News: Seat starts building new Leon after €800-million investment
SEAT has started production of the new Leon at Martorell. Unveiled at the recent Paris Motor Show, the model has meant an overall investment of €800 million, primarily in vehicle development and the production facilities.
Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Executive Vice-President for Production, declared that “with the new Leon we have increased productivity by 10% and become more flexible, thus guaranteeing optimization of production costs”. Dr. Tostmann also highlighted the fact that “the 800 million euros investment in the new Leon consolidates our leadership position as Spain’s number one industrial investor in R&D”, adding that “the Leon, together with the Ibiza, represents the very essence of SEAT. It is a vehicle that projects strength, exuding precision and quality”.
SEAT has now started production of the five-door version of the Leon. Sales will begin at the end of November in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, followed by Spain in early 2013. Next year will also see the appearance of three-door and estate versions (both built at Martorell), which for the first time will expand the Leon family to three members, making it a more attractive and versatile model, catering to a wider range of customers. Together the first two generations accumulated total sales of 1.2 million units since 1999.
The new SEAT Leon uses the Volkswagen Group’s latest technology, like the modular transverse toolkit (MQB), providing a significant reduction in manufacture time compared with the second generation Leon. At the same time, the platform offers greater flexibility, enabling production of the three versions of the Leon as well as the Altea, Altea XL and Altea Freetrack on the same line. SEAT has also adapted manufacturing processes so as to ensure the highest levels of precision and quality, by the use of latest-generation technologies such as laser welding and measurement as well as hot stamping.
The new Leon is the first production vehicle to display SEAT’s new design language, and signals an enormous step forward for the brand. The Leon is equipped with a wide range of ground-breaking technology for improved safety and enhanced connectivity. The model is 90 kilograms lighter and 52 mm shorter than its predecessor, and has more interior space.
The offering of six petrol and four diesel power units guarantees a wide range to cater to all sorts of customers. At the same time, it is the first car to carry integrated LED headlights. Also, the new Leon is equipped with Start/Stop technology for greater efficiency – on average it consumes 15% less fuel than the previous generation.
SEAT is the only company in its sector with the full-range capacity to design, develop, manufacture and market cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting approximately 80% of its vehicles to 75 countries. In 2011 SEAT had a total turnover of more than 5 billion euros, with overall deliveries amounting to 350,000 units.
SEAT Group employs more than 14,000 professionals at its three production centres in Barcelona - Zona Franca, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon, amongst other models. Additionally, the company produces the Alhambra in Palmela (Portugal), the Mii in Bratislava (Slovakia) and the new Toledo in Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic) at Volkswagen Group plants.
The Spanish multinational also has a Technical Center, a ‘knowledge hub’, bringing together more than 900 engineers whose goal is to be the driving force behind innovation for the number one industrial investor in R&D in Spain. In line with its declared commitment to environmental protection, SEAT undertakes and bases its core activity on sustainability, namely reduction of CO2 emissions, energy efficiency, as well as recycling and re-use of resources.
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