Seat will to take on Ford’s new Mondeo when it launches its own D-segment competitor in the UK.

Seat’s president Erich Schmitt confirmed that the company will enter the premium saloon market in 2009 with two variants: a saloon and an estate.

The new model will be built at the Spanish firm’s Martorell plant, located close to Barcelona.

Schmitt said: “The assignment of these two new models to the plant in Martorell is an historic step for Seat.

“We will be enlarging our current product range, which not only gives our clients the possibility to grow with the brand, but also enables us to increase the profitability of our dealer network thanks to the availability of these new models.”

Seat has not announced a name for its new D-segment car.