As B-segment estates continue to lose ground in most global markets, Seat has been forced to drop the Ibiza ST from their range.
The decision was taken after the five-door model’s sales dropped massively in favor of small SUVs, says Autocar citing a Seat spokesperson, and they follow the demise of the Renault Clio SW in 2013, and Peugeot 207 SW the year after.
“In general, the SW body type continues to lose ground in the majority of global markets. Only Italy, Germany, and Northern Europe show a preference for that body type. SWs have almost disappeared from the US market, while in China and South America they are quite rare to see“, said global automotive analyst for market research firm Jato, Felipe Munoz.
Introduced in early 2010, the Seat Ibiza ST (Sport Tourer) was the third member of the car company’s supermini family, after the five-door and three-door hatchbacks, and it was facelifted last year, in time for the Barcelona Motor Show. Besides the usual design updates on both ends, the Ibiza ST also came with new individualization options, additional colors, different wheels, and new technologies, such as the second-gen Easy Connect infotainment system, new sat-nav, MirrorLink and others, in addition to a revised engine lineup.
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