Major car brand to be discontinued but popular model will STILL be available under new name
A MAJOR car brand is being discontinued but its popular model will live on under a new name.
The Volkswagen Group has made a major decision to stop making its Seat cars in a key shake up of its strategy but some models will be rebadged as Cupra in the next few years.
Speaking at the Munich Motor Show, Volkswagen chairman Thomas Schafer said the “future of Seat is Cupra”.
He also confirmed the group will “ramp up” investment in the performance brand.
Under the strategy it is thought some models, such as the Ibiza supermini, will be phased out at the end of their current lifecycles.
Others though, including the Leon hatchback, will be rebadged as Cupra when they are next given a makeover.
Once the change is made, bosses will try to keep the Seat name, possibly being used for e-scooters, Autocar reports.
It is not clear yet what the switch will mean for Seat’s dealer network in the UK but it is thought there will be minimal disruption as most dealers already represent both brands.
Schafer explained that it had become “prohibitive” to continue investing in both Seat and Cupra.
The decision to go with Cupra was down to the brands “far greater” earning potential.
He also denied the move was linked to a supposed problem with the Spanish government, which was a joint-founder of Seat in 1950, but linked to the growing popularity of Cupra.
Schafer said: “There are no problems with the government.
“I think it was the right decision in hindsight, but it’s a gamble.
“I’ve seen lots of new names come up and go but this was a good decision.
“Cupra is bigger than Alfa Romeo and Polestar, so not just new brands but also old.”
It comes as VW announced decisions to discontinue multiple beloved models.
First, it was revealed that an iconic motor loved by millions of Brits would be phased out as the company pivots to an EV future.
This was then followed by an all-time classic favoured by celebs and even royalty being scrapped.