Since the new generation Leon was introduced, first in 5-door and later in the 3-door SC, sales are up 120 percent compared to 2012. SEAT's overall market share has risen threefold to 3 percent in the 18 months to the end of 2013.
According to the brand's Director Cian O'Brien (pictured above in Thomond Park, Limerick), order banks are up significantly for 2014 so far, and dealers are reporting greater footfall. "A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes at SEAT Ireland, and the appointment of five new dealer partners has given us greater visibility," he said at the Leon ST's press launch in Ireland yesterday.
He said the arrival of the ST variant gives SEAT here an opportunity where there's a visible migration from buyers who used to own compact SUVs to estates.
With a forecast 200 units for this year, the ST variant is expected to account for a quarter of Leon sales in Ireland.
