One of the most popular car brands has confirmed it won’t launch any electric vehicles until after 2030, despite acknowledging that EVs are essential for the brand’s long-term survival.
Seat CEO Wayne Griffiths revealed the company will make a decision on its EV timeline “at the end of the decade”.
The Spanish brand, owned by Volkswagen Group, was originally set to launch the El-Born as its first electric car in 2021, but this was rebadged as the Cupra Born.
Speaking at Seat and Cupra’s 2024 results conference, Griffiths admitted: “For Seat to have a certain future, we need to have an electric future.”
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Seat’s CEO said the brand would not consider an electric vehicle until the end of the decade
SEAT
Seat appears to be in a strong financial position, with Griffiths stating that “Seat at the moment is in a good place”.
The brand sold 310,000 vehicles last year, representing a 7.5 per cent increase compared to 2023, contributing to a turnover of €4.8million (£4million).
When questioned about why Seat would delay EV launches while competitors are introducing multiple electric models, Griffiths pointed to this financial stability as a key factor.
The company’s current success reduces the immediate pressure to enter the electric vehicle market.
Manufacturing capacity constraints at Seat’s Martorell factory in Spain are another factor in the delayed EV timeline.
The facility will be producing the upcoming Cupra Raval and Volkswagen ID 2, leaving limited space for additional models.
Griffiths stated that “at the moment [an EV] for Seat is not an immediate priority”.
The success of its sister brand Cupra has also reduced the urgency for Seat to enter the electric market.
Cupra, whose lineup includes the Born and Tavascan electric models, recorded impressive sales of 248,100 vehicles in 2024.
When asked if Volkswagen’s upcoming ID.1, targeted at around £17,000, could provide the basis for Seat’s first EV, Griffiths said he “would consider it in the future” but “it is not the time for a Seat EV just yet”.
He added that he “would not rule out” the prospect of an ID.1 twin for Seat eventually.
So far this year, Seat has sold 2,915 cars in the UK, while 3,850 new Cupra models have been registered, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
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Cupra has seen a huge 28 per cent growth in UK sales compared to the same time last year, although Seat has registered 2,000 fewer vehicles, representing a significant 42.9 per cent drop.
Despite this, Seat is still outselling other major manufacturers like BYD (2,791), Citroen (2,139), Fiat (2,034), Lexus (1,660) and Porsche (1,794).
