Seat

Year of foundation 1950

The birth and connection with FIAT (1950s - 1970s)
1950: SEAT (acronym for "Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo") is founded on May 9th. Its creation is the result of an agreement between the National Institute of Industry (INI), an industrial holding company owned by the Spanish state, and the Italian automotive giant FIAT, which holds a minority stake. The goal is to motorize Spain, making the automobile accessible to a population that, until then, had had very limited access to vehicles.

1953: On November 13th, the first SEAT vehicle rolls off the production line at the Zona Franca plant in Barcelona. It is the SEAT 1400, a sedan based on the FIAT 1400. Initially, production is very slow, with only five vehicles produced per day.

1957: The SEAT 600 is launched, becoming the brand's most iconic and beloved model. Based on the FIAT 600, this compact and affordable car plays a key role in the mass motorization of Spain.

1960s: The company grows exponentially. Demand for cars is rising sharply, and SEAT responds by producing models such as the SEAT 850 and the SEAT 124, both derived from FIAT models. By 1968, production exceeds one million vehicles.

1965: The first exports of the SEAT 600 to Colombia begin, although contracts with FIAT still severely limit the brand's export capacity.

1970s: SEAT continues to consolidate its position in the Spanish market. Production reaches 3 million vehicles. In 1975, the company launched its first independently developed vehicle, the SEAT 1200 Sport, although its technical base was still tied to FIAT. The Technical Center in Martorell was also inaugurated.

Independence from FIAT and entry into the Volkswagen Group (1980s)
1982: The long partnership with FIAT ended. SEAT faced a new challenge: developing a completely independent model range. This marked a crucial turning point in the brand's history.

1983: The SEAT Ronda was the first model officially produced without FIAT. The Spanish brand began exporting.

1984: The first generation of the SEAT Ibiza was presented. Developed in collaboration with internationally renowned designers such as Giorgio Giugiaro and with engines supplied by Porsche, the Ibiza became a symbol of independence and modernity for SEAT, revolutionizing the compact car market.

1986: A milestone: The Volkswagen Group acquires a 75% stake in SEAT. This strategic alliance provides SEAT with access to advanced technologies and a global distribution network, paving the way for future international growth.

The Volkswagen Era and Global Growth (1990s - 2000s)
1991: The SEAT Toledo is launched, the first model entirely developed under the ownership of the Volkswagen Group. This marks the brand's entry into the competitive mid-size sedan segment.

1993: The new, state-of-the-art Martorell plant, near Barcelona, ​​is inaugurated. This state-of-the-art facility becomes the hub of SEAT production, allowing the company to exceed 10 million vehicles produced. That same year, the second-generation SEAT Ibiza is launched.

1996: The first SEAT outside of Spain is produced: the SEAT Alhambra MPV, manufactured in Portugal in a joint venture with Volkswagen and Ford.

1999: The first generation of the SEAT León arrives, a compact sedan distinguished by its sporty and dynamic design. The León becomes one of the brand's best-selling and most iconic models.

2000s: SEAT celebrates its 50th anniversary. The company continues to expand its range, launching new models and updating existing ones, strengthening its image as a youthful, sporty, and design-focused brand.

Recent Evolution and the CUPRA Era (2010s - Present)
2010s: The SEAT range is enriched with new models, such as the Mii city car, the Leon compact sedan, and the brand's first SUV, the Ateca.

2018: SEAT makes a key strategic move: the CUPRA brand, previously a sports division of SEAT, is elevated to an independent brand. CUPRA positions itself as a premium, high-performance brand, offering sporty models with distinctive designs, including the brand's first autonomous model, the CUPRA Formentor.

Today: SEAT continues to operate within the Volkswagen Group, focusing primarily on the European market. At the same time, the CUPRA brand is experiencing extraordinary success, exceeding sales expectations and becoming a key pillar for the company. SEAT S.A. (the holding company that manages both brands) is increasingly orienting itself towards electrification and new forms of mobility, with investments in research and development.