Skip advert
Advertisement
Opinion

“SEAT could be the first victim as the affordable electric car battles begin”

Alastair Crooks foresees a bleak future for SEAT and it may not be the only casualty as manufacturers fight it out in the cheap EV space…

Opinion - SEAT

I attended a press conference held by SEAT recently and it did not fill me with confidence for the Spanish brand’s future. SEAT CEO Wayne Griffths announced there are no plans to bring out an all-electric SEAT car, despite having access to VW Group’s MEB platform and even the upcoming SSP EV technology.

Advertisement - Article continues below

With a deadline of 2035 that will end new internal-combustion engined car sales in Europe, it seems SEAT’s days are numbered - as a car maker at least. We could see the company live on as an ‘e-mobility’ brand with a range of electric scooters and quadricycles but the apparent lack of plans for any new cars that can be sold beyond 2035 speaks volumes.

Even with the might of VW to provide economies of scale, it appears that affordable cars like the ones SEAT became so good at making will be rendered unprofitable by the march of electrification. What I’m getting at is that if a car company the size of SEAT isn’t safe, is anyone?

Well, Chinese company BYD is confident it can secure a stake in the European market. You may have read our review of the new BYD Atto 3 and if you haven’t, it’s a family-friendly, all-electric SUV with decent range and technology for under £40k - essentially what SEAT should be churning out by now. 

Great Wall Motors has also relaunched its offensive in the UK with the Funky Cat - a SEAT Ibiza-sized EV for around £30k. MG has been revitalised with Chinese backing, occupying similar market territory as SEAT but with all-electric offerings like the MG5 and MG4

GWM Ora Funky Cat - front action

Many of these brands might be unfashionable but UK buyers can’t afford badge snobbery, now more than ever. Coincidentally, this is something Cupra will be hoping isn’t the case. SEAT’s former sub brand looks its most likely replacement as the more affordable, sporty option on the VW Group menu and it’s aiming to position itself in a more premium position built on its growing brand recognition. 

So will SEAT follow the same path as Saab, Rover and so many others before it? If not, which big car company will be the first to go? There’s only so much room at the affordable EV table.

Now check out our list of the best small electric cars to buy...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

BYD Atto 3 review
BYD Atto 3 - front tracking

BYD Atto 3 review

New kid on the block BYD has hit the ground running with its all-electric family SUV, combining quirky design with a comfortable ride in the Atto 3
In-depth reviews
23 Jan 2025
What is MaaS? Mobility as a Service and the future of car use
Mobilize Duo - front static

What is MaaS? Mobility as a Service and the future of car use

We look at the pros and cons of Mobility as a Service, and the vehicles set to help change the face of car ownership
Features
29 Dec 2024
Tesla Model Y alternatives: cars you could buy instead of Tesla's top-selling SUV
Tesla Model Y alternatives - header image

Tesla Model Y alternatives: cars you could buy instead of Tesla's top-selling SUV

The Tesla Model Y is a superb family SUV with EV power, but what if you fancy something different? We’ve come up with the best new and used alternativ…
Features
18 Dec 2024
Best electric car charging stations 2024: UK's top charger networks rated by EV owners
Best electric car charging stations 2024 - header

Best electric car charging stations 2024: UK's top charger networks rated by EV owners

The bad, the good and the outstanding; you rank the major players in the expanding UK charging network
Features
13 Nov 2024

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it
Renault 5 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it

The reborn Renault 5 is one of the most feverishly anticipated cars in a long time, and at such a low price, our Deal of the Day for 8 February is a p…
News
8 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts