Peas in Barcelona (2010).
• Open 500 from Valencia (2010).
• Shakira's European Tour "Sale the Sun"Good Stuff) (2010/2011).
• CSIO Barcelona 2011.
• Munster Rugby, Ireland.
• Rugby Junior Cup, Ireland.
• Shamrock Rovers FC, Ireland (2012).
• Sensation White, in Russia (2012).
• It has sponsored the following Spanish football teams (2012 - present): Sevilla FC, Real Betis, Athletic Club, Valencia CF, Real Zaragoza, Villarreal. In the German Bundesliga, since 2013/2014 Eintracht Braunschweig team.
• 45th trophy of the S.A.R Princess Sofia, in Mallorca (2014).

• IV International Compliance Congress (2019)
• Primavera Sound 2019
• Sónar 2019
• Copa del Rey 2019
• Sponsor and official vehicle of the Spanish National Team
• Official sponsor of the 23rd edition of the international fashion platform 080 Barcelona Fashion in 2019

Disputes

To reduce costs related to the manufacture and importation of the models, it was rumored that since 2010 the second generation Córdoba would be manufactured at the Volkswagen de México plant (located in the state of Puebla), however, this never came to materialize. This turned out to be uncertain, since the end of production and sale of the SEAT Córdoba was decided in 2009.

In 2015 it was affected by the scandal of its German parent company Volkswagen AG Group, due to the Dieselgate case; consisting of the falsification of emissions into the atmosphere of NOx and Co2 by means of an electronic device created for this purpose for its Diesel TDI propellants, of any displacement in all the brands and models of the group that apply them. Emissions fraud was first investigated in the United States and subsequently in Europe. The affectation is worldwide, the company assembled 700,000 modified engines, which represents 6.3% of the total affected vehicles.

SEAT received criticism for lack of presence of the Catalan language on the web, multimedia services and for legal breaches in Catalonia by not having instruction manuals in Catalan as stipulated by Law 22/2010, of July 20, of the Consumer Code of Catalonia. Currently, the company offers all its manuals in the co-official languages of the country.

SEAT Timeline

1950s

• 

  SEAT Logo from 1953 to 1962.

• 1950: The Spanish Society of Cars of Tourism, S.A., with a capital of 600 million pesetas, in which the National Institute of Industry (INI) participates with 51 % and six banks with 42 %. Fiat provides the remaining 7 % and its manufacturing license. The works of the factory begin in the Franca Zone of Barcelona.

• 1951: Machinery is installed as well as the first line of assembly, welding, painting, etc. on a surface of 20 hectares of the Franca Zone. SEAT promotes the barely existing auxiliary industry to limit imports.

• 1953: On June 5, manufacturing begins. On November 13, the first SEAT car comes out of the assembly chains: 1400, B-87.223 plate, with a daily production of 5 cars and a staff of 925 people.

• 1954: SEAT achieves that its manufacture is Spanish in 93%, with a production of 2500 cars and a staff of 1700 people. A new version of 1400, 1400-A, is presented.

• 1955: The factory is officially inaugurated, with a surface of almost 200 000 m2. Production exceeds 7000 cars. The second version of 1400A appears.

• 1956: 1000 more workers are hired and new fabrile sections are launched. The objective is to produce 10,000 cars/year, with an average of 42 units/day. The first units of the new 1400-B leave the factory.

• 1957: In April 1957 the manufacture of 600 begins and with it begins in Spain the stage of the massive motorization with a staff of 5000 people.

• 1958: The 600 multiplies its production by six.

• 1959: The first Collective Agreement of the Company is signed.

1960s

• 

  SEAT Logo from 1968 to 1975.

• 1960: More than 30 000 cars are manufactured annually, reaching the figure of 100,000 units in accumulated production. The SEAT 1400-C is launched on the market.

• 1961: Production of 36,000 cars/year.

• 1962: Installation of machinery for the manufacture of 1500.

• 1963: The production rises to 47,000 cars/year. Presentation of the new SEAT 1500, 600-D, and 800.

• 1964: The headquarters is opened in Madrid, Spain. The total template is nearly 10,000 people and the daily production of 300 cars. The company begins to be among the major European auto factories.

• 1965: SEAT makes its first export (symbolic, due to the high demand of the domestic market): Colombia becomes the first country to receive, by air, the SEAT models. The 1500 Familiar is launched. Annual production exceeds 100,000 units.

• 1966: SEAT 500,000 comes out of the factory. The 850 model is presented.

• 1967: The production of 850 reaches 400 cars/day, carrying the template in 14,500 people. Nace FISEAT to finance the brand's long-term sales of cars.

• 1968: In May the 124 model is launched, with a production capacity of 200,000 cars/year. A woman won 1 million pesetas in the contest One million for the best and SEAT named her godmother of SEAT 124 at the International Motor Show. The Minister of Industry delivered the woman from one of these cars.

• 1969: The template increases to more than 20 000 people. Exports are started in volumes of some relevance, which reach, this year, 3500 cars. Launch of 1500 version 69, 1430 and 124 Five Doors. On July 14 the SEAT 1,000.000 comes out of the factory: a 124 "Lujo" yellow. The brand drew this car between all the employees of the company, corresponding to an employee in section 190, and gave its employees a commemorative medal with the model's date of manufacture.

70s

• 1970: The 124 Sport Coupe 1600 is presented. Exports are multiplied by ten.

• 1971: SEAT is the head of the ranking of the Spanish industry. Exports exceed 55,000 cars. Born the Formula 1430For competition monopoles.

• 1972: In April the 127 is launched, of which 50,000 units will be sold in the first six months. First temporary facilities of the future Technical Centre.

• 1973: On August 3, the manufacture of the 600 was completed, with a cumulative production of almost 800,000 units being achieved. This same year the 132 and 1430 Special 1600 are launched. Exports exceed 78,000 units, the most developed European countries being their main recipients. The construction works of the Technical Centre begin.

• 1974: SEAT is produced 2,000.000. The company's sales figure is close to the billions of dollars, so SEAT ranks eighth among European manufacturers. Despite the serious crisis in the car industry, SEAT continues its expansion plans, acquiring the facilities that Authi (British Leyland) had in Pamplona, and building an important manufacturing and warehouse complex in Martorell. It presents the 127 4 doors, exclusive version of SEAT. Manufacture of 133 begins. At the end of the year, 132 are presented restyling and 127 commercial. The production rises to 1900 cars/day, reaching a staff of 30 000 people.

• 

  SEAT Logo from 1975 to 1982.

• 1975: Throughout the year, SEAT has presented the new 131 and 133, the 124 version 5, and the 1200 Sport. The staff exceeds 33,000 people. The first phase of construction of the Technical Centre (16,000 m2).

• 1976: The first car of the Landaben assembly chains (Pamplona): a 124 D. In March, SEAT 3,000.000 is presented in the Geneva Hall: 127 out of 4 doors. At the beginning of April it was presented 131 out of 5 doors.

• 1977: SEAT brings out renewed versions of 127, both in finishes and in technical modifications. Despite the low growth of the economy in Europe, the international automotive industry has continued recovery. The SEAT network already has 1,130 sales and assistance points in Spain.

• 1978: SEAT produces the 127 with gasoline engine "Normal", low octane.

• 1979: SEAT is manufactured 4,000.000. The company begins a progressive approach to the Fiat Group structure.

1980s

• 1980: Unexpectedly, Fiat decides not to go to the capital expansion of SEAT -from an ambitious industrial restructuring plan -, breaking with a 30-year collaboration. SEAT worked 32,000 people and its business figure reached $1 billion.

• 1981: Fiat sells to the INI his participation in SEAT. With 95% of the INI powered capital, SEAT becomes the first fully Spanish car manufacturer. The company prepares a new strategy and begins to develop its own products (Ronda, Ibiza, Malaga and Marbella).

• 1982: Industrial and commercial cooperation agreements are signed with Volkswagen. SEAT will produce 120,000 units/year, of which 50,000 will be exported, and will market in Spain the cars produced or imported from the VW and Audi brands. A new corporate identity is adopted, according to its new dimension, structures and future plans.

• 

  SEAT Logo from 1982 to 1990.

• 1983: SEAT is produced 5,000.000. The production of the VW Passat is started at the Zona Franca factory. The Fura and Ronda models are launched. Exports reach 85,542 units at the end of the year.

• 1984: It comes from the assembly line of the factory of Zona Franca el Ibiza n.o 1, the first car of the new generation of SEAT entirely Spanish. The production of the VW Polo starts at the Pamplona factory. Exports grow by 76 per cent over the previous year.

• 1985: The Malaga is presented, the three volume version of the SEAT Ronda. The first VW Polo Classic and VW Santana produced by SEAT are released from the assembly chain. The production of the Polo reaches 100,000 units.

• 1986: SEAT is manufactured 6,000.000. In June, Volkswagen acquired 51% of SEAT stocks, becoming the third brand of the VW Group. At the end of the year, the German consortium increases its participation in SEAT to 75%. The 5-door version of Ibiza is presented. The Marbella is launched and the production of its commercial version, the Terra, with petrol engine begins. At the end of the year, SEAT S.A. has a staff of 22,197 employees. The sports society is founded SEAT Sport.

• 1987: New historical record of annual production: more than 400,000 units/year. Exports of the year reach almost 250,000 cars. The first VW Polo Coupés are produced in Pamplona. Malaga Injection is launched and the range of Ibiza is enriched with the SXI version (Injection). The template increases to 23,543 employees.

• 1988: Sale of the assembly chain the Ibiza 500.000. For the first time since 1977, SEAT has had positive results: 1,860 million pesetas. Annual production exceeds 430,000 units. The sales of the SEAT brand are 324,737 vehicles, highlighting the Ibiza model with 189,572 units sold. On June 27 SEAT becomes a partner and supplier of the Barcelona Olympic Games '92.

• 1989: Presentation of the "Proto T" in the Frankfurt Hall. The construction of the new Martorell factory, which will be one of the most modern in Europe, began. The versions with a catalyst of Ibiza are presented. Production reaches 474,149 units (historic society agreement). The daily production was 2162 cars / day — Barcelona 1591 units/day and Pamplona 571 —. The productivity per employee was 20 cars/year/worker (was 8.9 cars/year employed in 1981). Sales are above 500,000 units/year. The results of the SEAT Group reach 7,862 million pesetas, far exceeding those obtained in the previous year.

1990s

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  SEAT Logo from 1990 to 1999.

• 1990: In the Geneva Hall, held in March, SEAT presents the "Proto TL", an evolution of the "Proto T", and in the Paris Hall the "Proto C", the third futuristic prototype of SEAT. In October, an agreement was signed with the European Investment Bank (BEI), where SEAT was granted a loan of 1,500 million frames for the change of the time, mainly for the future Martorell factory and the launch of new models. The agreement provided that the provision would be disbursed in three sections, which were carried out in 1990, 1991 and 1993. On 13 November, SEAT 8 is manufactured. 000.000, which coincides with the celebration of the company's 37 years of production and has a historical record of the annual production of more than half a million units. VW acquires new SEAT shares until it reaches 99.9% of the capital. SEAT Sport' 'issues its new installations in a 6,000 square meters terrain and a built area of 1,500 square meters.

• 1991: SEAT launches the Ibiza New Style in February coinciding with that it leaves the Ibiza assembly chain a million. On May 4th, on the occasion of the Barcelona Motor Show, SEAT Toledo is presented worldwide and its marketing begins. In the Frankfurt Motor Show held in September, SEAT presents the Marbella Beach prototype and the Ibiza Sport Line 1.7 version, ready for commercialization. This year SEAT S.A. again beat its production record, reaching 552,210 units; exported 260,342 vehicles and made 60 billion pesetas. Of the total units produced, 360,510 corresponded to SEAT models, and 191,700 to Volkswagen models.

• 1992: Presentation Ibiza Olympic Series in February and Toledo Sport in March. The prototype is presented in the Geneva Hall SEAT Toledo Exclusive. At the XXV Olympic Games (July - August) the brand participated as a partner and as a sponsor of the Olympic Volunteers Program, Aid to the Olympic Sport (ADO’92) and tour of the torch. He presented his first development of electric car under the Toledo body in the Olympics. Delivered the limited series Toledo Pódium to the Spanish Olympic gold medalists (20 units). The 1992 Paris Motor Show presents the Concept T. The production of SEAT, S.A. in 1992 reached 578,432 units, increasing by 4.7% (26,222 units) the figure obtained in the previous year. Of these, 356,210 units corresponded to the SEAT brand and 222,222 to the VW Polo, produced in the Landaben factory (Pamplona). On the other hand, the number of vehicles invoiced by SEAT, S.A. reached 647,159 units, 5.1% more than in 1991. Of this figure, 354,521 units corresponded to the SEAT brand and 292,638 to the Volkswagen, Audi and Škoda brands of the Volkswagen consortium itself.

• 1993: On February 22, S.M. el Rey, Juan Carlos I inaugurated the new Martorell factory, with the presence of Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, president of the VW Group since 1 January this year. During the month of March, the new Ibiza was presented in the Barcelona Motor Show, with a daily production of 530 units. In the living room is also presented the Concept T Cabrio. In the Fráncfurt Hall is presented the Cordoba, which begins to market in Spain from November. The second development of electric car appears, this time under the body of the new Ibiza.

• 1994: SEAT sells the Pamplona factory and the FISEAT financial to VW. During the month of August the transfer of the line from Toledo to Martorell, whose process lasted five months. The Toledo 2.0 litres 16V and the Ibiza 1.8 liters 16V are presented. On 29 July, Catalan central and autonomic governments approved SEAT grants for R & D worth 38,000 million pesetas. The process of reconversion of Zona Franca begins with the creation of the ‘Business Units’ (Prensas, Fundición, Marbella and Derivados) and the Suppliers Park is inaugurated. The 14th Collective Agreement (94-96). The SEAT Ibiza is "Car of the Year" in Spain and Portugal.

• 1995: SEAT presents in the Geneva Hall the prototype of the Alhambra minivan, the new Inca van in the Barcelona Hall and the Cordoba SX in the Frankfurt Hall. In May, the vehicle 500,000 manufactured in Martorell was produced in Toledo TDi and the first units of Córdoba were sent to Brazil. Ibiza is "University Car of the Year". On 26 September, S.A.R. the Prince of Asturias leads out of the assembly line the car 10,000.000 manufactured in SEAT. The third electric development of SEAT appears under the Inca body. The Parque de Proveedores de Zona Franca closes the year with seven companies installed. On December 20, the agreement was signed with the Barcelona Franca Zone Consortium to take advantage of the land occupied so far by SEAT. At the end of the year the SEAT S.A. staff is 12,600 employees.

• 1996: World presentation of the Alhambra in the Geneva Hall. In April the Cordoba SX (2 doors) comes to the market. In July SEAT obtains the quality certification of all its activity according to ISO 9000 Standard. In November the car leaves the line a million manufactured in Martorell. Ibiza is chosen "University Car of the Year" for the second consecutive year. The Ibiza Cupra is launched in the Paris Hall. SEAT enters the Russian market. Ibiza is no.1 sales in Spain, with 50,933 units sold. It becomes champions of the world of Rallies FIA 2l, with the Ibiza Kit Car in the debut in this competition, and in main sponsor and official car of the Open Godó 96. The closing of the exercise has a profit of 539 million pesetas.

• 1997: The Toledo TDi of 110 CV is launched. The Arosa is presented in the Geneva Hall and in March the XV Collective Agreement is signed for three years (1997-1999) based on labour flexibility. In May it is presented in the Motor Show of Barcelona the Cordoba Vario. Ibiza is No. 1 in enrolments in Spain. The Ibiza Kit Car is proclaimed world champion of Rallies FIA 2L for the second consecutive year. In Frankfurt is presented the Alhambra TDi 110 CV and the Arosa SDi. In November the SEAT is manufactured 11 million and in December it leaves the assembly line the Ibiza 2 million. The exercise is closed with profits of 11,051 million pesetas, after achieving a historical record of sales, with 402,671 units. The emblematic SEAT 600 marks its 40th anniversary.

• 1998: On 7 April the production of Marbella ceased with more than 600,000 units manufactured. In May the first SEAT Arosa manufactured in Martorell came out of the assembly line after the transfer of the production from the Wolfsburg plant (Germany), being a unit of this model the car 2,000.000 that leaves that factory on November 18. The Bolero is presented in the Geneva Hall. The SEAT Córdoba WRC, which debuts in the world’s highest category at Rally Finland, is presented in the Porto Lounge. SEAT Sport maintains its hegemony in the 2-liter category, adding its third consecutive world title. Martorell is named "Best Factory of the VW Consortium in the first quarter". In October, the new SEAT Toledo is officially presented in the Paris Hall, which opens a new concept of style and image that will identify all models of the company. The final customer sales of SEAT models reached 431,549 units, 7.2% more than the previous year. SEAT achieved a new record in net revenue, 827.534 million pesetas, 6.9% more than in 1997. The profits amounted to 24,462 million pesetas, a new historical record. The company produced 500,500 vehicles (365,689 SEAT models and 134,811 Volkswagen). In the Martorell factory, the annual average daily production amounted to 2,147 units and reached a maximum of 2250 units/day, placing productivity in 60 cars/employed/day. The SEAT staff at 31 December was made up of 14,202 workers.

• 1999: In the month of March, in the framework of the Geneva Motor Show, SEAT presented its new corporate identity, where the blue gave way to red and silver, colors that transmit more vigorously the enthusiastic, young and sporting profile that characterizes the brand. In this same event, SEAT Toledo Cupra Concept and SEAT Formula debuted a spectacular concept-car with 240 hp of power and capable of reaching 235 km/h. Two months later, the new Ibiza and Córdoba models were presented in the Barcelona Hall, as well as the Córdoba WRC E2, technologically even more debugging than its predecessor. In the Frankfurt Motor Show saw the light of the new SEAT Leon, the first car in the history of the brand endowed with 180 CV, 6 speed change and total traction, with which SEAT entered the largest segment of the European market; that of compact vehicles. SEAT also became this year, thanks to the Arosa 3L, in the first brand of southern Europe to have a car whose consumption is less than 3l / 100 KM travels. As far as sales are concerned, SEAT obtained an absolute record for the third consecutive year. In total, more than 481,000 units were sold, an increase of 11.5 per cent over 1998. In the field of sports competition, highlights the brilliant performance of the WRC Cordoba in its premiere at the World Championship in Rallies. SEAT got two podiums in the rallies of New Zealand and Great Britain, as well as its first scratch in the Monte Carlo contest. In November, SEAT Sport signed the French champion Didier Auriol to drive the Córdoba WRC in the 2000 season.

2000s

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  SEAT Logo from 1999 to 2012.

• 2000: On February 29, the SEAT Salsa was presented in the Geneva Motor Show, a concept-car that inaugurates an innovative concept in the automotive sector, the MDC (Multi Driving Concept) that allows the driver to choose between three environments: Sport, Confort and City. According to the chosen one, it changes the internal configuration of the car. The Salsa, developed entirely at the Martorell Technical Center, is also characterized by a soft and attractive aesthetic line, six-cylinder V engine of 250 hp power, Tiptronic gearbox and total traction. In the month of April SEAT began the manufacture of Cordoba in the plant that the Volkswagen Group has in the town of Pacheco (Argentina). The planned initial production amounts to 10,000 units per year. The SEAT Sport rider, Didier Auriol, behind the wheel of Córdoba WRC E2 managed to climb the podium at the Kenya Rally, the third punctuable test of the Rallies World Championship. The brand collaborated with more companies in the solar vehicle project called Wake up..

• 2001: In the Bologna Motor Show, SEAT exhibits the new Ibiza, a new generation of the brand's most charismatic car. Presents SEAT Tango, a spider prototype inspired by the 50s and 60s sports cars, along with the prototype of the new high performance Lion CUPRA R developed by SEAT Sport.

• 2002: SEAT is integrated into the brand group of Audi, together with the Audi and Lamborghini itself, within the new organization of the Volkswagen Group. Dr. Andreas Schleef is appointed new president of SEAT. In addition, the new Cordoba is presented in the Motor Show in Paris.

• 2003: It is a year of changes and innovations by the SEAT Altea, a vehicle whose prototype is presented in the Frankfurt Hall and which is allocated 582 million euros in R & D and the adaptation of the production process. In Dr's words. Andreas Schleef, "The Altea inaugurates the new SEAT era."

• 2004: It is the year of the consolidation of the "new SEAT". With the global presentation of the new SEAT Altea at the Geneva International Hall, a new era officially begins for the brand. In March, it celebrates for the first time in the history of SEAT a day of open doors on the Martorell plant: more than 41,000 people visit the facilities, most of them employees and family members. In June, it presents a new and innovative generation of Toledo in the Paris International Hall, which confirms the change of trend initiated by SEAT. This year the twentieth anniversary of Ibiza is celebrated, with almost 3.3 million units produced. In addition, the range of Ibiza is extended with two new sports versions: in January, the FR and in June, the CUPRA: the most powerful diesel version of the whole range with 160 CV.

• 2005: The year 2005 is marked by the introduction of the new Lion presented in the Barcelona Motor Show, along with its version of competition the León WTCC. The new Lion is an immediate success both for the various awards it receives and for its excellent acceptance on the market. The Frankfurt Motor Show is witness to the global presentation of the Altea FR: the first vehicle of the new generation to adopt the successful FR concept. For its part, the 2-liter Altea prototype and 170 CV becomes the most powerful diesel in SEAT history. SEAT Sport culminates a brilliant season in the World Tourism Championship (WTCC). He gets his first WTCC trophy after a third position with the historic victory of the WTCC Lion, just two months from his participation in the Championship.

• 2006: Inaugurates the new corporate building, thus centralizing the entire activity in Martorell. Mr.Erich Schmitt is appointed new president of SEAT. In May, he presents the new León FR at the Madrid Motor Show. Two months later, in July, the London Motor Show is the stage chosen for the presentation of the Lion Cupra, the most powerful car of the brand to date. Finally, in September, it shows the Altea XL in the Paris Motor Show, the most familiar version of the range.

• 2007: In 2007 SEAT Service launches to ensure maintenance quality and standardize repairs globally. That same year SEAT sponsors "Oral Fixation", the European tour of Shakira, and presents the Lion CUPRA "Pies Descalzos" in the International Motor Show in Geneva, while making a donation to the foundation "Pies Descalzos", directed by the Colombian singer in her native country. It opens the Prototypes Development Centre (PCD), a specialized department that combines the virtual and physical stage of prototype development. Open the SEAT Design Center (SDC) at the Martorell plant: one of the most modern design functional centers in the world and starting point for the company's avant-garde vision of future. In September, it causes dip in the Frankfurt Motor Show when presenting the SEAT Tribu - an original concept car sport and practical - and one of the most ecological vehicles on the market, the first SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive. That same year also introduces the Altea Freetrack, the company's first 4x4 and combines an adventurous spirit with a touch Cool. very urban and elegant.

• 2008: In 2008, he launched the new SEAT Ibiza as the brand’s flagship car and introduced the Ibiza SC, the Ibiza CUPRA and the Ibiza Ecomotive. The new SEAT Ibiza gets the maximum of 5 stars in the Euroncap, becoming one of the safest vehicles on the market. The launch campaign is supported by the European tour of the three Jewel Transport trucks, which from April take the new SEAT Ibiza for 20 cities in Europe. It also presents the Exeo, the second SEAT tourism within the D segment, in the Paris Motor Show. SEAT Sport makes history, winning for the first time the category of builders in the World Tourism (WTCC) with a fleet of SEAT Leon TDI cars. The French pilot Yvan Mueller takes the title of riders in the last race of the season, held in China.

• 2009: Continuing with the search for new ways to create sustainable driving, in 2009 presents the Leon Twin Drive Ecomotive project, its first hybrid vehicle prototype that marks a new standard in ecological performance. The Geneva Motor Show, held during the month of March, serves as a backdrop for the presentation of Exeo ST and the prototype of the Leo Ecomotive. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of SEAT Ibiza, the brand displays the "25 Anniversary" version of this iconic model. The Ibiza Bocanegra, the new Leon Cupra and the Ibiza FR together with the final version of Exeo ST, are presented and acclaimed by the public during the Barcelona Motor Show. In June, the first stone of the body shop is placed for the new Audi Q3, a project that lays the foundation for future SEAT innovations. In September, the Frankfurt Motor Show serves as a showcase to present the IBZ, a concept car that anticipates the family version of Ibiza, along with the Ecomotive models of the Altea, Altea XL and León, examples of the vision of the future engine technology. In sports, SEAT is once again proclaimed champion of World Tourism (WTCC) in the drivers and builders categories, with Gabriele Tarquini at the wheel. On the other hand, SEAT is Sponsor of the UEFA Europa League.

2010s - Present

• 2010: SEAT celebrates its 60th anniversary, presenting SEAT IBE, with electric technology. Ecological engines called E-Ecomotive appear. The range is extended with the new Ibiza ST and the new generation of the SEAT Alhambra.

• 2011: In the Frankfurt Motor Show, SEAT showed the SEAT IBL, and a little restyling of the Exeo. The SEAT IBX was presented at the Geneva Motor Show, and the new Alhambra 4WD was accompanied by the new COPA range.

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  SEAT Logo 2012.

• 2012: The range is extended with the new SEAT Mii. The new SEAT slogan was presented at the Geneva Motor Show."Enjoyneering" (the meaning of this word translated into Spanish is "Technology to enjoy". Then the Spanish translation was put under Enjoyneering, which by marketing is decided to put it also in English). along with the restyling of Ibiza. The return of SEAT Toledo, with a new generation, was presented at the Paris Motor Show. Finally, the new SEAT León would arrive that would premiere the brand's new logo.

• 2013: In the Geneva Motor Show in March, the new Ibiza Cupra was introduced and the new Lion range was expanded with the newness of the SC; the first generation of the model to have a 3P variant. A family variant for the Lion appeared in the Frankfurt Motor Show; the ST. This year includes the finish I-Tech Altea, Altea XL, Ibiza and Leon. In Worthersee was shown the new Lion Cup Racer, the future brand competition car.

• 2014: In the Geneva Motor Show, in March, the new Lion Cupra was presented, with the option of a package called Performance Pack, the Lion ST 4Drive and the Mii by MANGO. In the Nürburgring circuit, the Lion Cupra beat the record of the front traction vehicles with a time of 7:58.4 minutes. The I-Tech finish was incorporated into Toledo, Mii and Alhambra, thus counting all SEAT vehicles with this version. The 30th anniversary of the Ibiza model was celebrated, with a new special version called 30th Anniversary, and presented the new SEAT Leo X-Perience.

• 2015: The 40th anniversary of the SEAT Technical Centre is celebrated. The Leon ST Cupra and the great SUV prototype are presented in the Geneva Hall #20v20, while in the Frankfurt Hall the León Cross Sport Concept. The range includes a new finish called ConnectBecause of the agreement with Samsung that uses technology for mobile devices. The Ibiza, Toledo and Alhambra models receive small improvements such as new tires, more equipment and better auctions. The finish is also presented FR Line for the Mii, Toledo and Alhambra models.

• 2016: On February 10, 2016, the Spanish brand officially presents to the press the SEAT Ateca, the first ever traded by the brand and which was presented to the public at the Geneva Hall. The 25th anniversary of Toledo, the 20th anniversary of the Alhambra and the 20th anniversary of the Cupra range.

• 2017: On January 31, 2017, the new Ibiza would be presented which would later be shown in the Geneva Hall. Also this year would be presented the new SEAT Arona in the Frankfurt Hall.

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  SEAT Logo in 2017.

• 2018: On January 31, 2018, SEAT announces that Cupra will cease to be the sporting finish to become the new high-end submark of the brand; the official presentation of CUPRA would arrive on February 22 with the Cupra Ateca, its first model, and the CUPRA Ibiza prototype, including the new exclusive logo for Cupra to replace SEAT. The presentation of CUPRA continues in the Geneva Hall with the prototype Cupra e-Racer. On the other hand, in China the VW group joined JAC Motors, where SEAT is one of the main partners, creating a new SEAT brand and image called SOL. The new SEAT Tarraco is presented in the Paris Hall, which features new design features that will be included in the future models of the brand.

• 2019: In the Geneva Motor Show, in March, the concepts SEAT el-Born, SEAT Minimó and Cupra Formentor were presented, in addition to a special edition of the CUPRA Ateca.

• 2020: It is the 70th anniversary of the company. In February, the fourth generation of the SEAT Leon and the Cupra León, which were to be presented in the next car hall of March, annulled by the COVID-19 pandemic, was announced in a press event. SEAT collaborates during the pandemic using its facilities to produce respirators. In 2020 it also presented its new urban mobility brand, SEAT MÓ, whose headquarters in Casa SEAT, was also inaugurated in 2020. It also opens the electromobility Learning Center (eLC) and initiates the construction of the Test Center Energy.

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  Current SEAT S.A. Logo