Seat has just entered the SUV segment and its range will expand beyond the Ateca.
Confirmed at the company’s annual press conference in Madrid by its new boss, Luca de Meo, a subcompact crossover based on Ibiza will be developed and manufactured in Martorell and go on sale in 2017.
“This is excellent news for both the brand and our main factory because it is the fastest growing segment and symbolizes a major step forward in making it the third pillar of the company, alongside the Ibiza and Leon families“, said de Meo.
The new SUV, which will take on the likes of the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 and Opel Mokka, will be based on the most compact version of VW Group’s MQB platform and will share styling cues with the next generation of the Ibiza that’s also due to be launched next year.
Besides announcing the upcoming ride, Seat has also posted its first ever profit since 2008 (€6 million / $6.6 million after tax), following a €66 million ($73 million) loss in 2014. Last year, the firm delivered 160,900 units of the Leon, up 4.4 percent, and 153,600 units of the Ibiza, 2.4 percent more, while the Alhambra has witnessed a rise of 17.2 percent.
Note: Seat IBX Concept pictured
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