The Seat factory in Martorell, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary, reached another milestone in 2018 by exceeding the figure of 10 million vehicles produced. In the past quarter century, 39 different models have rolled off the production lines of Spain's largest car factory, ranging from the second generation Seat Ibiza and the first Seat Cordoba to the Seat Arona or the Audi A1, which is now into its first few weeks of production.
The factory was inaugurated in 1993 following an investment of $2.29 billion. Seat transferred production there after 40 years in the old Zona Franca factory in Barcelona and since then, the brand's main models have been made in Martorell, as well as the Audi Q3 and A1. The factory is the Volkswagen Group's third largest in Europe, and has become the benchmark smart factory of Industry 4.0.
The vehicle number 10 million, an Arona FR 1.5 TSI combining the colours Desired Red and Midnight Black, is on display this week in the Martorell factory as a part of the exhibition to commemorate the plant's 25th anniversary. This Arona was built on the MQB A0 platform, which it shares with the Ibiza and newcomer Audi A1. Seat was the Volkswagen Group's first brand to use this platform, which allows for greater manufacturing flexibility as it supports various models and enables different kinds of body styles within the same segment, and has made it possible for Martorell to add three new models to its lines in the past 18 months.
