Seat announced their new ‘Strategy 2025’ plan in order to create sustainable profitability and that includes the launch of four new models in the next two years.
The first of the new models will be Seat’s first compact SUV, scheduled for debut in the first half of 2016, a model set to rival Nissan’s Qashqai and the likes of it. It is believed that Seat is also working on a smaller crossover that will go against models like the Citroen C4 Cactus and the Nissan Juke as well as a larger model previewed by this year’s 20V20 Concept.
The Spanish arm of the Group VW also presented a new manufacturing efficiency program named LEAP which will be applied over the next two years and involves allocating investments to adapt their Martorell plant’s Line 1 which now produces the Ibiza to a new platform, suitable for SUV models.
The program is expected to allow cost savings of around 100 million euros also by improving the company’s cost structure, revising costs on outsourced services, sponsorships, travel and events without affecting the expenses of their new products. This cost-cutting is a necessity for Seat and Group VW as a whole, thanks to the emissions scandal which is still in full swing.
“Now is the time to act with a view to the medium and long term, regardless of recent weeks’ news,” said Dr. Francisco Javier García Sanz, Seat Chairman. “The Volkswagen Group has full confidence in our plan for the future and it is perfectly integrated in their strategy. The models we have announced for the next two years will reach the market as scheduled and will contribute to SEAT’s sustainable growth.”
Note: Seat 20V20 Concept pictured
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