SEAT & CUPRA launches a new electric vehicle in Barcelona, reinforcing the city's role as a leading hub for mobility transformation

CUPRA has officially kicked off the global premiere of its new urban electric vehicle with an institutional launch event in Barcelona, highlighting Catalonia’s growing role as a strategic hub for Europe’s next-generation automotive industry.

The event gathered key public and industry leaders, including Salvador Illa, President of the Government of Catalonia, Jordi Hereu, Spain's Minister of Industry and Tourism, and Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona demonstrating strong institutional support for the region’s industrial transformation.

Although the global unveiling will take place in 12 major cities, launching in Barcelona reinforces Catalonia’s leadership in innovation, design, and advanced manufacturing in Europe.

This project is part of a broader industrial shift led by SEAT & CUPRA, placing Catalonia at the forefront of Europe’s move toward sustainable, connected mobility. It also supports the Volkswagen Group’s initiative to develop a new generation of affordable electric urban vehicles in Spain.
 

“We have been working as a team for years to get here, and we are excited that the world can now discover the CUPRA Raval, starting with Barcelona, our home, and where it all began”

Markus Haupt, CEO of CUPRA

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As Markus Haupt stated, "Today is a special day for us. The CUPRA Raval represents much more than a car: it marks the beginning of a new era for our brand and our company. We have been working as a team for years to get here, and we are excited that the world can now discover the CUPRA Raval, starting with Barcelona, our home, and where it all began. The arrival of the CUPRA Raval marks a turning point for the future of mobility in Europe: we are ready to manufacture electric vehicles in Spain, helping make electromobility more accessible and attractive to a new generation of drivers."

Strong public-private commitment to industrial transformation

Catalonia’s leadership emphasized the strategic importance of this milestone for both the regional and European economy.

The President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, highlighted the long-term industrial effort behind this transition: "Today, we take a step forward in democratizing electric mobility with a vehicle made in Catalonia. The CUPRA Raval is the result of many years of effort by SEAT & CUPRA, from design and development to production and launch. This transformation has not been easy for the automotive industry, which is central to Catalonia’s economy, as it adapts to a rapidly changing and highly competitive environment. We cannot depend on fossil fuels; we need electric vehicles powered by renewable energy, and today we are taking a step in that direction."

Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, pointed to the alignment with national industrial policy, "We are marking an important milestone on the path, both fascinating and challenging, toward transforming the automotive industry. The success of this transition to sustainable and connected mobility is undeniable. The CUPRA Raval, manufactured in Martorell, aligns with Government initiatives, such as the Auto+ Program, which supports the purchase of electric, European, and affordable vehicles. This new model democratizes sustainable mobility and strengthens the strategic autonomy we are committed to as a country."

Barcelona: enabling the mobility ecosystem of the future

At the city level, the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni emphasized Barcelona’s role in enabling this transformation: "SEAT & CUPRA have a long-standing connection with the city, from La Marina to Zona Franca, where the automotive industry has played a key role in Barcelona’s development. We are now witnessing a wave of democratization of electric vehicles. Electric mobility means jobs, clean air, sovereignty, and the return on Barcelona’s efforts to electrify the city. We are the leading city in charging infrastructure, and this is exactly what the industry needs: to remove barriers and make charging more accessible, and we are doing so through public initiative."

Beyond its strong manufacturing legacy, Barcelona has evolved into a global hub for innovation and talent, offering clear advantages for companies looking to grow within Europe. Catalonia reinforces this positioning with a solid industrial base and targeted public initiatives—such as the Auto+ Program—that are accelerating the shift toward electric mobility. 

Source: CUPRA