Motoring costs rise by 5.8 per cent in the last year

Thu, Aug 11, 2011

The cost of running a family car in Ireland has risen by 5.8 per cent in the last 12 months, according to the AA's annual survey of motoring costs. It now costs €11,817 to run a small family car in the Band C tax category (typical engine size of 1251 – 1500cc) for a year; up by €646 on the figure for 2010.

Ford junior makes historic visit to Ireland

Thu, Aug 11, 2011

Last week, William Clay (Bill) Ford jr, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company and great-grandson of its founder Henry Ford, unveiled a plaque at Ballinascarthy, Co Cork, commemorating the Ford family’s connection with the village.

BMW previews two new i badged green concepts

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

BMW has revealed two new concept cars, with both wearing their new i badge which highlights their green credentials.The BMW Group has showcased its visions of future mobility with the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept studies.

Irish car prices show third biggest drop in Eurozone

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

The European Commission’s latest car price report shows that real car prices (price change set against inflation) in Ireland fell by 5.7 per cent in 2010. This is the third biggest drop in the Eurozone and well above the -1.5 per cent eurozone average. Car prices fell in almost every EU country in 2010. Taking all EU countries together, the average drop in car prices is 2.5 per cent in real terms in 2010. List prices for new cars also converged slightly. These long-term price trends support the Commission's decision last year that specific competition rules for the sale of new cars are no longer justified.

"It is good to see that consumers in Europe are benefiting from competition in the markets for new car sales and continue to enjoy significantly falling prices in real terms. The fact that price differentials between member states narrowed further is a positive indicator of cross-border competition. I am also delighted to see that for the first time in a decade, real EU-wide prices for repair and maintenance services stopped increasing, a sign that the sector has understood the new rules of the game," said Joaquín Almunia, Commission vice president in charge of competition policy.

Two millionth Suzuki rolls off the line in Hungary

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

The two millionth Hungarian-made Suzuki recently rolled off the production line.

The ceremony did not just celebrate the two million vehicles landmark, it also commemorated another anniversary, namely that the company was founded 20 years ago.

First sight of next generation Honda CR-V

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

Here is the first view of the new Honda CR-V Concept, which gives a glimpse of their new styling direction. The all-new, fourth-generation CR-V is set to go on sale in Europe in just over a year, after it debuts in the United States at the end of this year.

Renault reveals new Twingo in pink

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

Renault has revealed the first image of its new Twingo. It is the first mass production vehicle to be inspired by the Renault brand’s new design identity.

Citroen launches contract service packages

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

Citroen Ireland can now offer customers a selection of service contracts across its full passenger and commercial vehicle range. Designed to provide customers with reassurance and peace of mind motoring, Citroen will offer customers a choice of three service contracts, each it says, with distinct advantages to the customer.

For example the entry level service contract is called EssentialDrive. In the case of a Citroen C3 or DS3 model, for a once off payment of €99, the package extends the manufacturers warranty to 36 months or 45,000 kilometres. In addition, to the third year manufacturer warranty, customers also get Citroen assistance.

Twenty eight per cent of men simply will not ask for directions

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

Men declare themselves to be better map-readers than women and are far less likely to ask for directions, according to a survey of some 13,000 Irish motorists carried out by the AA.

Toyota named number one in global green brands

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

Toyota has been named as the greenest brand in the first best global green brands report published by Interbrand brand consultancy agency. The study takes into account publicly available information on a brand’s environmental performance coupled with the public’s perception of the brand’s environmental sustainability, or green image, to produce the report’s green performance score.

New Civic built for comfort and versatility

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

Honda boasts that its ninth generation Civic is more confident, clever, and versatile. It makes its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Honda says that the new Civic hatchback will offer stand-out looks combined with class-leading space for passengers and luggage – and will continue to deliver peace of mind with low running costs, through Honda’s famed and unparalleled reliability.

Driver support for speed cameras remains high

Thu, Aug 04, 2011

Irish motorists are still strongly in favour of speed cameras, and that support has strengthened since the new cameras were introduced, according to a new AA poll.

Audi’s new compact SUV due here in October

Thu, Jul 28, 2011

The new Audi Q3 is the premium German carmaker’s first foray into the premium SUV segment. The order book opens late in August for what is the third Q-model in the series.

Keep an eye out for four-legged pedestrians

Thu, Jul 28, 2011

Not so lucky rabbits are the most common road-kill after pets, and the AA is reminding motorists driving on rural routes this summer to keep an eye out for all creatures great and small.

Its latest motor insurance poll reveals that approximately four out of 10 drivers in Ireland have run over a pet or other non-domesticated animal at some point while driving.

Ford Focus battles Volkswagen Golf for top slot

Thu, Jul 28, 2011

Based on the latest figures, the Ford Focus looks set to win the title of Ireland’s favourite car again.

Ford promoting special Transit sales offer

Thu, Jul 28, 2011

Ford Ireland has announced a special package on the best-selling Ford Transit range designed to keep operating costs to a minimum for van owners and operators over the life of the vehicle.

Additional tolls will erode competitiveness

Thu, Jul 28, 2011

A proposed eight new toll locations which may be introduced on Irish roads will erode competitiveness, according to the Irish Road Haulage Association.

New look Toyota Hilux for 2012

Thu, Jul 28, 2011

Toyota’s “indestructible” Hilux has a new look and new hi-tech features for 2012.

EU crackdown on driver traffic offences abroad

Thu, Jul 28, 2011

Drivers will be punished for traffic offences they commit abroad, including the four "big killers" causing 75 per cent of road fatalities - speeding, breaking traffic lights, failure to use seatbelts, and drink driving - following a vote in the European Parliament on Wednesday.

European Commission vice president Siim Kallas, responsible for transport, said: "The four big killers that include speeding and drunk driving are still responsible for thousands of needless deaths on Europe's roads, and each death shatters a family's life. We know that a foreign driver is three times more likely to commit an offence than a resident driver. These new rules should have a powerful deterrent effect and change behaviour. Many people still seem to think that when they go abroad the rules no longer apply to them. My message is that they do apply and now we are going to apply them."

Do we need a big Cadillac hybrid SUV in Europe?

Thu, Jul 21, 2011

Cadillac tells us its Escalade hybrid will be sold in Europe with an eight-year or 160,000 kilometre warranty on some specific hybrid components.

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