To many wasted opportunities, I'm so gutted for SEAT as I really worry about their future if they go down the SUV route.
Yes please
Yes please
Yes please
Yes please
Couldn't agree more Warren.
I was thinking about this today, bear with me:
Where is SEAT's future? Is there one for the brand? To start with, I'll keep my points to the VAG group.
Skoda:
Have a range of 4 well made, independently individual models; all aimed at the sensible/discreet buyer. The models range from a warm hatch, to mid and large saloons and the mpv/practical Roomster. They are reasonably priced and well rated by those who own them, thus good sales.
Audi:
Now have well and truly pushed their brand upmarket with a model range so large covering everything from roadsters to 4x4's, saloons and hatchbacks (all with hot versions) to a 'supercar' coupe. Each model (like with Skoda) is individual but retains the brands key design cues. The build quality is good and market share on the up.
VW:
Cover everything from the cheap supermini (Fox) to the executive Phaeton, once again, each model being distinctively different but still 'VW'. Have hot versions of various models in the range. Have shown interesting concepts likely to make production. So many models, so much choice.
The above brands offer something for most people. Small cars, large cars, sports cars, hot hatches, SUV's, people carriers etc etc.
SEAT:
Once supposed to be the 'sporting brand' of the VAG group, before that, considered to be the 'value' brand amongst the group. Previously had a decent model line up for various tastes including saloons, hatchbacks, a supermini and a people carrier. Most of which were available in 'beefed up' sportier variants. Arosa, Cordoba, Cordoba Vario,
Ibiza, Leon, Toledo and Alhambra. Today, the Alhambra can effectively be forgotten as it's so out of date, the MK4 based Cordoba was a design disaster and has been dropped, the Arosa supermini has gone.. leaving SEAT with IMO a model line-up of 2 cars.
Ibiza (now getting on a bit)
Leon MK2.
Yes, you may say what about the Altea, the Altea XL, the Toledo and the Freetrak concept thingybobwotsit.. but let's be honest, they're all basically the same car. Yes the Leon came to this fold pretty late, but the other models are all variations on the Leon theme, all on the same platform, all with similar interiors, all with the same exterior appearances. Where's the saloon? Where's the supermini? No wonder the
Ibiza and Leon are SEAT's key models - they're the only ones!
For a sporting brand, where's the rival for the Grande Punto, the VXR Corsa, the Clio 192? What about rivals for the Vauxhall VX220 and Monaro? Alfa's Brera, Mazdas RX8? What about the hot saloons on offer by Ford and VX.. where's SEAT's equivilent? There's no roadster, no coupe, no .. er ok, you get the idea.
If not a sporting brand, why do touring car racing? It's not going to win you many customers if there's no sporty models on offer to suit various tastes. What is SEAT? Still a value brand? Not likely given how much most of the range costs and given there's no small offering.
Given the choice, what is there to make the average joe on the street buy a SEAT over something from Ford, Vauxhall, Renault, Alfa (wasn't SEAT aiming to be the Spanish Alfa at one point?), Fiat or any of the other brands in the VAG group?
Answer: No.
