The future of Seat and Skoda within the VW Group

In Europe, if you’ve ever entered the family hatchback market, chances are you’ve considered the Volkswagen Golf, Europe’s best-selling passenger car for a long time (until 2020). Also, for buyers who want to choose an alternative to the most popular options, the VW Group has also offered packages similar to the Seat he Leon and Skoda Skala. This theme is repeated in other model lines within the two sister brands. Both typically offer models that share foundations with Volkswagen at slightly lower prices. However, the difference in product plans for these brands could suggest that they will be treated differently within the VW group going forward, especially as we head into the electric age.

We are in a transitional period where some model lines will be phased out in favor of the launch of all-new electric vehicles, often labeled with sub-brand names such as Volkswagen’s ID and Hyundai’s IONIQ. We are at the beginning of the period. To highlight the range of electric models, some BEV designs deviate considerably from the manufacturer’s existing lineup, in some cases rebranded, like the SEAT and its offshoot his Cupra. and create new identities.

So far, there’s been no indication that SEAT will launch a BEV anytime soon. Skoda, by contrast, has already found success with its Enyak, and sales of this BEV so far this year (through July) are lower than Volkswagen’s. It is about the same level as the phone ID.4. Skoda also recently revealed plans for the Skoda 7S concept and other of his BEVs in the pipeline, demonstrating clear his BEV ambitions within the group. So in the long term, SEAT may eventually be left without his BEV activity and no longer offer an alternative to Volkswagen’s ID range, while Skoda’s BEV plans are likely to be more in line with Volkswagen’s secures his position in the VW Group as Ng’s closest relative.

Long-term BEV development for SEAT remains uncertain. In the future, the Cupra brand, including the BEV, will likely move away from its origins as a SEAT-based performance offshoot to find its own identity. , was signaled by Terramar’s announcement, due in 2024. Today’s savvy customer will notice that this model is mechanically paired with the Audi, not the seat. The VW Group hopes this will push Cupra into the luxury market towards a reputation and pricing strategy more in line with premium manufacturers.

This could improve the future profitability of the CUPRA brand. If SEAT’s BEV plans really aren’t there, will we see the end of the Spanish brand?