Seat-Cupra sells less, but increases profits in the first quarter
The end of tariffs at Tavascan and cost savings drive results
BarcelonaSeat-Cupra has managed to turn around its results in the first quarter of this year. Despite a decrease in car sales and turnover, the company achieved an operating profit of 43 million euros, 38 million more than in the same period last year, as the company reported this Thursday.
The key to the improvement in results, according to the company, lies in cost reduction as well as the end of tariffs on the Cupra Tavascan model, manufactured in China, following the agreement sealed by the group with the European Commission.
The company improved its operating profit even though revenues were 3,677 million euros, 5.6% less than in the same period of 2025. This positive trend in earnings has been driven by an effective reduction in both product and indirect costs, the company indicates. Furthermore, the European Commission's acceptance of a price commitment for the Cupra Tavascan manufactured in China, which exempts the model from additional EU tariffs since February, has contributed to the company's good results during the quarter.
Cupra sells more than Seat
Global deliveries of Seat and Cupra reached 145,300 units, making it the third best first quarter in the company's history. The Seat brand delivered 65,500 cars, supported by the launch of its updated bestsellers, the Ibiza and Arona.
Cupra continues to outsell Seat. This brand closed the quarter with the delivery of 79,800 vehicles, an increase of 2% compared to the same period last year and a new record for the brand in a first quarter. March has also been Cupra's best sales month in history, with 36,300 deliveries, which strengthens the brand on the eve of the market launch of the new model, the Raval, 100% electric.
The CEO of Seat-Cupra, Markus Haupt, has highlighted that "2026 is a decisive year for Seat and Cupra, and the results of the first quarter confirm that we are on the right track". For the company's chief executive, "this is an important first step in our financial recovery".