Currently reading: Moscow motor show 2012: Russia to give Seat sales boost

Volkswagen is looking to Seat to provide some much-needed "emotional" appeal in the Russian market

The Russian car market is expected to give Volkswagen Group’s struggling Seat offshoot a much-needed boost in sales volumes.

The Spanish arm of VW was launched into the market earlier this year, and sales are expected to reach a modest estimate of 20,000 units by the end of 2014.

But VW Group Russia’s general director Marcus Osegowitsch believes Seat is ripe for further growth in VW’s expanding Russian operation, as it is “the emotional brand missing from our current line-up.”

He added: “We want to push Seat as it makes the right products and is the right brand to grow in Russia.”

Should Seat be a success in Russia, some models could be produced locally Osegowitsch revealed. It is making its first appearance at the Moscow motor show this week and also launched into China earlier this year, a market where even greater growth is predicted.

Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you’ll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here.

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

Join the debate

Comments
2
Add a comment…
MrJ 29 August 2012

If only

If only SEAT could actually make something like that IBE concept, instead of a watered-down, uglier version (see the new Mazda 6) then the Russians could be in sell-their-dachas for one territory. Brits too, perhaps.

 

 

5wheels 29 August 2012

MrJ wrote: If only SEAT

MrJ wrote:

If only SEAT could actually make something like that IBE concept, instead of a watered-down, uglier version (see the new Mazda 6) then the Russians could be in sell-their-dachas for one territory. Brits too, perhaps.

 

 

 

The Russian are more savvy these days - they would RENT their dacha NEVER would sell it (except for a bigger one Smile

I agree that concept anywhere would sell - not sure it will do well in Russia though, take them years to get the name accepted and the products viewed as anything other than "down market boring"