SEAT & CUPRA Plant in Martorell Starts Production of CUPRA Raval & Volkswagen ID. Polo, Leading a New Era of Mobility in Europe

The SEAT & CUPRA plant in Martorell has commenced production of the CUPRA Raval and Volkswagen ID. Polo, signalling a significant milestone in the electrification of urban mobility across Europe. These models form part of the Electric Urban Car Family, a project led by SEAT & CUPRA on behalf of the Volkswagen Group’s Brand Group Core, which includes four fully electric vehicles across three brands, all manufactured in Spain. The launch event was attended by prominent figures including Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume, underscoring the strategic importance of this initiative for the European automotive sector. The Electric Urban Car Family project utilises a shared platform that reduces production complexity and costs, enabling the delivery of four distinct electric models tailored to diverse customer needs. This cross-brand collaboration highlights SEAT & CUPRA’s expanded role within the Volkswagen Group, as it spearheads the development of the MEB21 platform from the Iberian Peninsula. The project is expected to generate significant cost savings of around €600 million, enhancing competitiveness in the entry-level electric vehicle segment and supporting the broader goal of making electric mobility more accessible throughout Europe. Executives at the event emphasised the transformative impact of this production launch. Markus Haupt, CEO of SEAT & CUPRA, described it as a landmark achievement reflecting the company’s cultural and industrial evolution, backed by over €3 billion in investments at the Martorell plant. Oliver Blume highlighted the strategic value of Spain as a central hub for electromobility within the Volkswagen Group’s “Made-in-Europe” approach, reinforcing Europe’s industrial base amid growing global competition. Thomas Schäfer, overseeing the Volkswagen Brand and SEAT & CUPRA supervisory board, praised the project’s demonstration of synergy and collaboration within the group to accelerate electrification. The Volkswagen ID. Polo represents a new chapter for the iconic Polo model, now fully electric and designed to combine practicality with advanced technology. It offers a WLTP range of up to 454 kilometres and features innovations such as Connected Travel Assist, one-pedal driving, and a vehicle-to-load function that can power external devices like e-bikes. Meanwhile, the CUPRA Raval marks a fresh phase in CUPRA’s growth, embodying the brand’s commitment to sporty, urban electric vehicles that challenge conventional expectations in the compact car segment. With the start of production at Martorell, SEAT & CUPRA have positioned themselves at the forefront of Europe’s transition to sustainable mobility. The flexible manufacturing facility is equipped to produce electric, hybrid, and efficient combustion vehicles, ensuring adaptability in a rapidly evolving market. This development not only strengthens Spain’s automotive industry but also sets the stage for further advancements in electric vehicle technology and cross-brand cooperation within the Volkswagen Group.