Martin Gray has stepped into the role of national fleet manager for SEAT and Cupra UK.

Martin Gray, national fleet manager for SEAT and Cupra UK

Gray is well versed in the sector, bringing 30 years of automotive industry experience and 18 years in the fleet sector. This includes roles at Mercedes-Benz and Fleet Alliance before joining the Volkswagen Group in 2011.

The role of national fleet manager is Gray’s fourth with the group, following a period of seven years as contract hire & leasing manager for the SEAT and Cupra brands.

In his new position, he will oversee a team of seven fleet experts and aims to deliver SEAT and Cupra brand and product offerings that “continue to challenge the norm in the UK fleet industry”.

Gray said: “I am delighted to be leading a fleet team that has already accomplished so much. My priority is to continue achieving successful results for SEAT, as well as grow awareness of the Cupra brand within our existing customer base, leasing company partners and fleet retailer specialists.

“I am particularly excited to be introducing the 100% electric Cupra Tavascan and the PHEV Cupra Terramar models within the next year, as they will be a gamechanger for our fleet customers.”

Marcus Gossen, director of SEAT and Cupra UK, said: “Martin has great experience within  Volkswagen Group and has played a fundamental role in our fleet department for a number of years.

“We are delighted to see him step into the role of national fleet manager to lead a strong team that is achieving brilliant results.”

Next week will see Cupra debut its updated Leon and Formentor models.

The Formentor crossover is a standalone model for the brand and a best seller – it racked up more than 120,000 deliveries worldwide last year. The updated version will “move from a success story to a new icon” on the back of revamped styling and performance enhancements, including a new design language DNA. Cupra also promises greater digitalisation.

The Cupra Leon – in both five-door hatch guise and as a Sportstourer – will also be redesigned and enhanced.

Plug-in hybrid versions of the Cupra and Formentor will also get performance and electric range boosts thanks to the integration of next-generation eHybrid technology and new sustainability features.

The revitalised Leon and Formentor will be livestreamed in a world premiere on 29 April 2024 at 9.00pm CEST.