SEAT concluded 2016 with increased sales for the fourth consecutive year. The carmaker delivered a total of 410,200 vehicles globally, which is 2.6% more than in 2015 (400,000) and the best result since 2007. In the last four years, SEAT’s global sales have gone up by 27.8%, which represents 89,200 more vehicles than in 2012 (321,000). SEAT’s performance in the Irish market aligns with the global success with results indicating strong growth for the car brand in Ireland with a 13% increase on registrations year on year. Fuelling SEAT’s success in 2016, the SEAT Ibiza and SEAT Alhambra ranges continued to be very strong performers for the brand with sales of the Alhambra up 56% while sales of the Ibiza increased by 34%. Meanwhile, the SEAT Leon continues to be a popular choice for motorists as the model achieved a 6% growth in sales in comparison to 2015.
The new Ateca has spurred SEAT deliveries. 24,200 units of the company’s first ever SUV have been sold since it reached dealerships starting in July. Thanks to the successful launch of the Ateca, SEAT deliveries in the second half of 2016 stepped up by 5.3%. The Ateca figures are complemented by growth posted by the Alhambra and the Leon. Both models concluded 2016 with their highest ever sales results. Coinciding with its 20th anniversary, sales of the brand’s minivan saw double-digit improvement, increasing by 13.6% to stand at 30,700 units. In terms of the Leon, its sales went up by 3.0% to reach 165,000 vehicles. This is the best sales result of the Leon since it was launched in 1999, and it is the brand’s best-selling model. Furthermore, the Ibiza is reaching the end of its fourth generation with a high sales volume and concluded 2016 with 152,000 vehicles delivered, which is slightly lower than the 2015 figure (-0.9%).
The launch of the Ateca is having a positive impact on customer deliveries, as well as on the company’s financial results. In the first nine months of 2016 the company posted an operating profit of 137 million euros, a figure which is 11 times higher than the profit obtained in the same period the year before. SEAT President Luca de Meo expressed his satisfaction with the results. “Our product offensive has just begun, and for yet another year our performance has earned us positive results. The launch of the Ateca enables us to face upcoming future with optimism: it’s already the brand’s third pillar, and starting this year its contribution to sales is going to be much more noticeable”. Speaking about 2017, Luca de Meo said that “with the updated Leon, the fifth generation Ibiza and the new Arona we set ourselves the goal of increasing our sales volume. 2017 is going to be a very special year for SEAT”.
