30 April 2001: Tenneco Automotive, the world leading manufacturer of ride control systems, has introduced a new range of shock absorbers for 4x4 vehicles - the Monroe Adventure. Full story.


New Mercedes cars launched here

27 April 2001: Two brand-new Mercedes-Benz cars and a revamped one were launched in Ireland yesterday, amid predictions that the total sales of M-B cars in the country will reach 5,800 for 2001. Full story.


Fiat, GM, studying common platform

27 April 2001: Fiat and partner GM are studying the creation of a common platform for medium to large cars.

Fiat Auto chief executive Roberto Testore said the common platform would be used for some Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Saab models and the two companies have begun a project to identify synergies in components and systems.

Testore said a common platform would reduce costs and increase quality while still being able to maintain the individual characteristics of each model.

Fiat and GM recently announced they were looking at the possibility of sharing basic engine components.


More Americans using mass transit

27 April 2001: A greater proportion of Americans are using public transportation, according to federal statistics on 2000.

The number of trips on mass-transit systems increased by 3.5 percent to 9.4 billion, while the number of miles driven by motorists remained unchanged at 2.7 trillion miles.

The number of passengers using public transit was at the highest level since 1959.


Citroën launch C5 in Ireland

26 April 2001: Citroen franchisees Gallic Distributors are expecting to sell 2,000 units of the new C5 in a full year, and 1,000 during the remainder of 2001, according to sales and marketing director Paul Cregan (pictured above with Gallic’s managing director James Wyse).

The company is aiming for 7% penetration of the Mondeo/Passat/Laguna segment with the new car, which replaces the Xantia (and also the larger segment XM for the moment). Full story.


Suzuki to offer 5-year warranty in US

26 April 2001: Suzuki in the US is to borrow from a Chrysler idea of the 70s - and used more recently by Hyundai and Kia in the US - and introduce a five-year/50,000-mile warranty system, as part of a plan to boost buyer confidence. The company has an eventual aim to more than triple sales in the world's biggest car market, to 160,000 vehicles or 1% of the market. Full story.


Mondeo gets 21 UK awards

26 April 2001: The new Ford Mondeo has enjoyed more critical acclaim in the UK in its first six months on sale than any previous Ford model - including the Ford Focus, which is now officially the world's best selling car. Full story.


Sexy roadster is also most colourful

25 April 2001: It's charming, sexy and stunningly successful. Now Mazda's MX-5 roadster is also the most colourful, according to the Japanese Fashion Colour Association. Full Story.


Millstreet dealer retains title

25 April 2001: Coleman's of Millstreet in Co Cork have won for the second year in a row the Fiat Auto Ireland customer service award. The award, inaugurated in 1999, is only in its second year.
Full Story.


'Relentless' engineers responsible for Lexus wins

25 April 2001: The recent 'clean sweep' of the Top Gear J D Power survey in the UK has been attributed to the company's engineers following the Lexus Credo: 'the relentless pursuit of perfection'.

So says Lexus Ireland's general manager Mark Teevan, adding that it proves that the credo is much more just a marketing strap line. Full Story.


Daewoo offers three-tier deal

25 April 2001: Daewoo has launched a three-tier 'scrappage' offer, to run for a limited period.

In the scheme, Daewoo dealers will offer £1,500 on 'scrappage' value cars against a new Matiz, £2,000 against a new Lanos, and up to £3,000 on some Leganza models.

The new cars also have three years' free scheduled servicing, three years' RAC membership and a three-year warranty.


Jaguar X-Type's Irish prices announced

24 April 2001: Jaguar's new X-TYPE, the latest and smallest car from the top car maker, will have a starting price in Ireland of £36,100 ex-works, irishcar.com can reveal.

It will go on sale here towards the end of May and there will be a 2.5-litre V6 as well as a 3-litre version. Equipment levels will be high and four-wheel-drive is standard on all versions, creating a first in this compact executive sector. Full Story.


'Substandard' road signage slammed by RAC Ireland

24 April 2001: Inferior driver testing procedures and the proliferation of substandard signage in this country have been slammed by the director of RAC Ireland, Robert Taylor.

Commenting on the results of a recent RAC survey in the UK which found a majority of motorists unable to correctly identify road signs, Taylor suggested 'even worse results' could be expected from a similar survey in Ireland. Full story.


Theory test for driving licence

24 April 2001: All applicants for provisional driving licences will have to pass a computerised theory test before getting their licences. According to Environment Minister of State Bobby Molloy, the test will include the rules of the road, hazard awareness, risk perception and good driving behaviour.

A more stringent driving test is also on the cards, with the Department of the Environment taking notice of a warning from the Comptroller and Auditor General that a uniform standard was not being applied in testing.

Currently, some 43% of learners fail the test on their first try and more than a third of these fail on their second try.

A quarter of the country's 1.5 million drivers hold only provisional licences.


Troopers make all-terrain ambulances

24 April 2001: The Order of Malta in County Kildare will shortly be taking delivery of three new all-terrain emergency ambulances which have been converted from new Isuzu Troopers. Full Story.


Fiat responds to engine speculation

24 April 2001: Media speculation about General Motors engines being fitted in Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia cars has prompted Fiat to issue a statement to clarify what it describes as 'misconceptions' arising from the formation of the 50/50 joint-venture company called FIAT-GM Powertrain. Full Story.


Ford introduces multi-media package to Galaxy

23 April 2001: Ford has introduced a new in-vehicle Multimedia Entertainment System in Ireland as an option on the Galaxy Ghia. This system enables rear seat passengers to enjoy videos, DVDs and games on individual screens while travelling. As one passenger plays a video game, another can watch their favourite movie. Ideal for long distance journeys, it will keep adults and children amused for hours. Full Story.


'Joy machine' is top used choice

23 April 2001: Honda's fun-filled HR-V is the number one choice of sports utility vehicle for used car buyers. That's the verdict of best-selling motoring weekly, Auto Express, which has announced the results of its 2001 Used Car Honours. Full Story.


Audi launches world's most powerful production saloon

23 April 2001: For the first time since 1932, an Audi will be powered by a 12-cylinder petrol engine which will write it into the record books as the world's most powerful production saloon. The 6-litre, 48-valve unit has a unique 'W' cylinder layout and a 420bhp power output, and creates a new flagship A8 model - the A8 L6 quattro - which goes on sale in Germany this month costing the equivalent of Stg£70,000. Full Story.


IrishCar.Com opens Environmental Section

23 April 2001: A new Environmental Section of IrishCar.Com, Ireland's most comprehensive motoring website, is dedicated to news about the environment, particularly as it relates to cars and motoring.

The new section will provide coverage of initiatives, surveys, research and straight-up facts about the impact of industry and travel on the delicate fabric of our small blue planet, as well as detailing how the world's automakers are working to lessen the effects of cars on the overall equation. Full Story.


Land Rover Kalahari debuts in New York

19 April 2001: Land Rover has launched a new 'Kalahari' vehicle series at the New York International Automobile Show as a version of the 2002 Land Rover Discovery Series II.

The vehicle goes on sale in October of this year in the US, and is the first in a series of special Kalahari Land Rovers that will feature heavy-duty, off-road components and a rugged, extreme look. Full Story.


Toyota builds millionth car in UK

19 April 2001: Toyota recently celebrated the one millionth car produced in its plant in Burnaston, UK. Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) began European production in December 1992. The half-million production mark was reached in 1998. Now, three years later, the one millionth Toyota car has rolled off the production line. The company also recently announced a further increase in production at TMUK. Full Story.


Skoda sponsors schools driving programme

19 April 2001: Skoda has become the latest sponsor of a young people’s driving programme which has already been availed of by 150 schools in the country.

The ‘Think Awareness’ programme for Transition Year students devised by rally driving champion Rosemary Smith (pictured above with Skoda Ireland's sales manager Colin Sheridan) over the past five years is supported by the garda siochana, AA, the National Safety Council and Allianz Insurance Group. Full Story.


New Clio here in July

18 April 2001: Renault will launch their new Clio here in July 2001, complete with a dramatic new front end look. Full Story.


New Almera best seller

18 April 2001: The new Nissan Almera is the best selling car in Ireland this year according to the latest figures released by SIMI.

Over 4,112 customers have bought an Almera in the first three months of this year alone. Full Story.


Skoda expects to increase Irish market share

17 April: Skoda Ireland expects to increase its market share in Ireland further this year from its current year-to-date situation of 2.3%. So says sales manager Colin Sheridan, who believes that figure could reach 2.5% when things are balanced up at the end of the year.

He was speaking at the pan-European launch of the new Skoda Fabia Sedan, due to arrive in Ireland in May and sell from roughly £10,500. Only 600 units will be available to Ireland for the rest of the year, though more than twice that are planned for 2002.

The Fabia Sedan is expected to account for more than half of all Fabia sales. Platform and engines and three trim levels - Classic, Comfort and Elegance - are shared with the hatchback and the Combi versions. JR Full Story.


Mazda Tribute gets top crash test points

17 April: Mazda's Tribute SUV and its stablemate Ford Escape (which will be marketed here as the new Maverick) both achieved top 5-star ratings in front-impact tests in the latest US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration passenger safety crash tests.

The front-impact tests measure the effect of a 35 mile-per-hour crash on dummies in the driver and front-passenger seats. Side-impact tests measure the impact of a 38.5-mph collision on a driver and a rear passenger.

Among 10 vehicles examined in the latest side-impact crash tests, the Audi TT convertible won the only five-star rating, for the driver side. TW


Ralf wins the San Marino

15 April: It was the ‘little brother’s’ day. Ralf Schumacher won the San Marino GP in Imola, his first Grand Prix win in the 70th F1 race of the German driver's career. David Coulthard came in second and Ruben Barrichello won the third place on the podium. Full Story.


UK BMW MINI prices announced

14 April: 14 April 2001: Prices have been announced in the UK for the two BMW MINI models due to go on sale there in June. MINI One will have an on-the-road price of Stg£10,300 and MINI Cooper will be available on the road at Stg£11,600. Built in Oxford, MINI goes on sale in Britain two months before anywhere else in the world. Both versions will be powered by 1.6-litre engines. Full Story. JR


Jordan to challenge at San Marino

SAN MARINO: 13 April: "We’ve scored points in each of the first three races", commented Eddie Jordan, chief executive of the Jordan team in advance of this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix. "And it’s the hard work and commitment of the entire team at Jordan and Honda that has made this possible.

"We’ve worked hard with Honda over the last few weeks to resolve some of the early season hitches and feel confident that Jordan will continue to be a strong challenger to the top teams". Full Story.


Lexus and Toyota at top of UK J D Power survey

13 April 2001: The upmarket Lexus arm of Toyota headed the field in both the company and individual categories of the latest J D Power survey of car owners in Britain. The owners of two- and three-year-old cars was carried out by the JD Power information marketing company and BBC Top Gear magazine. Nearly 29,000 respondents were asked for their opinions under four categories: quality and reliability, vehicle appeal, ownership costs, and dealer service. Full Story.


Traffic problem 'more urgent than crime' - SFA

13 April 2001: This week’s IrishCar.Com car commuter survey findings have been backed up by another survey from the Small Firms Association which says traffic is the principal problem facing the country, more urgent even than crime.

On the eve of what the association calls ‘Gridlock Holiday’ its survey of manufacturing, distribution, retail and services companies, shows that millions of hours are being lost each year for people and goods in transport. Full Story.


Racing Ka revs up Ford baby's image

12 April 2001: Ford has unleashed a Racing version of the Ka, bringing to its baby car range a high-powered addition a la Racing Puma.

It makes some sort of sense, as both the Puma and the Ka share basic underpinnings with the Fiesta platform, and hot Ka is likely to appeal to younger boy (and girl) racers who don't want the overspeeded image the Puma provides, not to mention the racing circuit ride. Full Story.


New rain tyres from Uniroyal for Irish weather

10 April 2001: Uniroyal has introduced two rain tyres specifically designed to provide maximum grip on slippery surfaces. The Rallye 680 (below) targets the safety-conscious family motorist, while the Rainsport 1 (left) is geared towards drivers of luxury and performance cars. Both tyres feature new directional tread patterns, for quick and effective displacement of water.

Figures from Met Eireann indicate average rainfall in Ireland has increased by 20% over the past three decades. Full Story.


Demand exceeds build for Alfa 147

10 April 2001: Alfa Romeo Ireland is having difficulty getting enough 147 cars to meet demand, according to the company's press spokesman Joe Gantly.

This situation mirrors the overall European experience, where there were a total of 70,000 orders for the European Car of the Year at the end of March, with just 27,000 cars delivered.

The 5-door version is scheduled for production for Ireland in July, but pressures on the overall building system has the Irish importers keeping their fingers crossed. Some 50,000 of the overall orders in Europe are for the 5-door version


Audi A2 now available in turbodiesel

9 April 2001: Audi’s all-aluminium bodied A2 is now available in Ireland with a 1.4-litre turbodiesel engine, extending the range from the 1.4-litre petrol version.

The td’s output is 75bhp, similar to that of the petrol car, and it is priced at £18,790 as against £17,295 for the petrol.

Common equipment across the range includes ABS, central locking, electric front windows as well as 15” wheels. BB


Four in five motoring commuters leave home earlier

9 April 2001: Over 78% of motoring commuters in Ireland now leave for work up to 30 minutes earlier than they did 12 months ago in order to try and get to work on time.

And almost 86% of respondents to an IrishCar.Com commuter survey said their journey times had jumped by up to half an hour in the same period.

9 April 2001: Suzuki has sold its 2 millionth Jimny 4x4 (also known as Samurai in other markets).

The car is powered here by a 1.3-litre petrol engine at a price of £13,520, and is fully off-roadable. Along with the Grand Vitara, the two 4x4s account for half of Suzuki’s sales. Suzuki holds a 10% share of the 4x4 market here. BB


'Risk-free' commercial vehicle rental in Ireland

9 April 2001: A commercial vehicle rental operation which already has 35,000 vehicles running in the UK has set up operations in Ireland.

Northgate Vehicle Hire has located its first hire site outside Britain in Rathcoole, Co Dublin, under the direction of Trim-born Peter Millen (pictured above with sales manager Paul O'Brien). The business offers a risk-free rental service to businesses whose varying needs make normal fleet management difficult and expensive. Full Story.


Renault manages growth in downed market

6 April 2001: Renault - which recently introduced its Laguna II to positive reception - was the only Irish distrubutor in the top ten marques to show a growth in sales during the month of March, which showed an overall 29.5% drop on the same month last year. Sales for the first three months of the year are overall down by 23% against the same period in 2000, to 79,518 compared to 104,184. Full Story.


New MD of Ford in Ireland

6 April 2001: Ford Motor Company Limited has announced the appointment of Eddie Murphy as Managing Director of its Irish subsidiary Henry Ford & Son Limited. Most recently Sales Director, Eddie (44) has held all senior operating positions within Ford since joining in 1979, as well as working in sales and marketing for Ford in both Europe and Britain.

A native of Cork, he is a graduate of UCC with a B Comm and H Dip and became a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in 1982.

Eddie succeeds Eddie Nolan in a week when Ford was confirmed as the No. 1 car brand in the country for the first three months of the year, with 8,881 units registered.

Married to Sheila, he has two teenage children, Colm (15) and Anita (13). CH


Fiat re-enters 800kgs light van market in Ireland

	J C Canavesio, LCV brand manager Fiat Auto Ireland, with company CE Nicola Greco, at yesterday's launch of the new Fiat Doblo light van.

5 April 2001: Fiat have launched their new entrant to the 800kgs light van market in Ireland, the Doblo Cargo, putting up a very direct competitor to the established vans in this sector - Renault’s Kangoo, VW’s Caddy, SEAT’s Inca, Citroen’s best-selling Berlingo, Peugeot’s Partner, Ford’s Courier and Opel’s Combi.

Fiat Auto Ireland chief executive Nicola Greco said yesterday that the company expects to sell 750 units in the remainder of this year, and is aiming for 8.6% of the market in 2002 with a projected 1,100 sales.

He said the LCV market is staying strong in Ireland, reflecting the growth of the economy in recent years, with a 7% growth expected this year and a further 5% next year to around 45,000 units.

The 800kg (1B) segment represents 32% of all LCV sales in Ireland and will itself grow 9% this year and 6% next year, he added. That makes the segment size worth some 12,000 units for 2002.

“We have not had a presence in this segment for a long time, and it gives our dealers the chance for extra sales,” he said.

The Doblo is powered by 1.9-litre diesel engine, and comes with a list of accessory options ranging from a folding rear ramp (above) to a large roof rack. Variations of rear door designs are just one of a number of options available to buyers, and there is also a body kit ands allow wheels to customise the vehicle.

The van has a 625kgs payload, and a 3.2 cubic meter volume capacity (right), both greater than in rivals Kangoo and Berlingo. It comes in two specification levels, the higher SX of which includes double sliding rear doors and a CD deck, as well as height-adjustable seat and steering wheel. Driver’s airbag, electric windows and central locking are standard throughout the range.

The prices for the Doblo Cargo are £9,500 and £9,990. No decision has been made about bringing in the car version available in Italy and the UK. BB


UK extends grant-aid to Prius hybrid

5 April 2001: The UK Government offered £1,000 grants for each of 550 Toyota Prius hybrid cars sold up to the end of March of this year. Following the sale of the initial first quota of 200 Toyota Prius cars in Britain, the government initiative to kick-start interest in clean-fuel vehicles earmarked a further £1,000 grant each for the next 350 to be sold.

According to Jonathan Murray, Head of TransportAction PowerShift, the initiative shows increasing awareness of the advantages such a vehicle can offer over conventional cars.

“Prius produces remarkably low emissions and with PowerShift's role of promoting clean fuel vehicles the additional funding was used to make Prius an even more attractive proposition for consumers,” he said.

In Ireland, the Government has provided for a rebate of half the VRT on every Prius sold. Toyota Ireland expect some 50 to be sold in the country this year. BB


US carmakers improve quality

5 April 2001: The Big Three American carmakers have come on in leaps and bounds when it comes to quality, a new report finds. But they still have a bit of catching up to do on the Japanese, it claims.

Cars made by Ford, GM and Chrysler have far fewer squeaks, rattles and broken parts than they did 20 years ago. And the Big Three as they are known are making rapid strides to improve quality still further, according to Consumer Reports magazine.

However, it says they still have twice as many problems as vehicles from Japanese automakers, The magazine reviewed 20 years of data generated from annual surveys returned by about 500,000 subscribers. It found that overall quality - measured as problems per 100 vehicles - had improved dramatically.

In 1980, the average trouble rate for all vehicles sold in the US was 88 problems per 100; by 2000, that had plumetted to 20 per 100.

European automakers had 20 problems per 100 vehicles.

Ford has adopted a quality improvement programme, where hundreds of employees are assigned to fix problems throughout the company. GM has a similar program in place.

Chrysler has taken a different tack, setting up what amounts to a morgue near company headquarters for thousands of broken vehicle parts replaced under warranty. The automaker collects and sorts the parts, then reviews the problems with suppliers to spot trends and make changes.

Two-thirds of the problems found in the J.D. Power owner satisfaction surveys can be traced to engineering or design flaws. About 30 percent come from manufacturing. CFC


VW trying to decide on Microbus production

4 April 2001: VW bosses in Germany are still trying to decide if the folk-celebrated Volkswagen 'Camper Van' could be about to make a real return.

They’re analysing reaction to the concept Microbus shown at both the Detroit and Geneva (above) motor shows this year. The vehicle follows in the footsteps of the original 'flower-power' transporter from the '70s.

The new Microbus was designed in California and has three rows of seats, the middle row of which can be swung 180 degrees. There are seven TV/video screens and a back seat that turns into a table.

If allowed production, the Microbus will be powered in the US by a 3.2-litre V6 engine, developing 231bhp and putting the power on the road through a 5-speed Tiptronic gearbox.

It’s a long way - and will probably be a much greater price - from the 1.6-litre aircooled 'pop-top' made famous by James Michener’s ‘Caravans’ in 1962. Which begs the question ... which came first, the novel or the Hippiemobile?

Certainly, the seven TV screens don’t have the same romanticism as a guitar. BB


Mazda rolling out three new models

4 April 2001: Mazda has previewed new versions of its 121, 323 and 626 to journalists recently as part of a programme to rejuvenate the brand. All three are bigger than the current versions.

The 626 looks rather like the MX Sport Tourer concept car shown at Geneva (right) and is due for launch next summer, in saloon, hatch and wagon form. Engines are expected to include a 2.3-litre four and a 3-litre V6. It sits on a new chassis complete with a double wishbone front and mutli-link rear suspension, which will eventually be used for the next Ford Mondeo.

The new 121 will share its platform with Ford's upcoming new Fiesta. It is tall and upright and will be powered by a choice of 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6-litre four-cylinder engines through either a manual or CVT automatic transmission. Ireland is likely to get the 1.3 and 1.6-litre versions.

The 323 saloon and hatch are much more agressively styled than the current cars, and have different front and rear-end treatments from each other. A distinctive vertical line highlights the rear of the hatch.

Both cars have hidden rear door handles a la Alfa Romeo. As detailed, they will be powered by 1.8, 2.0 or 2.3-litre four-cylinder engines and will have manual and CVT transmission options. Direct-injection technology will also feature in some units, while for Ireland it is likely the 1.5-litre option currently used will be continued. TW


Ford teams up with Heritage Council

4 April 2001: As part of the pan-European Ford Motor Company Environmental Conservation Grants Programme, Ford Ireland has teamed up with the Heritage Council in the largest community-based heritage scheme in the country.

The aim of the Heritage Council/Ford Ireland Community Grants Scheme is to encourage local groups to take an interest in the heritage that surrounds them, and to enable them to undertake projects which raises awareness of that rich and diverse resource. 51 projects have been granted a total of £229,000 in funding under the programme.

Projects among this year’s recipients include a narrow gauge railway line in Waterford, an oral history of Smithfield markets in Dublin, a planting scheme for a barren cemetery in Kerry, the cleaning of the River Fergus, a tree warden scheme in Dublin and a treatment of woodworm in Dolly’s Cottage in Strandhill.

“For many people, the term ‘heritage’ is naturally entwined in their own locality, be it the built or natural environment,” says Eddie Nolan (left), Chairman and Managing Director of Henry Ford & Son Limited in Cork. “Our heritage rests with the communities acknowledged by this grants programme. It is right that they be supported in their efforts.”

Michael Starrett, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, says the involvement of Ford Ireland bolsters a programme which is the main source of funding for community-based heritage projects in the country. TW


Suzuki to make cars for Nissan

4 April 2001: Mini-vehicle maker Suzuki is to supply little cars to Nissan for sale under the larger Japanese carmaker's name.

The Nissan branded cars will go on sale from 2002. The deal fills a gap in its domestic product line-up and allows Suzuki Motor, which has about a 30 percent share of the minicar market, to boost production volume.

Cars with engines of 660cc or less are one of the strongest segments in Japan's depressed auto market and account for more than 30 percent of domestic sales. Nissan has no vehicles in the segment and says it has no plans to develop its own.

Suzuki, which is 20pc owned by GM, already supplies minivehicles to Mazda for sale under the its brand. It will supply 3,000 minicars a month to Nissan from 2002. CFC


Saab wins tough environmental standard

4 April 2001: Saab has become one of the world's first car-makers to achieve the ISO 14001 international environmental standard for all its product development, purchasing and production processes.

By the end of the year, the company will have cut its total energy consumption by 25 per cent over the last 10 years. From 2002, all combustible waste will be recycled and by 2003 all suppliers will be ISO14001-approved.

"Steady improvements are a long term undertaking and a focal element in the certification," said Bo Swaner, Environmental Director at Saab Automobile. "Environmental thinking permeates the whole of the company. It can also cut costs and improve efficiency." TW


Orbital 2-stroke engine to be built in Russia

3 April 2001: The Orbital 2-stroke engine which has been under development and test in Australia for half a decade is to be built in Russia for use in local and emerging markets.

The 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine was used in the Genesis fleet trial programme in Australia. In 1996 Orbital produced 100 Ford Festiva vehicles fitted with the engines and the fleet accumulated over 5m kilometres with strong user acceptance.

Orbital makes engines for marine and motorcycle applications, and has also had a 6-cylinder version running in a BMW.

Russian car maker OAMO ZiL and Venture Industries Inc, American automotive engineering and materials specialists, will invest $250 million to manufacture 150,000 cars and 300,000 engines a year. Production will begin in 2004. OAMO ZiL is an established Russian truck and vehicle manufacturer

The engine’s simplicity and low cost is a big attraction - compared with conventional multi-point fuel injected four-stroke engines, an Orbital can have up to 40% fewer parts and be up to 30% lower in cost to manufacture. BB


Ford tops declined market for March

3 April 2001: Ford was the country’s most popular car brand last month with 12.7% of the market, or 2,875 units. Nissan took 11.8% market share with 2,673 units, ahead of Toyota with 2,526 (11.1%) and GM with 2,015 (9.1%). Registrations totalled 22,699 units, a drop of 29.5% on March 2000.

Ford was also Ireland’s best-selling marque for the first three months of the year, accounting for 11.2% of registrations, ahead of Toyota and Nissan (both 10.9%). The car market, at 79,518 registrations, was down 23.7% on the corresponding period last year.

The market for commercial vehicles in the 1st quarter grew by 4.7% on the same period last year, with Ford taking 18% of the market, ahead of Toyota (10.1%), Nissan (9.5%) and VW (9.4%). At 3,286 units, Ford registrations were up over 29% on the 1st quarter of 2000.

“With 3.5% of the market, the new Mondeo recorded its best performance since introduction,” said Eddie Nolan, Chairman and Managing Director, Henry Ford & Son Limited. “It was our strongest result in this segment for years. Meanwhile, Focus enters the 2nd quarter as the country’s best-selling car. Fiesta and Ka both finished the quarter strongly on foot of attractive consumer offers, which we are extending into the next quarter. It remains an excellent time to opt for a new car.”

Mr Nolan said the underlying strength of the industry could be seen in the commercial market, which was not subject to the same distortions in 2000 as the car sector.”Here Transit is exceeding our expectations, with close on 1,000 units registered last month alone,” he noted.

Eddie Nolan retires as Chairman and Managing Director later this month. FC/BB


Special offer on Toyotas

3 April 2001: Toyota Ireland has introduced a special offer on its Yaris and Corolla models.

'Red Hot Deals' will run over the month of April and features a choice of value added free options including alloy wheels and CD player, or a year’s free road tax and two years’ free servicing, or £1,500 scrappage off a Yaris or £2,000 off a Corolla.

The package also includes Toyota Ireland's Eurocare package, providing free 3-year warranty and 3-years’ free 24-hour roadside assistance.

Steve Tormey, Head of Marketing, Toyota Ireland, expects the promotion will be even more popular than last year’s very successful ‘Hottest Deals of the Summer’ offer.

Full details of Toyota's Red Hot Deals can be accessed on the Toyota Ireland website at www.toyota.ie. The offer ends at the end April. BB


New E-Class in a year's time

3 April 2001: The next version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be officially launched at next year's Geneva Motor Show and is expected to go on sale in the summer of 2002.

The car, M-B's most successful, is understood to be taking many of its styling cues from the latest S-Class, and will have a much more back-slanted nose and streamlined overall bodystyle.

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz's newest SL coupe will be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Expected to have a foldable hard-top similar to that already used in the SLK, the two-seater is expected to be powered by the 224bhp 3.20-litre V6 engine and V8s of 5- and 5.5 litres, the last an AMG supercharged unit producing more than 400bhp.

Detail features of the new car from insiders say it will be longer and sleeker than the current car, and will also have a narrower grille.


Irish Shumie Seicento is unabashadly red

2 April 2001: This is the Irish version of the new Michael Schumacher Seicento Limited Edition, which we told you about in UK terms last week.

Unlike the yellow used in the UK (Yellow IS a traditional Ferrari colour), Fiat Auto Ireland have plumped for the Titian Red of which we are more familiar from Schumie's exploits on the Formula 1 circuits.

Powered by a 1.1-litre engine as used in the Seicento Sporting, the special edition has a number of Schimacher cues, including his signature on various places, customised sideskirts and tailgate spoliers, a sill plate with the Schumacher logo, and inside details which include silver detailing and black leather with red stitching. TW


M-B put their bikes in the boot

2 April 2001: Mercedes-Benz has developed a new collection of mountain bikes and street bikes, which have been specially designed for transportation by car.

Thanks to a folding mechanism, these pedal-power stars can easily be folded up and loaded into the boot in an instant. Two connector systems are at the heart of the new technology: the first in the centre of the upper frame allows the rear wheel to be folded forwards, while the patented second connector is located in the folding handlebars.

M-B engineers produced the CAR.RY System so that owners of Mercedes-Benz saloons or sports models, such as the new C-Class Sports Coupé, are also able to transport bikes in the boot. The current Mercedes-Benz bikes have the additional benefit that they take up very little space if being stored in the garage over winter.

It's now as easy to have your mountain bike or street bike handy as it is for a jogger to keep a pair of trainers in the car, for those occasions when you suddenly feel the urge to go for a ride after work or when you're out and about at the weekend. JR


Making two-wheeler travelling safer

2 April 2001: Now motorcylces need not be so dangerous in an accident, with the development of a airbag vest that envelops riders in a protective 'Michelin Man' balloon.

The blow-up waistcoat was developed using military ballistics technology, and instantly inflates around the rider in a crash. It is made by Italian motorcycle clothing manufacturer Dainese.

Three separate airbags are built into the vest and are constantly monitored by two miniature computers, one in the garment itself and one on the bike. Detectors instantly detonate the bags in an impact and they cocoon the chest, spine, neck and other vital organs.

The vest is due to arrive at stockists in Britain this autumn and is expected to sell for stg£500. Fitting the computer to the motorcycle will cost a further stg£50. The vest cost £5 million to develop in co-operation with the Israeli military. CFC


Focus for production in Russia

2 April 2001: Ford plans to launch Focus model production in October at a plant near St Petersburg in Russia.

The company’s investment is EURO 135 million, and the construction of the plant, a joint venture between Ford and several St Petersburg banks, was begun in 1999.

Other major foreign car makers have already launched joint venture production in Russia include BMW, Renault and Fiat. GM plan to start local production in their joint ventures in 2002. TW

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