The factory was founded in 1950 as Sociedad Espaniola de Automobiles de Turismo. Probably not entirely coincidentally, the name sounds like the founder of the company Fiat. Production facilities in Spain (also by other companies) were necessary because the import of complete vehicles was covered with high taxes. At Seat, more vehicle components were manufactured than in production facilities of other manufacturers, which had partly only tasks in the finishing.There were also significantly in the course of time Spanish versions of Fiat models and new models, which also went for export.
1986 Seat was taken over by VW. Since then, cars are manufactured here, whose undercarriage with chassis frame and complete drive corresponds with those of other subsidiary companies. Only the outer body (the hat) and the interior equipment are different. Seat in the meantime took the role of a pioneer in the design (see picture above!). Currently (2005) is more doubtful whether this alignment can hold out with success.