Slogan: Auto emotion
The history of this Spanish car manufacturer does not shine with big names or flashy models. But she is interesting and original in her own way. Especially since Sociedad Espanola de Automoviles de Turismo is a fairly well known company in many countries around the world. She left her mark in the history of motor racing (WRC and TOCA).
May 9, 1950 in the city of Martorell (Martorell), near Barcelona (Barselona) began its activity a car manufacturing company, founded with the joint participation of Instituto Nacional de Industria (Spanish National Institute of Industry) and six Spanish banks. Had a share in this business (7%) and the Italian automaker FIAT. The latter played a very important role in the fate of the new brand - after all, it was his cars (naturally under a different logo) that were produced at the factories of the new company. In 1953, the production of the first model began - SEAT 1400 (FIAT 1400). A few years later, this car is already being produced in tens of thousands of pieces a year. Production of other models also begins. For example SEAT 600 (FIAT 600) - a car that was destined to become one of the most popular in Spain in the 60s and 70s of the last century.
SEAT 124 (FIAT 124 model was recognized in 1967 as the “car of the year”. This determined the interest in it of such manufacturers, like SEAT, VAZ, Tofas, KIA and others) |
In 1965, the first export in the history of SEAT takes place - 1,500 cars "left" to Colombia. And in 1968, the production of the SEAT 124 model (FIAT 124, also known in our latitudes as the VAZ 2101 Kopeika) begins.
1974 becomes a kind of milestone: the two millionth car rolls off the assembly line, and the company is among the ten largest in Europe and becomes the largest in Spain. Despite the fact that the automotive industry in those years is going through hard times, SEAT actively growing and increasing production capacity.
In 1980, cooperation with FIATthat lasted for 30 years. The reason was that all major shareholders were required to increase funding. FIAT was not interested in this. The first model released in the post-Fiat era is the SEAT Ronda. The appearance of this model almost caused a trial, because FIAT thought it was a copy of his Ritmo model. However, the subsequent examinations and analysis of the components and assemblies of both models showed that this was not so.
The SEAT Ronda (above) and FIAT Ritmo models are indeed very similar. |
Two years later, the company begins cooperation with Volkswagen. In 1986, the German automaker buys back 51% shares SEAT, gradually increasing its share to 99% by 1990. It should be noted that the takeover only benefited the Spanish manufacturer. There are such world-famous models as Toledo, Ibiza, Leon. In 1995, the ten millionth car rolled off the assembly line.
Headquarters SEAT SA still located in Martorel. More than 11 thousand people work for the company.