SEAT has created a new strategic business unit to spearhead its growing focus on urban mobility solutions.
The new business unit will integrate all the carmaker’s product, service and platform-based mobility solutions, targeting end users as well as fleets and sharing services, and continuing its work with city and public administration representatives. Its work will also be carried over across other Volkswagen Group brands.
The brand has been increasingly exploring new mobility solutions in line with a clear customer move in this direction. It announced a fortnight ago that it’s launching an electric motorcycle, dubbed the e-Scooter and marking its first motorcycle ever, as it looks to target both private customers and sharing services. And its Cupra division used September’s Frankfurt Motor Show to reveal its eXS Kickscooter. SEAT is also making forays into urban mobility through the Xmoba mobility technology subsidiary and the Respiro car sharing start-up that it acquired in spring 2018.
The launch of the new urban mobility business unit comes less than a month ago after SEAT announced the appointment of Lucas Casanovas to springboard its work here, and will include the SEAT Minimó concept, the electric e-Scooter and the e-Kickscooter concept, including managing the kicksharing service offered by SEAT in partnership with the start-up UFO.
Announcing the new business unit, SEAT also presented a pilot project in collaboration with the Spanish Traffic Authority. Dubbed the DGT 3.0 initiative, this enables cars to communicate with traffic lights and motorway message panels in real time with the main goal of improving traffic flows and road safety, as well as the user experience while driving.
SEAT president Luca de Meo commented: “This strategic business unit will enable us to focus our efforts on the user’s new mobility needs. SEAT is the micromobility centre of competence for the Volkswagen Group, and that means developing purpose-designed products for all the Group’s brands, not only for SEAT. In addition, we will also deliver services and solutions defined to reduce noise, pollution and footprint in the urban areas to improve citizens’ life quality.”
