SEAT Leon – 25 Years

The SEAT Leon is 25 years old this year. Since its release in 1999, the Leon has been extremely popular in the compact car sector. Over the years, SEAT has sold more than 2.5 million units of the Leon worldwide making it one of the most successful SEAT cars to be made.

Four Generations of the SEAT Leon

• First Generation (1999): Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the original SEAT Leon reintroduced the brand to the compact segment with features such as four-wheel drive and a six-speed gearbox, offering up to 180 horsepower.
• Second Generation (2005): Under the guidance of Walter de Silva, the second iteration adopted a bold, aerodynamic design and featured unique recessed rear door handles for a sporty, two-door appearance. This generation also prioritised efficiency and performance.
• Third Generation: The third generation brought advanced infotainment systems, driver assistance technology, and full LED lighting to the compact car segment. It became the best-selling generation, with over one million units sold.
• Fourth Generation (2020): Introducing advanced connectivity and multiple powertrain options, the latest Leon continues to set benchmarks. Its e-HYBRID variant was SEAT’s first plug-in hybrid.

SEAT Leon Accomplishments

The Leon has earned titles such as the “Car of the Year” in Spain and Portugal and “Import Car of the Year” in Argentina. On the racetrack, it made history with back-to-back World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) titles in 2008 and 2009, becoming the first diesel-powered car to win an FIA world title.

It has also made appearances in films like Men in Black: International and the tv series Dark and Sherlock

Happy 25th birthday to the SEAT Leon!

British Car Production Drops Again

British car production saw a drop of 15.3% in October, with 77,484 vehicles manufactured, marking the eighth consecutive month of decline. This downturn was largely attributed to ongoing factory retooling for next-generation zero-emission vehicles, as reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Both domestic and export markets experienced setbacks, with output falling 4.7% and 17.6%, respectively.

The production of electrified vehicles – including battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid models -made up nearly a third of the total output at 24,719 units. However, this figure also represented a decline of 32.6% compared to the previous year. Since January, UK factories have produced 239,773 electrified vehicles, with 71.8% destined for export.

Exports to the EU, the largest market for UK cars, dropped by 34.6%, while shipments to the US almost doubled, rising by 96.2%, driven by the popularity of luxury and premium models. Despite a 5.3% year-to-date increase in production for the UK market, overall manufacturing output remains 10.8% lower than the previous year, with exports down 14.8%.

The decline continues due to weak demand for electric vehicles and rising operational costs, challenging the industry’s transition to greener technologies. Despite over £20 billion in investment announced last year to support EV production, the outlook for UK manufacturing remains less than ideal. Projections for 2024 and 2025 estimate production levels of 911,000 and 839,000 vehicles, respectively, significantly below pre-pandemic figures.

Industry leaders are calling for urgent government intervention to help aid competitiveness. Proposals include energy cost reductions, supportive market regulations, and trade agreements promoting free and fair commerce. Without these measures, UK car production risks falling below 750,000 units by 2030, threatening jobs and economic stability.