- BENCHMARK PLANT FOR VOLKSWAGEN GROUP IN EUROPE
- BUILT IN 34 MONTHS, ALMOST 1.5 BILLION EUROS INVESTED
- SECOND-GENERATION IBIZA AND CORDOBA FIRST MODELS TO ROLL OFF ASSEMBLY LINE
- SEAT BUILT ALMOST 8 MILLION VEHICLES IN MARTORELL, WHERE 11,500 PEOPLE EMPLOYED MARTORELL
Martorell, 21/02/2013.- SEAT is celebrating. Tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of the official opening of the Martorell production facility, a milestone in Spanish industry on account of its ground-breaking technology and labour systems. Prior to the inauguration of the Martorell factory, the company’s manufacturing capacity was concentrated in the Zona Franca (Barcelona), which opened its doors in 1950 and built the first vehicle, the 1400, in 1953.
On February 22nd 1993, King Juan Carlos I unveiled the plaque commemorating the official opening, in the presence of the then new Chairman of the Volkswagen Group Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, today Chairman of the Supervisory Council. Martorell became one of the most modern car production facilities in Europe.
The second-generation Ibiza and the Cordoba were the first models to roll of the production line, at the rate of 1,500 units a day in December that year, ending with an annual total of 140,275 cars. Over the past 20 years, almost 8 million cars of a range of 32 models have come out of the Martorell facility – starting with the first-generation Toledo, then the Inca van, Arosa, Altea or Exeo, right up to the stunningly new Leon. Currently in Martorell, SEAT manufactures all three versions of the Ibiza, the new Leon, the complete Altea family, Exeo, Exeo ST and the Audi Q3. In the Zona Franca of Barcelona, the company still uses part of the original factory infrastructure to create stamped bodywork parts.
“Throughout its twenty-year history, Martorell has become increasingly advanced. Thanks to continuous investment in technology and a highly qualified team, we have improved quality to perfection, both in products and processes”, says Dr. Andreas Tostmann, Vice-President for Production at SEAT.
Martorell manufactures for SEAT as well as for other Volkswagen Group brands. Between 1995 and 2003 it built four versions of the VW Polo and Caddy, and in 2011 began production of the Audi Q3, the first premium car manufactured in Spain.
From just-in-time to sustainable logistics
SEAT’s Martorell production facility is a competitive, flexible industrial complex covering three million square metres, the equivalent of 400 football fields, and was built in just 34 months.
The necessary investment amounted to 244.5 billion pesetas – almost 1.5 billion euros at today’s prices. Designed from the very start for implementation of just-in-time production, it has today completed the logistical circle with two internal railway lines. One is for the reception of goods and the other to transport finished vehicles. Together they save 2,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of 57,000 truck trips a year.
Backbone of the economy
Over the past 20 years, SEAT cannot be fully understood without Martorell, nor can the Spanish automotive sector be understood without SEAT. In 1993 an entire suppliers’ estate was created, initially with 20 companies. Today SEAT’s multiplying effect on the economy carries great weight. It is Spain’s number one vehicle manufacturer, exports 85% of its production and provides direct employment for 11,500 workers at Martorell, and indirect activity for 46,000 persons. Sixty per cent of SEAT’s suppliers are Spanish.
Did you know…?
The five most-produced models at Martorell* are:
- Ibiza II: 1,515,946 units from 1992 to 2002
- Ibiza III: 1,172,504 units from 2001 to 2009
- Ibiza IV: 801,538 units from 2007 to present.
- Cordoba I: 783,547 units from 1993 to 2002
- Leon II: 675,369 units from 2004 to 2012
*until 31/12/12
Number of robots in factory: 2,883
From initial manufacture at the presses to final shipment, each vehicle travels 12 km.
More information:
Text and photograph by: SEAT.
