Two factors determine the SEAT electric vehicle strategy. One, as a subsidiary of Volkswagen the parent sets the tone, on the plus side SEAT has the benefit of the larger groups research and access to the VW MEB EV platform. Two, the SEAT market segment limits it as it can only compete when EV’s are selling at around €20,000, which the company only foresees in 2019. Currently, the benchmark for medium-sized EV’s is set by the Bolt and the Tesla Model 3 of around $30,000 after incentives. The company’s first field testing vehicle, since the Altea and Leon prototype, the eMii’s high manufacturing cost at current technology rates do not allow it to be a viable product.
SEAT was one of the more aggressive entrants into the EV sector at the turn of the decade, producing two prototypes which it planned to bring to market by 2015/6. These ambitions played second fiddle to other forces.
Volkswagen is positioning its SEAT brand in China. The German auto group, SEAT, and its Chinese partner JAC
agreed that SEAT will acquire a shareholding by 2021 in the VW JAC JV
at a signing in the presence of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The three companies will set up an
R&D center for developing electric vehicles, connectivity and
autonomous driving technologies by 2021. The JV aims to develop its own
BEV platform.
It is expected that the VW subsidiary SEAT
will bring an electric model of its Cupra range to market in 2019/2020.
The Spanish company this week unveiled what it calls the worlds first
ready to compete 100% electric race car. “The CUPRA e-Racer is a true
motorsport car, delivering 300 kW of continuous power and up to 500 kW
of peak power”, said Dr. Matthias Rabe, Executive Vice-President
for R&D. “The CUPRA e-Racer’s intention is to exceed the performance
of the conventional version, to demonstrate CUPRA’s technological
capabilities at all levels”. Specs released for the Cupra e-racer shows:
SEAT, the Spanish-based VW Group brand, announced that it would develop an electric version of the high-performance Cupra model range.
SEAT, the Volkswagen-owned
auto manufacturer will display an electric vehicle prototype at this
week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The vehicle includes
it’s Digital Access technology, replacing a key with a mobile phone. The
first pilot will kick-off at its factory in Spain, using employees.
Connectivity and the Internet of the Vehicle are bringing the world of
mobile ever closer to the auto sector.
Seat Electric Vehicles
Seat Electric Car Strategy in the news
Week 29 2018 SEAT positioned to enter China EV production
Week 10 2018 SEAT presents Cupra E-Racer EV at Geneva Motors Show
Week 26 2017 SEAT working on Cupra EV version
Week 8 2017 SEAT unveiling its latest EV
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