Speaking behind the scenes of the IAA Mobility Show, Volkswagen Group CEO Thomas Schaefer told Autocar that Seat was on track to shutting down operations and passing the flag to Cupra.
Schafer pointed out that the corporation could not afford investing in two similar brands and the choice fell on Cupra as the more financially promising of the two. He assured the reporter that the Spanish company would not shut down until the life cycle of its current car lineup comes to an end.
Autocar assumes that Cupra may inherit some of Seat cars with mild updates. The Leon (shown here) looks particularly viable and worth of continued production. The rest of the lineup may as well fade into oblivion, though.
As for the Seat – which has been losing popularity lately – it might remain around as a brand, but will probably become a small, niche-oriented company. For example, it could switch to producing urban mobility vehicles like quadricycles, scooters and the like.