SEAT sales continue their upward trend. The brand ended the first half of 2014 with 200,200 vehicles delivered, 9.9% more than in the first half of 2013 (182,200). SEAT has achieved its best result of the past six years, exceeding the figure of 200,000 units delivered for the first half of a year since the beginning of the economic crisis in 2008.
Sales of the Leon have provided the key to this growth. This compact car has seen its sales increase by 62.3%, totalling 78,600 vehicles, 30,200 more than for the first half 2013 (48,400). The ST estate version has exceeded expectations and contributed 21,200 units. The Alhambra, one of the fastest-growing models so far this year, adds another 19.4% (total: 11,400 units; 9,500 in 2013).
SEAT President Jürgen Stackmann underscored the fact that SEAT continues to grow above the market average. “Volumes are still low, but the European market is already showing signs of recovery. In this context our sales are once again growing above the competition average. The Leon is a success and will enable us to maintain this growth momentum”. Dr. Andreas Offermann, Vice-President for Sales and Marketing, said that
“the Leon caters to the needs of all customers. The addition to the range of the Leon CUPRA and the ST 4Drive, and the X-PERIENCE over the next few months, enhance the prospects of this model, and are completed by the launches of the special version of the 30th anniversary Ibiza and the Mii by MANGO”.
Main European markets boost sales
SEAT has increased deliveries by 10.5% in Western Europe for the first half of the year (158,300; 143,300 in 2013) and has reached a market share of 2.5% (2013: 2.4%). In Germany the company has marketed 42,300 vehicles (2013: 38,200), a 10.9% increase, consolidating its position in the top ten. SEAT has also seen double-digit sales in Spain, +13.3%, (total: 39,300 units; 34,600 in 2013), the United Kingdom, +17.4%, (total 26,800 vehicles; 22,900 in 2013) and Italy, +14.2% (total: 6,600; 5,800 in 2013). Also SEAT has sold almost 2,000 additional vehicles in Portugal, where sales have doubled to +113.0% (total: 3,700; 1,800 in 2013).
SEAT deliveries to Eastern Europe have grown by 78.2% in the first half of 2014, reaching a total of 12,900 units (2013: 7,300). In the Czech Republic, the brand’s main market in the area, with a total number of 3,900 vehicles delivered (2013: 1,900), sales have doubled (+109.8%). Outside Europe the best-selling list is headed by Mexico (10,300 units), Algeria (8,400), where last week SEAT officially opened its showcase dealership in the outskirts of the capital Algiers, Turkey (3,900) and Israel (3,200).
Growth in production and jobs at Martorell
Martorell, the production plant where the majority of SEAT vehicles are built, has closed the first six months of the year with growth figures of 11.1% compared to the same period of the previous year, with a total of 239,100 units built, almost 24,000 more (2013; 215,200). Thanks mainly to the increase in production of the Leon, this year more than 550 temporary workers have been hired by SEAT; and in March a third shift was added to the line producing the Leon. Additionally, on 1st July the first 45 students trained using the dual VP training model joined the company.