SEAT is celebrating a host of sales achievements in the UK, bucking both the trend in the new car market and the nation’s prevailing economic conditions in the process. It’s our best year to date. New car sales in 2011 hit 36,089 for an all-time record market share of 1.86 per cent.
The exceptional performance – which includes an individual all-time best showing from our most familiar model, the Ibiza – sees our share of the UK new car market climb almost ten per cent compared with 2010, and that in a market which is down by more than four per cent in the past 12 months.
Record market share
The spectacular sales surge is no fluke, either. Official SMMT statistics show that SEAT’s share of the 2011 market is its third consecutive best, while the sales total of more than 36,000 cars comfortably exceeds SEAT’s previous UK best of 34,790 registrations in 2007.
Record December
What’s more our December market share of 2.08 per cent easily beats the brand’s previous all-time record for the month of 1.65 per cent.
Record year for Ibiza
The Ibiza family of SC, 5dr and ST models remains our soaraway best-seller, with 19,179 registrations in 2011: an all-time best for the Ibiza in a single year here.
The much-admired Leon five-door family hatch is a proud runner-up in the SEAT UK sales table with 10,714 registrations in 2011.
The Ibiza family of SC, 5dr and ST models remains our soaraway best-seller: 19,179 registrations in 2011
The luxurious Exeo saloon and ST line-up continues to win fans in increasing numbers, too – 2,735 canny buyers opted for an Exeo saloon or ST in 2011, an increase of almost 12 per cent on its 2010 registrations.
Alhambra gaining in popularity
The stand-out performance of the year must surely be our multi award-winning new Alhambra, which almost trebled sales in 2011. Named MPV of the Year by a plethora of influential UK motoring titles including What Car? and Auto Express over the course of the past 12 months, the impressive seven-seat people carrier also boasts a very healthy bank of orders as 2012 begins.
Sales of the multi-award winning Alhambra almost trebled in 2011
Strong performances from both fleet and retail sales operations have contributed to our 2011 success – the strongest sales total in SEAT’s 26-year history in the UK.
Fleet sales up 21 per cent
Fleet sales, in particular, ended the year 21 per cent up on their 2010 total – with our increasingly well-regarded fleet and business sales team making significant headway in this ultra-competitive sector.
SEAT UK’s Managing Director, Peter Wyhinny, is understandably proud both of the 2011 total, and the brand’s continuing growth in this country. He said: “The entire SEAT UK team, and our growing network of excellent Dealers, can rightly take great pride in this fabulous achievement.
“SEAT has an ambitious plan for growth in this country and our performance in 2011 clearly demonstrates that it is firmly on track.
“I’m thrilled to see so many more new car buyers not only considering SEAT, but actually taking the decision to buy one of our sporty, dynamic and exciting new cars.
“Now, with the largest product offensive in our history due in 2012 including the debut of the exciting Mii city car, I’m more confident than ever that we can look forward to a prosperous and successful future in the UK.”