Seat's growth in the UK - up 7% this year in a market down 5%- is both balanced and sustainable, said UK boss Peter Wyhinny.

"We now have solid foundations to built the brand and create demand," he added, noting that July's market share of 2.07% was Seat's highest.

Profit in the dealer network is improving and "established dealers are making a good return while the network is keeping its head above water."

Wyhinny, who has been five years at Seat, said that he was excited when he joined "and today I'm even more excited."

That excitement is fuelled by a range of new products due in the next 18 months. First will be Seat's version of the VW Up which will fill a gap left in the line-up since the demise of the Arosa.

"We are always going to be at the sporty end of whatever segment we are in," he promised. The brand needs to be "contemporary and alternative - we don't set out to be mainstream."

And he believes that Seat is "totally acceptable to a brand-conscious audience" citing the example of his own children, now in their 20s, who enjoy driving Seats.