A TALE WE DON’T GET TIRED OF TELLING

2010

In 2010 SEAT celebrates its 60th anniversary in style. The presentation of the revolutionary SEAT IBE concept, a zero-emissions sports coupé for the electric age, points the way to an exciting future. This year also sees the development of greener engine technologies through our innovative new E-Ecomotive range. We also bring two stunning new cars on to the scene: a more spacious version of our popular Ibiza ST and a new SEAT Alhambra, an MPV packed with some surprising technology for all the family to enjoy. It‘s a great feeling to celebrate our 60th anniversary. And it‘s an even better feeling to know that we‘ve only just begun.

Come with us on a journey back in time: Zoom yourself from what SEAT is now – one of the youngest, sportiest and most design-driven car manufacturers worldwide – to our beginning as Spain‘s premier family car maker. Learn about years of challenges, brave changes, technological breakthroughs and ongoing successes.

2009

Continuing our search to further build sustainable drivability, 2009 sees the presentation of the Leon Twin Drive Ecomotive project, the first prototype of a hybrid vehicle, and a car that sets a new standard in eco-friendly performance. The Geneva Motor Show in March provides the backdrop for the presentation of the Exeo ST and the Leon Ecomotive Concept prototype, two cars that represent SEAT‘s innovative approach to car making. To mark the 25th anniversary of the SEAT Ibiza, the brand exhibits the "25th Anniversary" version of its iconic model.

At the Barcelona Motor Show the Ibiza Bocanegra, the new Leon Cupra and Ibiza FR, as well as the definitive version of the Exeo ST, are also unveiled to public acclaim. June sees the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone of the bodywork workshop for the new Audi Q3. A project that lays the foundation for the future of SEAT innovation.

In September 2009 James Muir is appointed Chairman of the Board of Management of SEAT. Mr Muir brings his long experience working in the automobile industry to open a new chapter in the history of the Spanish brand.

That same month, the Frankfurt Motor Show showcases the IBZ concept car, a foretaste of the Ibiza family version, as well as the Ecomotive version of the Altea, Altea XL and the Leon. Further examples of our forward-looking vision of the future of engine technology.

In sport, SEAT once again proclaims itself world champion of the WTCC for both Manufacturers‘ and Drivers‘ categories, with Gabriele Tarquini at the wheel. SEAT sponsors the UEFA Europa League, Europe‘s biggest football tournament.

2008

2008 can safely be called our New Ibiza Year: We launch the new SEAT Ibiza as the indisputable flagship vehicle for our brand – and roll out the Ibiza SC. The Ibiza CUPRA and Ibiza Ecomotive are presented shortly after. All these versions fuse beauty and technology in a way unprecedented for SEAT, and firmly place the new Ibiza amongst the most technologically advanced and edgy vehicles on the market. On top of that, the new SEAT Ibiza gained the maximum of 5 Stars in the Euro NCAP Safety Tests, making it one of the safest cars available.

The launch campaign is supported by the European tour of three “Jewel Transport Trucks” – taking the new SEAT Ibiza around 20 major cities from April onwards for the public to get a first impression of the new superstar in our collection. Towards the end of the year, the new SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive is titled the world’s most ecological car of its class by the highly influential German newspaper “Bild am Sonntag”. In October, we present the Exeo, the first SEAT limousine in the B segment, in its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show.

SEAT Sport makes history by winning the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) manufacturers’ title for the first time with a fleet of SEAT Leon TDI® WTCCs. The French SEAT pilot Yvan Muller takes the drivers’ title after the final race of the season in China.

2008 is also the second year in a row that SEAT is one of the global sponsors of the prestigious Red Bull Air Races – a series of thrilling acrobatic flight competition events taking place in some of the most beautiful cities in Europe, including Budapest, London, Porto and Rotterdam.

2007

Early on in 2007, we launch SEAT Service, a unit merging all after-sales activities. SEAT Service ensures increasingly streamlined, globally standardised vehicle maintenance and repairs – guaranteeing content customers and happy SEAT-drivers around the world.

That same year, SEAT sponsors Shakira’s “Oral Fixation” European tour. As part of the sponsorship campaign, SEAT and the singer design the SEAT Leon CUPRA “Pies Descalzos” : a one-of-a-kind car that is finished according to Shakira’s colour and upholstery specifications, presented at the Geneva Motor Show and donated to the Colombian superstar’s charity foundation “Pies Descalzos” in support of children in need in her home country. An unforgettable campaign for SEAT, Shakira – and some of the neediest children in Colombia.

In July, the Prototype Centre of Development (PCD) is inaugurated – a specialised department merging the virtual and physical stages of prototype development. It puts SEAT firmly at the cutting edge of the motoring industry.

In September, our brand causes a stir at Frankfurt’s IAA Motor Show with its highly original sports utility concept car SEAT Tribu and one of the most environmentally friendly cars on the market – the first SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive. That same year we also showcase the SEAT Altea Freetrack, our first 4x4 vehicle fusing a sense of adventure with cool urban chic.

Towards the end of the year, the SEAT Design Centre (SDC) is opened in Martorell. It is one of the most modern and functional design centres in the world. It is the foundation for SEAT’s ambitious, design-driven future.

2006

We open our new head office centralising all our activity in Martorell near Barcelona in 2006, and Erich Schmitt becomes the new President of SEAT.

In May, the new SEAT Leon FR is unveiled at the Madrid Motor Show. In July, the SEAT Leon CUPRA is presented at the London Motor Show: It is the most powerful car of the SEAT brand to date. In September, the SEAT Altea XL is uncovered at the International Motor Show in Paris: It is the most family-friendly model of our range.

2005

2005 is marked by the arrival of the new SEAT Leon, unveiled at the Barcelona Motor Show together with its race competition version, the SEAT Leon WTCC. The new Leon is an immediate success both for the many awards it received and the excellent market acceptance.

Frankfurt‘s IAA Motor Show witnesses the world premiere of the SEAT Altea FR prototype: It is the first of the new generation of SEAT vehicles to adopt the FR concept. Meanwhile, the SEAT Altea 2 litre 170 hp TDI® prototype becomes the most powerful diesel engine car in the history of SEAT.

SEAT Sport finishes a brilliant season in the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship). It comes third, and gains its first WTCC trophy with the Leon WTCC only two months after entering the world championship.