Seat celebrates 75 years of history: From motorizing Spain to leading mobility

In May of this year 2025, Seat commemorates 75 years of history that have shaped the course of the automotive and mobility sector in Spain. Since its beginnings back in 1950, the Spanish manufacturer has managed to reinvent itself and evolve, accompanying several generations and leaving its mark on the country's industrial history.

Over these seven and a half decades, Seat has transformed mobility for millions of people, going from being a company that manufactured five cars a day of the legendary Seat 1400 in the 50s, to reaching a current production of more than 3.000 units a day with a wide range of models that circulate in more than 70 countries. The company, currently part of the Volkswagen Group, underlines its pioneering nature by remaining the only automotive manufacturer that designs, develops, produces, and markets vehicles entirely in Spain, promoting innovation and employment at its plants in Barcelona, Martorell, and El Prat de Llobregat.

Historical exhibition and commemorative events…

To celebrate their milestone, Seat has organized a very special exhibition at Plaza Univers in Barcelona., coinciding with the Barcelona Automobile Show in May. Visitors can see 75 iconic vehicles that reflect the brand's evolution: from the first Seat 1400 to the iconic Seat 600, the groundbreaking Ibiza or the advanced León, until reaching the electric future with models like the Cupra raval which will soon take place in Martorell.

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This exhibition aims to explore Seat's role in the daily life and collective memory of Spaniards. Casa Seat has also joined the celebrations with a cultural program open to the entire city. It includes exhibitions of historic cars, interactive activities, miniature replicas, and exclusive culinary offerings, thus strengthening SEAT's connection with Barcelona society and its industrial legacy.

Collaboration with ONCE: the Cuponazo with 20 historic models…

One of the most unique tributes of this anniversary is the Special edition of ONCE's 'Cuponazo', which for the first time in the history of the draw has 20 different illustrations depicting legendary Seat models. 13,5 million coupons have been circulated, available throughout Spain, showing vehicles such as the 1400, 600, 1500, 127, 124 Sport or the Ibiza, and even more recent proposals such as the Leon e-HYBRID.

The collaboration between Seat and ONCE not only represents a nod to the nostalgia and memories of several generations, but also reflects the social commitment and importance of inclusion, values that both organizations share in their daily work. The special draw will take place on May 9, a significant date in the brand's history, and is already considered a technical milestone for ONCE, which has never before used so many images in a single draw.

A Spanish brand in constant transformation: innovation, export, and sustainability…

During these 75 years, Seat has produced more than 20,5 million vehicles and launched 77 modelsSome figures illustrate this evolution well: in 1953, production was five units per day at the Zona Franca plant; today, the Martorell factory, with 2,8 million square meters (the equivalent of 400 football fields), produces a car every 40 seconds.

Internationalization has been key in the company's recent historySince its first export to Colombia in 1965, SEAT has sold more than 80% of its cars outside of Spain, and its models are on the roads of more than 70 countries. Its entry into the Volkswagen Group in 1986 represented a strategic leap, consolidating its international presence and its commitment to its own technology.

In the most recent decade, the creation of Cupra in 2018. has strengthened Seat's position in the sports and electric segment, surpassing 800.000 cars sold under this new brand. Furthermore, the company is undergoing a transition towards electrification, with projects such as the new battery assembly plant and the imminent arrival of electric models produced in Spain, all within a major global investment alongside Volkswagen.

The importance of people and social commitment…

Seat is also a people companyDuring this time, more than 78.000 employees have worked within its ranks, and today the workforce exceeds 14.000. The company has always focused on training and developing local talent, as demonstrated by its historic Apprenticeship School (founded in 1957) and ambitious ongoing training plans.

Beyond the automotive industry, involvement in social projects, such as the manufacture of respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic or the recent creation of the Seat Cupra Foundation To promote youth talent and equal opportunities, they emphasize their active role in Spanish society.

Models that have shaped several generations…

Amongst the 20 models that will star in ONCE coupons and which are a fundamental part of the collective imagination, highlight the Seat 600 (the car that accompanied the middle class on their first trips), the 127 (reference of the Spanish utility vehicle in the seventies), the Ibiza (the best-selling model with more than six million units) and the León (a symbol of innovation and commercial success). Not to mention less common but essential offerings in the brand's evolution, such as the 1200 Sport "Bocanegra," the Fura Crono, the Ronda, and the Marbella Playa.

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The 75th anniversary celebrations They allow us to appreciate the entire journey from that first assembly line in Barcelona's Zona Franca to the current commitment to electrification, sustainability, and innovation, always with the goal of bringing mobility to as many people as possible. Seat continues to take on the challenge of leading the transformation of mobility in Spain, remaining an industrial, cultural, and social symbol generation after generation.

The history of Seat is written through all these cars, present in memories, family photos and even songs and movies, accompanying the daily lives of millions of Spaniards throughout their lives.

Source - Seat

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