The dynamic Spanish car maker today confirms its best year here to date, with new car sales of 36,089 in 2011 for an all-time record market share of 1.86% (source: SMMT).

The exceptional performance – which includes an individual all-time best showing from SEAT’s most familiar model – sees the firm’s share of the UK new car market climb almost ten per cent versus 2010, and that in a market which is down by more than four per cent in the last 12 months.

The spectacular sales surge is no fluke, either.  Official SMMT statistics show that the Spanish car maker’s share of the 2011 market is its third consecutive best here, while the sales total of more than 36,000 cars comfortably exceeds SEAT’s previous UK best of 34,790 registrations in 2007.

What’s more SEAT’s December market share of 2.08% easily beats the brand’s previous all-time record for the month of 1.65%.

SEAT’s enviable upward sales trajectory – it has seen consistent growth here since the global economic meltdown of 2008 – continues to defy the uncertain financial climate.

The Ibiza family of SC, 5dr and ST models remains SEAT’s soaraway best-seller, with 19,179 registrations in 2011: an all-time best for the Ibiza in a single year here.

The much-admired Leon five-door family hatch is a proud runner-up in the SEAT UK sales table with 10,714 registrations in 2011.

The luxurious Exeo saloon and ST line-up continues to win fans in increasing numbers, too – 2,735 canny buyers opted for an Exeo saloon or ST in 2011, an increase of almost 12% on its 2010 registrations.

But the stand-out performance of the year must surely be SEAT’s multi award-winning new Alhambra, which almost trebled sales in 2011.  Named MPV of the Year by a plethora of influential UK motoring titles includingWhat Car? and Auto Express over the course of the last 12 months, the impressive seven-seat people carrier also boasts a very healthy bank of orders as 2012 begins.

Strong performances from both its fleet and retail sales operations have contributed to SEAT’s 2011 success – the strongest sales total in the brand’s 26-year history in the UK.

Fleet sales, in particular, ended the year 21% up on their 2010 total – with SEAT’s increasingly well-regarded fleet and business sales team making significant headway in this ultra-competitive sector.

Peter Wyhinny, managing director of SEAT UK, is understandably proud both of the 2011 total, and SEAT’s continuing growth in this country.  He said: ‘The entire SEAT UK team, and our growing network of excellent dealers nationwide, can rightly take great pride in this fabulous achievement.

‘SEAT has an ambitious plan for growth in this country and our performance in 2011 clearly demonstrates that it is firmly on track.

‘I’m thrilled to see so many more new car buyers not only considering SEAT, but actually taking the decision to buy one of our sporty, dynamic and exciting new cars.

‘Now, with the largest product offensive in our history due in 2012 including the debut of the exciting Mii city car, I’m more confident than ever that we can look forward to a prosperous and successful future in the UK.’