On Thursday, September 3, the Spanish newspaper El País reported that Seat, a car brand with a 66-year history, might be on the verge of disappearing. The report referenced a leaked document from the German publication WirtschaftsWoche, which claimed to have accessed a confidential plan for Volkswagen’s supervisory board. The document suggested that Seat is no longer part of Volkswagen’s long-term strategy. Instead, production structures would be optimized and moved to Cupra, a related brand targeting a younger, sportier, and more premium market. According to the leaked plan, no Seat vehicles would be produced by 2029. While Volkswagen has not officially confirmed the leak, the Bild newspaper called the potential decision “shocking,” stating that the brand is being phased out before its time. El País also quoted Seat management, which provided only general comments about the situation. The company stated that Volkswagen is working on a transformation plan to make its operations more efficient and to capitalize on technological advancements. However, they emphasized that no final decision about Seat’s future has been made. Despite this, the uncertainty has caused concern among employees. Eldiario.es reported that Matías Carnero, the head of the UGT union within the Volkswagen group, called the potential end of Seat a “time bomb.” He argued that announcing the brand’s demise years in advance could damage its reputation and image, effectively “killing the brand before its time.” In a separate development, Volkswagen recently closed its plant in Dresden, marking the first such closure in the company’s 88-year history. This move has raised questions about the future of traditional automotive manufacturing within the Volkswagen group. Meanwhile, the broader European automotive industry faces uncertainty as the continent moves away from its earlier goal of transitioning to fully electric vehicles by 2035. Some companies are now exploring opportunities in the military and defense sectors, signaling a shift in focus for the industry. The potential disappearance of Seat and the closure of the Dresden plant highlight the challenges facing traditional automakers as they adapt to changing market demands and technological advancements. These developments underscore the ongoing transformation of the automotive industry, which is grappling with the need to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.