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VIENNA – Volkswagen Group Rus is taking over distribution of the SEAT brand in Russia.
Until now, SEAT was VW’s only volume brand not sold via the auto maker’s Russian subsidiary. Distribution has been handled by an independent Polish importer.
Only 1,037 SEAT cars were sold in Russia through September, up 56.4% from like-2010. VW’s Spanish subsidiary ranks No.46 in sales in the country, and the brand’s market share is a minuscule 0.05%.
During the same period, Volkswagen Group sold 87,474 VW units; 50,121 Skodas, and 17,803 Audis in Russia.
“We will be taking over sales responsibility for SEAT over the next few weeks,” Marcus Osegowitch, managing director-Volkswagen Group Rus, tells WardsAuto.
“For the time being SEAT will definitely have to be regarded as a purely import brand,” he says.
“We have no possibility for production (in Russia) from the very outset, meaning the possibilities will be somewhat limited to begin with.”
Osegowitsch says VW believes it can sell 15,000 to 20,000 SEAT vehicles annually in Russia.
