The battery system assembly plant is now operational at the Martorell factory
Seat and Cupra's battery system assembly plant is now operational at the Martorell factory, part of the Volkswagen Group’s overall battery strategy, balancing in-house and third-party cell supply to achieve maximum flexibility while maintaining access to innovations, technologies, and supply chains
The launch of these facilities is an advancement in the company's electrification process for the series production of the Cupra Raval and the Volkswagen ID. Polo from 2026 onwards. In addition, the company has led the Electric Urban Car Family project for the Brand Group Core of the Volkswagen Group, comprising four 100% electric models from three brands, all made in Spain.
Markus Haupt, CEO of Seat and Cupra, said, “The opening of this battery system assembly plant is a turning point in the history of Seat and Cupra. Today, we see how our ambition becomes a reality: we are ready to produce 100% electric Made in Spain cars that will make electric mobility accessible across Europe. Martorell is now the epicentre of the mobility of the future. We are proud to be leading the Electric Urban Car project for the Brand Group Core of the Volkswagen Group and to produce two of the models that will change the rules of the game in electrification, starting with the CUPRA Raval.”
Thomas Schäfer, chair of the Seat and Cupra Supervisory Board, member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Group (Brand Group Core), CEO Volkswagen Brand, said, “Four years ago, we made a historic investment to establish Spain as a key location and European benchmark for electromobility. Today, with the opening of this battery system assembly plant in Martorell, we are beginning a new chapter for the Volkswagen Group, for Spain and for Europe. This project has been made possible thanks to the collaboration between the brands of the Brand Group Core and the Centre of Excellence Battery at Volkswagen Group Technology. It demonstrates that, by working together, we can lead the way towards an electric future in Europe.”
Martorell’s electrification
The battery assembly plant took around two years to build, with an investment of 300 million euros, and can assemble one battery system every 45 seconds, totalling 1200 per day and 300,000 a year.
From 2026, the plant will exclusively supply the production lines of the Cupra Raval and the Volkswagen ID. Polo and transport the battery systems automatically to the assembly workshop. This solution, in combination with 11,000 solar panels on the roof, will provide 70% of the electricity needed for the battery systems assembly process, reducing the carbon footprint.
Günther Mendl, head of the Group’s Centre of Excellence Battery, said, “Right now, we are moving from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat in the core technology of the electric world. The MEB+ battery system assembled at Martorell is fully competitive in all major aspects and a clear leap ahead as we introduce the unified cell, which is not just another battery cell but our global technology platform allowing unprecedented speed, scale, and flexibility across brands, regions, and segments. At the same time, we switch to compact cell-to-pack design and add lithium-iron phosphate as alternative cell chemistry. As we contribute to building the long-needed battery industry in Europe, we achieve less dependency and more grip on tech innovation and cost, making e-mobility still more attractive and affordable.”
