EVs in SEAT’s Future as Spanish Automaker Joins Chinese JV

Spanish automaker SEAT is joining the JAC-Volkswagen joint venture in a move that will see the brand enter the Chinese market in 2020-2021.

SEAT, its parent company VW and JAC (Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group) have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see the Spanish company become Volkswagen Group’s lead brand in the project.

Under the agreement, SEAT becomes a shareholder of JAC Volkswagen. Since the JV’s creation last year, SEAT has contributed in the areas of design and R&D.

SEAT, together with VW Group China and JAC, will establish an R&D center in China to develop electric vehicles, connectivity and autonomous-driving technologies, including parts and components and core technologies, with operational use planned for 2021.

Company President Luca de Meo says SEAT is entering a new era that will allow it to globalize the brand and boost EV development.

“China offers many opportunities for SEAT, and we are going to contribute mobility solutions to suit the needs of customers,” he says in a statement. “This is also a chance for us to learn from the future trends that are developing in China.”