Seat says ‘VAT hike? What VAT hike?’
Spanish car maker SEAT is bringing some welcome Latin excitement to the post-Christmas gloom with news that it is extending and refreshing its successful VAT-free offer.
While the TV and papers may be full of ominous reports about the Government’s increase in VAT to 20%, SEAT is happy to share some good news with the nation’s car buyers: its VAT-free deals are continuing well into 2011.
With the consumption tax now running at its highest level since its introduction in the UK in 1973 (when it debuted at ten per cent) SEAT is happy to help insulate new car buyers from the latest increase.
Extending across much of the exciting and sporty SEAT line-up, the VAT-free offer is now complemented by a new ½ VAT deal that amounts to a ten per cent discount off a further tranche of sleek SEATs.
And with a third, tempting, offer in the shape of 0% finance deals on a selection of new SEATs there really has never been a better time to pop into your local SEAT showroom.
Customers keen to check full details of the deals are encouraged to log on to seat.co.uk however in summary, starting with SEAT’s biggest seller the svelte Ibiza SC and 5dr, the VAT-free offers apply to 1.4 Chill and 1.4 85 PS petrol models while all other versions (excluding the entry level cars) benefit from the new ½ VAT discount.
Meanwhile all versions of the third ‘silhouette’ in the Ibiza line-up, the shapely yet capacious Ibiza ST, enjoy the VAT-free deal.
Moving up the size range into the Leon family-sized five-seat hatch, VAT-free deals apply to S Emoción and all petrol models (excluding entry and Cupra R versions) while Cupra R and all diesel models (excluding entry and S Emoción versions) benefit from the new ½ VAT discount.
New car buyers in the market for roomy and flexible family transport should look no further than the Altea or even larger Altea XL, all of which are being offered with either VAT-free or ½ VAT deals. Likewise, the luxurious, elegant Exeo and Exeo ST get VAT-free, or ½ VAT offers.
Finally, all versions of the exceptional – and exceptionally popular – new Alhambra full-size seven-seat MPV get the ½ VAT discount which effectively brings the newly-increased Value Added Tax down to its original 1973 level of ten per cent.
The new suite of offers will run throughout the first quarter of 2011, ending 31 March this year, and applies to eligible retail customer cars registered before this date.
The retail campaign is also available to small fleet customers (sub-25 cars) who buy their vehicles outright.
Explaining the decision to extend and enhance the successful VAT offers, SEAT UK Head of Operations Richard Harrison said: ‘The exceptional success of our VAT offer towards the end of 2010 meant we were understandably keen to continue the momentum into 2011.
‘Our dealers up and down the country have been busier than ever and now, with the announcement of these great new retail offers, I’m sure they can look forward to a fantastic start to the New Year.’
He added: ‘The ongoing sales success of SEAT in the UK is built first and foremost on the sporty, dynamic, practical and luxurious nature of our cars but the move to make our models even more appealing with these great deals can only serve to support our growing success here.’
