Since 1953, SEAT has produced more than 16 million vehicles, with 2009 contributing by a volume of 337,000 new units. Two thirds of the production is exported, with the majority going to the European market. Globally, SEAT has more than 3,000 sales and service outlets in a total of 72 countries.
SEAT currently employs 13,500 workers, and its multiplying effect on Catalan industry is 1.6% (over 3% on employment). According to a study by the Catalan government, the company actually represents 5% of Catalonia's GDP and 1.5% of the Spanish total.
“SEAT is heading on a clear course towards the next phase of its development. With the introduction of the Ibiza ST and the new Alhambra, in autumn, the SEAT product line-up is the newest in its history,” says James Muir, President of SEAT. SEAT will have overhauled its entire model line-up by the time the new Alhambra enters production this autumn.
SEAT has five model ranges - the Ibiza, Leon, Altea, Exeo and Alhambra – with a wide array of body styles and engine variants. The sporting highlights are represented by the powerful FR and CUPRA versions. SEAT meets a broad spectrum of customer wishes, from 265 hp/195 kW in the Leon CUPRA R to CO2 emissions of only 98 grams/km in the Ibiza ECOMOTIVE.
For a long time, SEAT was heavily influenced by Italian manufacturer Fiat, which was one of SEAT’s founders in 1950, with an initial participation of 7 percent in the company. Until 1982, SEAT built almost exclusively Fiat models under license. But in 1984 the company launched on its own the most successful model of the brand, the Ibiza, of which 1,342,001 units were sold since 1993.
Two years later, Volkswagen became SEAT’s major shareholder, laying the cornerstone for the Spanish constructor’s modern age.
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