SEAT to Maintain Focus on Europe

Volkswagen AG's SEAT unit enjoyed 11% sales growth last year, with 80% of its volume coming in Europe.

The brand failed to meet its target of posting a full-year profit in 2013. But Juergen Stackmann, who took over as president last May, tells Automobilwoche that SEAT intends to meet that goal through continued growth in Europe.

He says the brand expects its biggest sales gains to come in Austria, Germany and the U.K. He also aims to expand the unit's product lineup in Mexico, developing that country into a major market.

SEAT sells cars in 81 countries. But Stackmann notes that the brand's limited budget means it must focus its marketing effort to produce rapid results. Unlike many carmakers, he says SEAT considers the European market "quite attractive."

Stackmann tells Automobilwoche that SEAT will expand its dealer network in Germany and France this year but continue to consolidate its home market outlets in Spain.