In Spain SEAT- Sociedad Espanola de Automoviles de Turismo ( Spanish Touring Car Company) was set up with Fiat assistance in 1950, producing Fiat models under it's own brand name until 1981 , when Fiat withdrew it's support. Immediately afterwards SEAT signed a cooperation agreement with the German manufacturer Volkswagen and by the end of 1986 had become a part of the Volkswagen Group.
SEAT's annual production rose to 400,000 units in 2006 and in total they have produced over 16 million cars from their headquarters in Barcelona, with two thirds of the annual production being exported to over 70 countries worldwide.
The range of vehicles are brranded under the names of Ibiza, Leon, Altea, Exeo and Alhambra.
The Ibiza, Leon and Altea range aim at the 3-5 door hatchback market, with the Exeo specialising in the saloon and estate versions. The Alhambra is a wonderful example of a family MPV/Estate car and the new 'Ecomotive' is deemed to be the 'greenest' car in it's class, fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Within the SEAT range there is a car for everybody's needs.