Wayne Griffiths, CEO of Seat and Cupra, will leave the company at his own request on March 31, 2025, to pursue new opportunities, Seat announced. Markus Haupt, Seat’s Chief Production Officer, will take over as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is named.
Griffiths joined Seat as Head of Sales and Marketing in 2016 and assumed the CEO position in 2020, following Luca de Meo.
Under his leadership, Cupra became one of Europe’s fastest-growing car brands, and the launch of the Cupra Born in 2021 marked the brand’s entry into the electric vehicle market.
“Wayne Griffiths has done a great job in building the Cupra brand and restructuring the company,” said Thomas Schäfer, Volkswagen Board member and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Seat and Cupra. “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.”
The leadership change comes as Seat prepares to launch a compact electric car before 2025 and explores potential manufacturing expansion in the United States.
Griffiths’ departure follows his resignation as President of the Spanish Association of Car and Truck Manufacturers (ANFAC) last June, citing dissatisfaction with government support.