SEAT has officially launched the new Leon in Mexico as part of plans for international growth.

SEAT has already grown by 8.5% in Mexico during the first four months of 2013, having registered 7,360 vehicles – making it the ninth best-selling brand in the country.

In 2010, SEAT recorded a share of 1.7% in passenger car retail sales in Mexico, selling 13,380 units. That number grew to 18,115 in 2011, and rose further to 21,114 last year, showing a pattern of consistent growth for the brand in the vital territory that is set to continue. SEAT has a network of fifty dealerships in the country, which will increase over the next few months.

These numbers make Mexico SEAT's sixth most important market, and the second most important outside Europe, after Algeria. For the sector as a whole, Mexico is the world's fifteenth most important automotive market, and the third most important in the Americas, behind the US and Brazil. In 2012, Mexican car sales were close on the one million mark.

SEAT has seen strong success with the Ibiza in Mexico and is looking to repeat that success with the new Leon. The five-door Leon will go on sale in Mexico in June, with the SC following towards the end of 2013. Both models will be built at the Barcelona Martorell production plant.

‘We are delighted at the way the brand has been moving,’ said Edgar Estrada, head of SEAT in Mexico. ‘We are confident that the strength of the new Leon will help us continue to grow in Mexico. Our commercial offer is renewed with the Leon, which enables enjoyment of the latest technology and offers great value for money,’ he added.