SEAT’s future is already being decided: it might manufacture something very different from its cars in Barcelona.
26/10/2026 17:00
Updated to
26/10/2026 17:00
SEAT could expand its factory in Martorell (Barcelona) beyond automobile production. The Volkswagen Group company has been in talks with Aggity, a Spanish technology firm working on a project to develop drones for civilian and military use. According to published reports, the two companies met last week to discuss how to utilize SEAT’s industrial capacity. The manufacturer has also been in contact with Indra, though it insists that these are merely exploratory meetings at this stage and no approved projects exist yet.
SEAT considers manufacturing drones at its Martorell factory
The possibility of manufacturing drones at one of Spain’s major automobile plants represents a new chapter in discussions between SEAT and the defense industry.
According to a report cited by EuropaPress, the company is exploring a partnership with Aggity, which specializes in technological solutions, digitalization, and artificial intelligence.
The proposal aims to combine SEAT’s experience in large-scale industrial production with the technological capabilities of a consortium led by Aggity.
He has publicly confirmed that the discussions concern drones intended for emergency response, logistics, and defense purposes, so it would not be limited to military applications alone.
The plan involves utilizing Martorell’s manufacturing capacity to produce these devices in series, although the industrial and economic conditions still need to be determined. SEAT emphasizes that the contacts remain technical and exploratory in nature.
Indra has also held talks with SEAT
Aggity is not the only company interested in Martorell’s industrial capabilities. SEAT has also held meetings with Indra, one of Spain’s leading groups specializing in defense and technology.
In this case, the discussions focused on the possibility of manufacturing light military vehicles, leveraging the company’s manufacturing facilities and expertise in automotive production.
However, that project encountered obstacles related to its industrial and economic viability. As reported in early October, the negotiations stalled without reaching a final agreement.
The contacts with both companies reflect public authorities’ interest in exploring new opportunities for collaboration between the automotive and defense sectors.
Martorell plant seeks to utilize its industrial capacity
SEAT and Cupra’s CEO, Markus Haupt, had already acknowledged in June that both the central government and the regional government had contacted the company to explore potential defense-related projects.
This initiative comes as Martorell undergoes significant industrial transformation related to electrification and the growth of CUPRA. In this context, drone manufacturing could represent a complementary activity, although it has not yet been determined how it would fit into the plant’s production schedule.
The automotive industry would need to evaluate factors such as required investments, production volumes, and the specific technical requirements for this type of equipment. SEAT has not confirmed any investments, contracts, or timeline for producing drones.
For now, the main development is that Aggity has joined companies that see Martorell as a potential site for establishing industrial facilities to develop new projects.
If talks progress, the Catalan factory could become an example of diversification within Spain’s automotive industry, leveraging its manufacturing expertise to meet the needs of other technology sectors as well.