Griffiths confirmed the Cupra Leon would be updated in its present form, which includes internal combustion and plug-in hybrid versions, to allow for production to be extended “well into the next decade”, alongside the closely-related Cupra Formentor.
“The Cupra Leon and Cupra Formentor are both based on the same platform,” said Griffiths. “We will extend those well into the next decade. If we want to go into the next decade, then we’re always going to have to take care of those cars and revitalise them.
“We could expect facelifts or product improvements on both, to keep them going as long as we need to. But after that, the next generation of Leon will definitely be electric.”
Griffiths said the investments in the Ibiza and Arona should not be seen as the Seat/Cupra group backing away from battery electric vehicles, but represents the reality of a “need to respond to the 90% of the market that is asking for other types of drivetrains: efficient [ICE] ones, hybrids and plug-in hybrids”.
He added: “We’re not going to deviate from electrification as a direction. We don’t question the objective of getting to zero emissions as fast as possible. We have to be flexible on the way, and we can’t be dogmatic. We can’t force consumers to drive electric cars.”
The arrival of the Cupra Raval at the end of 2025 as a sub €25,000 electric car, along with sibling models including the Volkswagen ID 2 and Skoda Epiq that Cupra is also developing, would help “democratise electromobility”.
“Having smaller urban electric cars under €25,000 euros, I think we’re going to see electric cars taking off. But in the meantime, we have to offer both [EVs and non EVs].
“We’re looking to have two brands, Cupra clearly focusing on fully electric and electrified, and Seat focusing on combustion. I think we have the best of both worlds currently.”
