Seat vehicles have been in the garages of drivers around the world for over 70 years. Over seven decades, the Spanish manufacturer has delivered millions of units to more than 70 markets. The history of SEAT is full of interesting facts, extraordinary collaborations and pioneering events.
Among the most interesting is the fact that the 18-year-old King Philip VI of Spain used the Ibiza model, and John Paul II used a specially adapted Seat Panda during his pilgrimage to Spain.
The little-known facts from the history of SEAT include the fact that the first electric car of the brand was created back in 1992 and was presented during the Olympic Championship in Barcelona.
Since the 50s
The first SEAT car left the factory in November 1953. It was a 1400 A model with a front-mounted 44 hp engine, which made it possible to reach speeds of up to 120 km / h. The daily production at the plant then amounted to 5 cars, and in total the company employed 925 people. Since then, the Spanish manufacturer has created a total of more than 50 models and, as part of the Volkswagen Group, employs more than 15,000 specialists, selling its vehicles in more than 70 markets worldwide. In the rich history of the brand, one can single out many facts and curiosities that contributed to its success, as well as determined its role and image in the automotive world.
Notable clients
Among the brand’s most famous clients is the current king of Spain, Felipe VI. The monarch received the car from his father, King John Carlos (Juan Carlos I), when he was 18 years old. The heir to the Spanish throne drove Seat Ibiza for many years, which then entered the collection of historic cars of the brand.
The 1980s also saw the creation of a one-of-a-kind Seat Panda, custom-built for John Paul II’s papal pilgrimage to Spain. Since the Vatican popemobile was too wide to fit through the gates of the Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabeu stadiums, the brand’s engineers adapted the car to the needs of the clergyman.
First electrician
In 1992, Seat introduced its first electric car. Seat Toledo Electric was the official car of the XXV Olympic Games in Barcelona. The car had 16 lead-acid batteries, which increased its weight by more than half a ton, which provided more than 65 km of run without harmful emissions. The company provided the organizers with 2,000 vehicles to transport athletes, journalists and staff, and in addition, the Spanish medalists received luxury Toledo Podium conventional cars equipped with, among other things, a landline telephone and fax machine.
Cooperation with Italian Fiat
Not everyone also knows that Seat has been associated with the Italian Fiat for many years. For the first three decades of its operation, the Spanish brand produced cars under Italian licenses. The greatest success at the beginning of the company’s career was provided by the 600 model (similar to the Fiat 600), the production of which started in 1957. It was this car, structurally very similar to the well-known Fiat 126p, that marked the beginning of the era of mass motorization among the Spaniards.
Million car
In 1969, the millionth Seat 124 was produced. To celebrate this milestone, the Spanish company decided to randomly select a person from among its employees to whom it would give the car. Unfortunately, this happened to an employee who did not have a driver’s license. The company decided to buy back the car, and the commemorative copy added to the collection of historical cars.
We choose names together with fans of the brand
The Seat brand decided to ask its fans to suggest a name for one of its models. The name Seat Tarraco, referring to the city of Tarragona, was chosen as a result of an open plebiscite in which everyone could present their proposal. After the preliminary selection, the voting stage followed. The final proposal was chosen by 52,000 people.
It is also interesting that since 1982, successive SEAT models began to be named after Spanish cities and regions, earlier cars were marked by engine size.
Source: Wprost
I am Jason Root. I work in the news website industry and mostly cover the automobile industry. I have also written for Daily News Hack. My work revolves around new car models, prices, and features. In addition, I often write about used cars and tips for buying them. My articles are meant to be helpful for those who are in the market for a new or used car.
