Leon boosts SEAT sales by 10% in 2014

SEAT ended 2014 with a new increase in sales. The automotive brand delivered 390,500 vehicles, 10% more than in 2013 (355,000), achieving its best result since 2007. SEAT accumulates 21.7% growth in the last two years, almost 70,000 vehicles more than in 2012 (321,000).

SEAT sales have been boosted by the Leon family. In 2014 it saw a 50% increase, reaching the figure of 154,100 units, 51,300 more than the previous year. Since the launch of the new generation in 2012 – the first with three different bodyworks – the Leon has more than doubled its sales, and has posted a 116% increase (2012: 71,200 vehicles). It has also achieved the best sales results since its launch in 1999, and for the first time has replaced the Ibiza as SEAT’s best-selling car.

The ST estate version of the Leon, launched at the end of 2013, has reached a volume of 47,100 units – 30.5% of overall figures for the model. The brand’s MPV, the SEAT Alhambra, has also achieved double-digit growth in 2014, exceeding 23,000 units (23,100; +15.6%).

SEAT Executive Committee Chairman Jürgen Stackmann, made a satisfactory assessment of these results. “For the second year running SEAT sales have seen double-digit growth. The Leon family has been a turning point in our history. It has become the second pillar of the brand and has opened the door to new customers”. Stackmann said of 2015: “Our goal is to consolidate growth. The range is going to grow and be renewed this year, starting with the models we already have, and we are getting ready for the immediate future – the arrival of the compact SUV in 2016”.



 More than 300,000 vehicles in Western Europe



For the first time since 2008 SEAT sales in Western Europe have exceeded 300,000 units (304,000), 11.3% more than in 2013 (273,200), growth figures that are clearly above market average, and which have provided a greater market share. In Germany sales have gone up by 10.4% to 84,600 units. Over the past four years, SEAT has almost doubled its results in this market (2010: 43,000). Spain is the country contributing most net units (8.500) to SEAT’s growth for 2014, totalling deliveries of 67,500 vehicles (+14.5%). The United Kingdom completes the top three of SEAT’s main markets with a new sales record, the fourth in a row. For the first time SEAT exceeded 50,000 units delivered (53,400; +16.8%), and since 2009 has seen accumulated growth of almost 80%.

The Spanish brand also won back positions in Italy and Portugal. SEAT has grown by 28.1% in Italy to 13,000 units, and 79.9% in Portugal, with a total figure of 6,900 vehicles.

Strong growth in Eastern Europe

Growth in Poland (+192.7%) and the Czech Republic (+61.3%) have sent sales soaring in Eastern Europe by 44.2% to 24,700 vehicles (2013: 17.100), 7,600 more. This is the best result since 2008. In the Czech Republic SEAT has achieved its best-ever figure, as well as being the region’s main market (6,800 units), followed by Poland (6,300), Slovakia (2,500) and Hungary (2,500).

Turkey and Israel, never-before-seen results

In 2014 SEAT beat its sales records in Turkey and Israel. In Turkey, the ninth country contributing greater sales volume, the brand delivered 12,000 vehicles, an 8.9% increase. Israel grew by 2.9% to 6,100 units. Mexico (21,300 vehicles) and Algeria (16,300) maintain their positions as SEAT’s fifth and sixth world markets respectively.

Vice-President for Sales and Marketing Dr. Andreas Offermann highlighted the fact that “today SEAT’s sales are more diversified. We are showing solid growth not only in the main European markets like Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and Italy, but also in Eastern Europe and other countries like Turkey and Israel. The Leon has made us stronger. And the new developments over the next few months will contribute to consolidation of this growth”.

Deliveries to customers in 2014

(by model, in units and annual % growth)

SEAT Mii (25,300; -12.3%)

SEAT Ibiza (150,000; -2.7%)

SEAT Toledo (18,600; -2.3%)

SEAT Leon (154,100; +49.9%)

SEAT Altea (19,300; -18.8%)

SEAT Alhambra (23,100; +15.6%)