However, the SEAT Málaga and the Fiat Regata were developed separately as the two manufacturers had already ended their partnership by the time of the launch of their two saloon models.

It largely competed with budget offerings such as the Hyundai Pony and those from Lada, Škoda, Yugo and FSO.

[6] The Málaga sold relatively well in Spain, but was less popular in export markets despite sharing the same System Porsche Powertrain as the SEAT Ibiza.

The Málaga was marketed as the SEAT Gredos in Greece after the Spanish mountain range Sierra de Gredos, because the word Málaga was considered too similar to the ubiquitous Greek swear word malakas.

[7][8] The total production per year of SEAT Málaga vehicles is shown in the following table: