A MAJOR car manufacturer has admitted “all options” are on the table as it faces huge global pressures.
The announcement could mean the end of a range of budget cars already sidelined in recent years.
SEAT, the Spanish car brand owned by the Volkswagen Group, has been out of favour in recent years with the manufacturer preferring to favour Cupra.
Until 2025, the brand hadn’t updated its cars since two models each got facelifts back in 2021.
As previously reported in The Sun, Volkswagen could axe up to 50,000 jobs and close four plants as the number of Chinese cars for sale in Europe rises to its highest ever level.
As well as job cuts, there is the potential for multiple factories to be closed and a reduction in the number of models produced.
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SEAT would be retired “at the end of 2029 at the latest” as VW reportedly looks to focus more on Cupra, the German website WirtschaftsWoche has reported.
In a statement posted on its website, SEAT has now announced that it is “keeping all options open for the Seat brand”, which could include winding down the manufacturer.
The statement noted that several scenarios remain possible beyond 2030, which could include a “gradual phase-out”.
A final decision has not yet been made.
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SEAT is expected to introduce mild-hybrid versions of the Ibiza and Arona in 2027 while the Leon will get a full-hybrid powertrain in 2028 – in the brand’s first major refresh for years.
There has also been discussion around creating a fully electric version of the Ibiza.
The Sun has approached SEAT for further comment.