Hi, I have registered just to post this warning before people start hacking holes in their seats. I know it is an old post but it still comes up high on search engine lists for people with this problem of the seat not folding forward.

You can perform the same latch release without cutting anything.

Underneath the very back edge of the seat base are a series of screws holding the base section on. Obviously you normally get to them when the seat is tumbled forward and it lifts up.

But, for the purposes of this particular problem, which is to gain access to the latch mechanism in order to release it when it is stuck or the internal cable release isn't functioning properly when you fold the seat down, all you need is a right-angled ratchet with a phillips screw attachment and you can feel underneath with your hand and undo them.

Once those screws are removed you can pull the lip of the base section down and wedge something in to the gap to hold it wide enough to shine a torch through and slide in a long flathead screwdriver.

As so helpfully detailed by the OP, you can then flick the latch mechanism up on both sides and the hooks will release, allowing the seat to tumble forward.