Seat and Cupra chief executive Wayne Griffiths resigns

Seat and Cupra global chief executive Wayne Griffiths has resigned from the company “at his own request to pursue new challenges”.

Manchester-born Griffiths left the business on March 31 but had been leading the brands for nearly five years.

Markus Haupt, Seat executive vice-president production & logistics, will assume interim leadership of the company, with a successor to be announced at a later date.

In a statement, VW Group said he played a “decisive role in shaping the development of the Cupra brand.

“Under his leadership, Cupra became an independent brand within VW Group and is now one of the fastest growing car brands in Europe”.

A significant milestone during his tenure was the market launch of the brand's first all-electric model, the Cupra Born, in 2021.

Griffiths has been with VW Group for many years, leading sales and marketing at Seat before taking on the CEO role. Before that, he held executive positions at Audi.

Thomas Schäfer, member of the board of management of Volkswagen AG, core marque group & CEO of the Volkswagen marque and chairman of the supervisory board of Seat and Cupra, said: “Wayne Griffiths has done a great job in building the Cupra brand and restructuring the company.

“His understanding of the brand is remarkable.

“He is, in the best sense, a true car guy.

“We thank him for his excellent contribution and wish him all the best for the future.”