Exeo 'will boost awareness of SEAT'

"Our biggest challenge is awareness. We only have 15 per cent spontaneous awareness among the buying public which gives us a great opportunity because it means there is a whole bunch of people out there who haven't heard of us yet," he said.

The launch of Exeo on April 2 and the ST estate version in late summer will help put a new focus on the brand, Mr Wyhinny told headlineauto, describing the car as "an emotional A4".

Although Exeo is based on the previous generation Audi A4, SEAT engineers have found a way of getting the Spanish carmaker's DNA into it. "Exeo has SEAT dynamics which are always at the sporty end of each segment," said Mr Wyhinny.

"It's allowed us to get into the segment very quickly - in less than two years from making the decision - and very cost effectively.

"In the same way that Skoda's Superb has matured, so will the Exeo. It's an important car for us because it gives us something to offer people who have outgrown SEAT," said Mr Wyhinny.

[IMG]http://www.oneshift.com/showroom/uploadimages/resized-20090304160153976.jpg[/IMG]

Credits: JRC