By Jamie White – Head of Communications

SEAT is celebrating the handover of an Ibiza as the 500,000th Volkswagen Group UK car to be sold in 2014.

With sales up 19 per cent compared to last year, including a 24 per cent gain in retail alone, the sporty Spanish brand has performed exceptionally well and is the fastest-growing marque of the Group.

The handover took place at Bristol Street Motors SEAT Birmingham, where a local buyer, Nathan Thomas-Robinson, 23, collected the keys to his first brand new car.

Also present on the momentous occasion were Peter Jones, Vertu Motors’ Non-Executive Chairman and the site’s General Manager, Stuart Smith, who were delighted to hand over a bouquet of flowers for Nathan’s girlfriend, as well as a bottle of Spanish cava.

Nathan said: “I just love it. I test drove a five-door version with the same engine and it’s got real pull. It looks great inside and out, with a real feel of quality. I can’t wait to go out in it. I’ve never won, or been given anything either, so I’m really chuffed with the nice little collection of pre-Christmas gifts from the SEAT guys too.”

Handing over the keys, with an envelope containing GAME vouchers for the video game-loving new Ibiza owner, SEAT UK’s Director, Neil Williamson, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be marking the major milestone of half a million Volkswagen Group UK car sales this year by handing over a SEAT.

“British buyers are a discerning bunch, with a keen eye on affordable quality, style, technology and value. The Ibiza, our long standing best-seller, delivers on all those fronts and I’m sure Nathan, and his girlfriend, will enjoy many years of happy Spanish-style motoring in their co-ordinating cars.”

Douglas Stafford works with both the Volkswagen Group and Vertu Motors, providing a bespoke mystery shopping and customer experience programme across the UK, including Telephone Mystery Shopping, Email Mystery Shopping, Report-Based Mystery Shopping and Video Mystery Shopping.