Paris Motor Show is the backdrop for 30th anniversary of SEAT’s most iconic model
The first ever Ibiza was unveiled in 1984 at Paris Motor Show
SEAT’s Martorell plant in Barcelona, Spain, is celebrating the production of the 5 millionth Ibiza. The Spanish Brand reached the milestone on the iconic model’s 30th anniversary.
Employees on the production line of the best-selling car celebrated with SEAT Executive Committee Chairman Jürgen Stackmann, Vice-President for Production Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Head of Martorell Production Plant Stefan Loth, Mercedes Álvarez, SEAT Ibiza Product Management and Works Committee Chairman Matías Carnero.
This week SEAT will celebrate the 30 anniversary of its iconic Ibiza at the Paris Motor Show, which is where the first-ever Ibiza was unveiled to the world three decades ago. The Spanish Brand will also unveil the Leon X-PERIENCE, the brand’s most adventurous version of its compact car.
Since its launch in 1984, the SEAT Ibiza has become the best-selling and most-exported Spanish passenger car. Seventy per cent of those 5 million cars (about 3.5 million) have been sold outside Spain in more than 75 countries where the company has a presence. Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Mexico have proved to be the most important markets for the best-selling car in SEAT’s history.
Esther García Castellanos, a member of the SEAT Ibiza production team for more than a decade, said: “SEAT has always been a part of my life. My father was an employee at the SEAT plant in the Zona Franca, and this is the company that has given me the opportunity to get ahead in my career. I have always worked on the Ibiza production line. For me, reaching the figure of 5 million cars produced is the result of the passion we put in every day, the motivation of the personnel and positive proof of a job well done.”
Did you know that…?
- 700 SEAT Ibiza leave the Martorell plant every day
- It employs around 1,600 people
- Around 700 robots contribute to the success of the SEAT Ibiza
- A SEAT Ibiza covers around 12 km throughout its production process
- 5 million SEAT Ibiza placed end-to-end would stretch almost 19,300 km, the distance between Martorell and Auckland in New Zealand
- The 5 million units have consumed a total of 70 million kilograms of paint
- The SEAT Ibiza with female touches:
- The first SEAT to open the door to women on the production line
- Women account for 21% of the production line
- Two pop icons, Shakira and Katy Perry, have provided the music for the best-selling car’s advertising spots
- The approximate price of the SEAT Ibiza in 1984 was 825,000 pesetas (4,950€). This is the equivalent of 15,620€ at today’s prices
- The SEAT Ibiza was the official car at the Barcelona Olympic Games 1992