31 July 2001: Former international rally champion Rosemary Smith has renewed her call for the Government to get involved with young driver training, by asking for support for a plan to provide a dedicated driving training centre just outside Dublin.
"We're allowing young people out in 'coffins on wheels'," she said in a comment on the carnage on the roads last week. "There are thousands of young people out there on the roads with no training at all, and there is in fact nowhere in the country where they CAN be trained in dealing with unexpected bad situations such as a serious skid." Full Story.
Matiz 'Best Budget Car'
31 July 2001: The 50bhp Daewoo Matiz is the winner of the ‘Best Budget Car Category’ in Auto Express’s New Car Honours. Opposition included Renault’s Kangoo Kar and Seat Arosa. Full Story.
'Entry-level' Audi A4s arrive here
30 July 2001: Audi have announced the arrival on to the Irish market of its entry level Audi A4 1.6-litre 102 bhp petrol and 1.9-litre TDi 100bhp turbo diesel versions.
These two new models come equipped with electronic climate control and are similar in specifications to other models within the A4 range. Full Story.
World Rally Masters entertain huge crowds at Punchestown
30 July 2001: The huge crowd which descended on Punchestown Racecourse on Saturday to see world rally stars Richard Burns, Freddy Loix and Miki Biasion take part in the first ever World Rally Masters where not to be disappointed as they were treated to a display of spectacular rallying. Full Story.
New BMW 7 engines boost economy, performance
30 July 2001: Two brand-new powerplants for the new BMW 7-series have succeeded both in increasing power output and fuel economy, each by approximately 14%. They have also seriously extended service intervals, with oil-change intervals at up to 25,000 miles. Full Story.
Many hundreds visit Lexus SC430 exhibition
30 July 2001: It has to have been one of the most extended public launches of a car in Ireland, and in excess of 1,200 people went along to the Toyota Motor Centre over the weekend to see the new Lexus sports cabriolet, the SC340. So popular was the event, officially opened to an invited audience on Thursday last by Dr Tim Mahony (above), chairman of Toyota Ireland, that it was extended through today, and extra day beyond planned. Full Story.
Car security better, but over 60% still fail tests
26 July 2001: The eighth annual What Car? Security Supertest has revealed that, although new cars are generally more secure than ever, six out of 10 still fail to meet UK Home Office guidelines on car security.
Of the 67 new models tested by What Car?’s independent experts, 42 could be broken into in less than two minutes. Better news was that all 67 put up enough resistance to prevent our team driving it away within the five minutes allowed. The results are published in the September issue of What Car?, on sale August 1. Full Story.
Mondeo sales beating market trend
26 July 2001: Ford's Mondeo is meeting or exceeding sales expectations in Europe, and is contributing strongly to the marque's improved financial performance in Europe, where the company says it is on course to break-even in 2001, produce 'reasonable' profits in 2002, and make $1 billion in profit by 2003 or 2004. Full Story.
Diesel power for Mini?
26 July 2001: A new 1.4-litre D4D turbodiesel engine to be made available in the Toyota Yaris soon may also find its way into BMW's latest small car, the new Mini. Full Story.
Half a million mobile phoners
26 July 2001: An estimated 3% of passenger vehicle drivers are talking on hand-held cellphones at any given time, according to a study by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency estimates that 500,000 people driving cars, vans, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks are talking on cellphones at any given moment during weekday daylight hours. Full Story.
'Zip merge' advice from UK advanced drivers
25 July 2001: The UK Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has suggested 'zip merging' as a more efficient system of dealing with lane closures on dual carriageways and motorways.
'Zip merging' means all available lanes are used right up to the bottleneck, with vehicles then merging in turn, one from the left, one from the right, in the style of a zip. The idea features in the summer edition of the IAM members' magazine, Advanced Driving, and draws attention to a lack of advice on this point in the Highway Code. Full Story.
Antihistamines can affect braking distances
24 July 2001: New research shows that that stopping distances are dramatically increased when drivers are under the influence of most antihistamines.
Normally at 70mph, the thinking distance - the length of road travelled before the brake is even touched - is 69ft. But when taking antihistamines such as promethazine this is increased by up to 11ft, taking the thinking distance to nearly 80ft. It is even further - by 3ft - than when the driver is at the alcohol limit for drink driving. The research was carried out by the UK-based Human Psychopharmacology Research Unit. Full Story.
Volvo develops its own large-car diesels
23 July 2001: Volvo will have its own common-rail diesel engines in its large cars from September, closing a gap since the end of last year when the company stopped using VW diesels because they didn't meet Euro 3 emission standards.
The new D5 engine is the first car diesel engine to be designed and built by Volvo itself . The 1.8- and 2-litre diesels used in is smaller 40 series cars are bought from Renault.
The new engine is five-cylinder with an aluminium block, and will be available first in the S60 and S80 and later in the V70 wagon. Full Story.
Semperit introduces new performance tyre
23 July 2001: Semperit Ireland is introducing a new performance tyre to the market this summer, aimed at dealing with the particularly poor roads in Ireland. The Direction-Sport combines high-speed performance with the safety, comfort and long life demanded by drivers in the growing performance and luxury car market in Ireland. Full Story.
New security post range from Autolok
23 July 2001: Car security specialist Autlok has launched a new range of domestic and commercial security posts to help owners cut down on the risk of thefts of their vehicles.
According to the British Crime Survey, 63% of vehicles are stolen from the near the home and nearly one in three from private or semi-private parking areas such as drives.
The new range of eight heavy duty security posts includes telescopic, folding and removable posts as well as an anti-ram raid post and a motorcycle ground anchor. Full Story.
Car tracking service goes 24-hour live
23 July 2001: A strategic alliance between Vehicular Tracking System providers RM Distribution Irl Ltd and Freightwatch International now offers 24-hour monitoring of all vehicles in Ireland which use the system. Full Story.
Chrysler PT Cruiser production starts in Europe
22 July 2001: The first European-built Chrysler PT Cruisers rolled off the production line last week at DaimlerChrysler’s Eurostar Assembly Plant in Austria, as the company stepped up production in response to strong global demand.
Chrysler has continued to increase production of the PT Cruiser since its introduction in early 2000. In April, the company announced it would expand capacity of its Toluca (Mexico) Assembly Plant from 180,000 to 260,000 units a year. Eurostar can produce 50,000 Chrysler PT Cruisers annually, bringing the worldwide capacity to 310,000 units in 2002. Full Story.
Toyota, Peugeot-Citroen, to produce joint venture cars
20 July 2001: Toyota and the French PSA Group (Peugeot/ Citroen) have signed an agreement for the joint development and production of small cars primarily designed for European markets. Production is scheduled to start in 2005.
The companies say the cars will be positioned below current entry-level models (such as Toyota's Yaris, above, and Citroen's Saxo) with 1-litre petrol engines and 1.4-litre diesel engines. Full Story.
MG Rover 'looking at' US market
20 July 2001: MG Rover is ‘looking at’ the possibility of going back into the US market with its new MG products such as the ZR above, but the odds are against a quick re-entry to a market in which it had an unhappy experience last time around. Full Story.
Drivers forget what they learn too quickly
20 July 2001: Substantial numbers of newly qualified drivers forget what they have learned, new findings suggest.
In a specially conducted survey, 39% of drivers said they not remember the equivalent of the rules of the road or highway code particularly well while two-in-five 17-24-year-olds admitted to having serious gaps in their knowledge. Full Story.
MG Rover show off their new 'outrageous fun' cars
19 July 2001: The Z-cars are coming. No, it’s not a remake of the popular British TV police series of the 50s and 60s based around Ford Zodiacs and Zephyrs with blue lights, but a range of new MG-badged cars based on the current Rover 25, 45 and 75 platforms.
We were shown them in Wales yesterday, and in a great show of blind faith we were also given a racing circuit on which to play with them. Fun, it was. And Fun with a capital F is what MG Rover are presenting as they revive a badge which traditionally has been the icon of the ‘affordable sports car’. Full Story.
Ford continues support for disabled drivers
19 July 2001: When the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD, opened a new National Mobility Centre at the Irish Wheelchair Association in Clane, Co Kildare, Ford demonstrated their support by donating a Ford Focus Automatic and Fiesta for use in the centre. Full Story.
Liana launched in Ireland
18 July 2001: The Suzuki Liana has now arrived in Ireland and significantly extends the range of modern Suzuki cars in this market.
The 5-door hatchback is aimed to compete in the Astra/Focus 'C' segment where the marque previously only had the Baleno saloon. It is available here with 1.3- and 1.6-litre engine options, both of which are brand-new 16v units. Full Story.
Road deaths down
18 July 2001: Road deaths are down since the beginning of the year compared to last year's total of 234 people killed on the roads in the same period.
A man killed near Baltinglass yesterday became the 200th victim of 2001, when his truck was involved in a crash with another truck, whose driver was hospitalised but with injuries described as 'not serious'.
Drivers' association commends speed camera decision
18 July 2001: The Association of British Drivers has congratulated Scotland Yard's Assistant Commissioner Michael Todd for his decision to 'freeze' the expansion of speed cameras in London because they have alienated hundreds of thousands of people who would normally be the staunchest supporters of the police. Full Story.
New Irish Lexus SC430 owners will drive F1 track
17 July 2001: Irish people who have preordered the new Lexus SC430 hardtop convertible have been invited to take part in a special Lexus Experience Driving Day at the Spa-Francorchamps Formula 1 circuit in Belgium next Monday. The event will include the owners being taken around the circuit by professional racing drivers and then they’ll get an opportunity to put the car through its paces themselves. Full Story.
Saab in Ireland has new website, increases sales
17 July 2001: The importers of Saab in Ireland, Scanveco, have launched an official website for the marque. The site offers pricing and specification details on all its current vehicles, as well as a history of Saab.
The brand has increased its sales in Ireland by 8% in the January to June 2001 period, compared to the same period last year. This is the highest increase in the segment, against an overall market downturn of 28%.
SIMI calls for VRT refunds on used cars
17 July 2001: An age-related refund of VRT on used cars for export should be implemented and would be a 'bonanza' for the Government, the new president of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry says.
Paraic Mooney suggested that the move would mean an £80 million gain per annum to the state as exported used cars would be eventually replaced by new cars. In addition there would be a benefit to the environment in Ireland with the removal from the roads of older cars.
Accent 'cheapest car to run'
17 July 2001: The Hyundai Accent has been declared the UK's 'cheapest car to run' by the British Consumer Association. The association's magazine Which? looked at the running costs of 107 new cars in total. Last September, the same magazine said the Accent was the UK's most reliable car.
Ford Fiesta joins the 10 million club
13 July 2001: The Ford Fiesta became the most successful European small car ever this week, when the 10 millionth unit drove off the production line.
The Fiesta, also Ireland’s best-ever selling car, joins an exclusive club of cars with eight-digit production totals, which includes the Ford Escort and the Model T. Full Story.
BMW says Mini will make profits in first run
13 July 2001: BMW says it will make profits on its new Mini in the first generation of its production, or within six to seven years, in a response to recent press speculation which had suggested the project would lose money with the first Mini design.
BMW expects to sell 100,000 Minis around the world in a full year and profits are expected to begin coming in in the medium term when the company brings out 'niche lifestyle' versions which will include a convertible, a pick-up truck and a revived 'Clubman' wooden-sided wagon. Full Story.
Mazda, Ford, to share platforms
13 July 2001: Mazda will launch three passenger cars on platforms shared with Ford over the next two years. Two of the three models will be produced at Ford plants in Germany or Spain.
The three cars are new versions of the Demio and 626, due out next year, and a new 323 in 2003.
Mazda President Mark Fields says development costs per model might be reduced from 10% to more than 50% through close cooperation with Ford. The savings may be used to develop other models for the same platform, including a hybrid sportscar-station wagon.
Common Mitsubishi/DaimlerChrysler platforms from 2005
13 July 2001: Mitsubishi and controlling interest partner DaimlerChrysler will develop common platforms for new passenger cars to be released in Japan and North America from 2005. Chrysler will use the joint platform but Mercedes-Benz will not.
Chrysler expects to use the new platform for its Neon and Stratus saloons and Mitsubishi will use it for the new Lancer and Galant.
Mitsubishi had previously announced that it would cut the number of its platforms from 11 to six by 2006.
Miki Biasion to compete at World Rally Masters event
12 July 2001: Miki Biasion, twice winner of the World Rally Championship and one of the most famous names in motorsport, has confirmed that he is coming to Ireland for the World Rally Masters event at Punchestown Racecourse on July 28. Biasion will be driving the new Fiat Punto Rally, a car he helped Fiat Auto Racing to develop, a car making its debut in this part of the world. Full Story.
RAC Ireland and IrishCar.Com combine for major insurance survey
12 July 2001: In conjunction with RAC Ireland, IrishCar.Com is conducting a survey of Car Insurance in Ireland. While most investigations on this subject are based on getting comparative quotes from different insurance providers, IrishCar.Com is looking for something quite different. Full Story.
Irish car prices much higher than European average
11 July 2001: Retail car prices in Ireland were 28% higher than the average retail prices for 19 European countries, leaving us fourth from the top in the European Retail Price Index behind Denmark (82% above average), Norway (64%) and Finland (28%). Ireland was followed by Portugal (25%), Britain (18%) and the Netherlands (14%). Full Story.
Suppliers will 'share risk' on new Fiesta
11 July 2001: A new production system for the upcoming new Ford Fiesta involves suppliers 'sharing the risk' with the new car, in the process saving Ford money and helping the company in its European profits turnaround.
Suppliers will own equipment for component manufacture installed in the Cologne production plant and will charge the carmaker for their inputs every time a car rolls off the production line. This means Ford has less capital tied up in the plant, and reduces its component stock inventories. Full Story.
Land Cruiser wins major magazine award
10 July 2001: The Toyota Land Cruiser has scooped the prestigious title of 'Best Overall 4x4 for 2001'&Mac226; awarded by Irish 4x4 & Off Road magazine. For the fourth time in five years the Toyota beat off the competition to claim this highly coveted award, a testament to the quality and reliability of the Land Cruiser.
The judging panel awarded the top title to the Land Cruiser based on thorough testing under the following criteria: drivability, reliability, robustness, safety and comfort. Full Story.
Ireland among highest in motor taxation
10 July 2001: Ireland has the fourth highest level of motoring taxation in Europe, an extensive new survey reveals.
Only the Netherlands, Finland and Denmark impose heavier penalties for the privilege of owning and driving a car. And even then we virtually match them on severity of treatment for 2-litre and 1.6-litre cars.
Relatively speaking, owners of cars around the 1,000cc level fare quite well and rank below the European taxation average.
The tax burden imposed for such items as petrol, car purchase and tolls is highlighted in the study of 14 European countries. Full Story.
Call for competition investigation on petrol
10 July 2001: Huge variations in the price of petrol have prompted a call for the Competition Authority to investigate.
Petrol prices fell by 3.1p/litre in the last month, according to the Automobile Association. That is good news for motorists.
Bad news for motorists is that they can pay a lot more at some outlets than others. And, according to the AA, there does not appear to be any rational explanation for the difference. Full Story.
'Smart' mirrors the key to safer carphoning?
9 July 2001: A New York ban on the use of handheld phones while driving will boost sales of a Michigan USA company - Gentex - which has integrated into its flagship product auto-dim mirror a number of features including a digital compass, alarm display, tire-pressure indicator, OnStar global positioning system and, perhaps most importantly these days, a hands-free cellular phone. Full Story.
High value Hilux double-cab
9 July 2001: Following the recent reclassification of the Toyota Hilux Double-Cab from a passenger to a commercial vehicle, the Hilux represents even better value. Full Story.
Saab shows off upgraded 9-5 range
6 July 2001: A new 9-5 range for model year ’02 has been announced by GM-owned Swedish carmaker Saab. With 1,265 improvements and enhancements, among the innovations is an an all-new common rail 3-litre V6 Turbo Diesel engine with 176 bhp and 350 Nm torque. Full Story.
US investigates 'inadvertant rollaways' in Cherokees
6 July 2001: The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a formal investigation into a possible transmission fault on Grand Cherokee cars after receiving nearly 50 complaints about the vehicle's automatic transmission slipping into reverse while parked with the engine running. Full Story.
RAC warns on summer drinks danger
6 July 2001: The RAC is warning about the dangers of summer drinking and driving. It believes people run as high a risk of being killed or injured during the summer as during the Christmas period. Full Story.
New Mini arrives in Ireland
5 July 2001: The all-new MINI One and MINI Cooper were shown to the Irish motoring press this week, and the cars will be officialy launched in Dublin on Friday, 20 July 2001.
'Drop dead gorgeous’ whichever way you look at them, the new MINIs are indeed well proportioned and cleverly designed. Full Story.
Car sales continue to drop, but healthy outlook
5 July 2001: Car sales have dropped 28% in the first six months of 2001, according to figures released by the SIMI but remain 3% up on 1999 figures. Ford continues to be the country's leading car brand, accounting for 11.6% of the market in June and 11.4% for the half-year.
A total of 129,094 cars have been registered this year, compared to 179,408 in the bumper millennium year. Ford 14,673 (11.4%), Toyota 13,728 (10.6%), Nissan 13,478 (10.4%), VW 13,197 (10.2%), GM 12,092 (9.4%). Full Story.
Matsushita named title sponsor for Toyota's F1 team
4 July 2001: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced today that, together with Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG), they have signed a formal agreement entitling Matsushita to serve as the title sponsor of the Toyota Formula One (F1) racing team. Full Story.
Loix to drive Mitsubishi Carisma at Punchestown
4 July 2001: The Mitsubishi World Rally Team are to make their first-ever trip to Ireland later this month with the announcement Mitsubishi Motors that Belgian Rally star Freddy Loix is to compete at Rally Masters International (July 28th).
The second world championship driver in a week to be confirmed for the rally spectacular, which takes place at Punchestown Racecourse situated near Naas, the 30-year-old will drive his Mitsubishi Carisma GT on the event. Full Story.
Avensis Verso for Ireland later in year
2 July 2001: Toyota is to introduce its Avensis Verso medium-upper MPV to Ireland towards the end of the year. The 7-seater, shown first at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, is aimed at the family driver who wants something with more people flexibility than a wagon but with almost-car dimensions and handling. The Avensis will have the lowest roofline in its MPV class as well as having the longest load space. Full Story.
Renault upgrades Megane, Scenic
2 July 2001: Renault has updated and refined Megane and Scenic models. Standard equipment on all new Megane and Scenic models now includes air conditioning, CD player, ABS brakes and twin front and side airbags.
And a new special edition called 'Luxe', available in a 1.4 16V petrol engine version only, has 15" alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Priced competitively over the 'Comfort' at £14,650, Luxe is £940 cheaper than the 'Sport' version. Full Story.
BMW quadruples US sales in a decade
2 July 2001: BMW is expecting to sell 200,000 cars in the US this year, representing a quadrupling of its sales since 1991. And the company is aiming to increase to 300,000 units 'in the long term' through the addition of new products to the market.
These will include a smaller X3 companion to the X5 SUV (above) in 2004, along with a new 6-Series coupe and convertible. An entry-level 1-Series car is also scheduled for 2004. Full Story.
Toyota, Peugeot, to build small cars together
2 July 2001: Toyota and Peugeot/Citroen (PSA Group) are to develop together a new vehicle platform to be used in joint production in Europe of replacements for a new sub-Yaris (left) and sub-106/Saxo small cars.
In a statement, both companies say this move will allow them have prices lower than those in the current small-car segment, and the project includes a high-level of standard safety performance, and excellent environmental attributes. Full Story.
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