SEAT to launch in China, extending its international reach

2011 SEAT Range

• Company to make official presentation this month at the Shanghai Motor Show
• Presentation of SEAT’s most popular models – the IBIZA and LEON

MARTORELL : April 12, 2011 - For the first time in SEAT’s history the company will be present at the Shanghai Motor Show (April 21-28, 2011) as part of the Brand’s strategy of expansion into new markets. The Company’s immediate objective is to establish the Brand in the mind of potential customers before sales begin with the LEON and IBIZA models in 2012.


SEAT Chairman James Muir said: “the Chinese market offers a great opportunity for a brand like ours. SEAT is synonymous with design, being young in spirit and sportiness, attributes which are greatly appreciated in this market”.

SEAT has identified that there is a large demand for distinctive European cars among consumers in China and believes that the timing is right to expand into this key market. “Our research shows that Chinese car-buyers value performance and dynamism. Furthermore, technology and state-of-the-art engineering are important to them and they are very design conscious. On this basis, we are satisfied that SEAT will bring something fresh and new to the car market in China, helping us to establish a brand identity and a position in the market which is uniquely SEAT’s,” explained Muir.

SEAT’s aim is to gradually enlarge its footprint in China with vehicles manufactured in Spain, at the Martorell production plant.


SEAT is the only company in its sector with the full-range capacity to design, develop, manufacture and market cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting approximately 75% of its production to 72 countries. SEAT is market leader in Spain, and in 2010 reached a trade volume amounting to 4.7 billion euros, with total sales of 339,500 vehicles.

SEAT Group employs 13,000 professionals at its three production centres in Barcelona - Zona Franca, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon, amongst other models. The Volkswagen Group production facility at Palmela in Portugal supplies the SEAT Alhambra.

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

[Source : SEAT]