Increasing Seat profits is a big part of Volkswagen’s strategy to be the world’s biggest car manufacturer by 2018, but it’s not an easy task. While the brand is being turned around and sold 340,000 units last year, it also made a loss of 311 million euros. A five year restructuring plan is “the last attempt for Seat as a brand” according to boss James Muir, although sales should increase this year to make a profit subsequently in 2013.

New models to help along the way will be:

• the Seat Ibiza ST launched late 2010
• the new Seat Alhambra
• a 2012 Seat Leon facelift
• a new Seat entry-level model and four-door sedan
• and a major Seat Ibiza facelift

Other growth for the Seat brand is planned as it moves to China - a market expected to help boost sales to 800,000 units a year by 2018. Seat will also have a key role as it builds the new Audi Q3 in Spain at Martorell facilities.

Source | Automotive News

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The Worthersee Tour will see the Skoda Fabia RS+ and Octavia RS+ debut, and will also host seven special versions of the Audi A1. Audi will also take the new A8, RS5, TT restyling, R8 Spyder and GT along to the event, but the highlight will be the A1 special editions.

Three will appear with the 1.4-litre TFSI engine: the ‘Follow Me’ citrus yellow version, the ‘Wasserwacht’ suzuka grey version and the ‘Hot Rod’ Daytona grey. The other four Audi A1 special versions are: ‘FC Bayern’ in Misano red, ‘Pickerljäger’ in Ibis white, ‘Fashion’ in aubergine purple and the ‘Competition Kit’ in Amalfi white famous for the Audi quattro. These four models are equipped with the 1.6 TDI and will have an aerodynamic kit with front spoiler, side skirts, rear diffusor and chrome sports exhaust.

The Skoda models and the Audi A1 special editions will appear alongside two Seat Ibiza ST prototypes and the new Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Audi A1 Wörthersee Tour 2010

Continue reading: Audi A1 at Worthersee with Seat Ibiza, Skoda and Golf GTI

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Here are the first official pics of the Seat Ibiza ST station wagon version. The Ibiza ST will be presented at the 2010 Geneva motor show in March after initially being previewed by way of the IBZ Concept seen at last year’s Frankfurt motor show. The Ibiza ST is 423 cm long, which is 18 cm more on the standard five-door version. The boot has a 430-litre capacity, which can be extended when lowering the rear seats.

The Seat Ibiza ST will have the following petrol engine options: 1.2-litre with 70 hp, 1.4-litre with 86 and the 1.2-litre TSI with 105 hp. Diesels on offer include the 1.6 TDI with 90 and 105 hp and the Ecomotive 1.2 TDI with 75 hp. Optional DSG seven speed gearbox is available, and the Ibiza ST will appear in the Reference, Style and Sport kits. It will appear on the market at the beginning of summer.

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