28 June 2001: The just-announced Honda Jazz is expected to arrive in Ireland 'early next year' according to the local distributors.

Frank Kennedy of Honda Ireland says that 'all going well', the new high-spec Jazz should be on Irish roads just as soon as it is available elsewhere in Europe. The new car will be on sale first in Japan later this month where it will be named Honda Fit. Full Story

Landcruiser is France's King of the Road

28 June 2001: The Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado D-4D diesel, overall winner of the Irish 4x4 and Offroad magazine annual awards, has also been elected ‘4x4 of the year, 2001’ by French specialist offroad publication 4x4 Magazine. A jury composed of readers and journalists declared the Toyota tops after very thorough tests in the rough, desert terrain of southern Morocco.

The award is now in its 17th consecutive year and this latest triumph represents Toyota’s winning the award for the sixth time since 1988, including victories in 1996, 1998 and 1999. Full Story

Hype and style will sell new Mini in short term

28 June 2001: BMW'S new Mini, due to be launched to the Irish motoring public at a party in Leopardstown Racecourse on July 20, will take markets by storm in the short term, but it remains to be seen whether the move into small cars will work for the German luxury car maker over the long haul, experts say.

With all the hype generated by BMW's publicity machine, plus nostalgia for the sixties icon Mini, there is likely to be a rush to the showrooms by the fashion conscious. But the car will only succeed for BMW if it has serious practical qualities. Full Story

Full-size curtain airbags option for Opel cars

27 June 2001: GM is to make full-size curtain airbags available on its Opel Corsa, Astra and Zafira models from the autumn.

The curtain airbags on both sides of the car provide front and rear passengers with added protection in a side collision. They inflate like a curtain along the side window area within 25 to 30 milliseconds, so cushioning the heads of the occupants from the effects of a lateral impact and significantly cutting the risk of injury from shattered glass. Full story.

Reliant introduce small commercials to Ireland

27 June 2001: The new Piaggio range of three and four wheel, light commercial vehicles is now being imported into Ireland and many local authories and companies have already bought into the range of vans, pickups, tippers and chassis cabs. Full story.

Volvo to introduce five new models

27 June 2001: The first of five new cars to be introduced by Volvo over the next five years will be a vehicle in the 'sports activity' segment, to be based on the Adventure Concept Car (left) seen at the Detroit Motor Show last January.

And the company, which is part of the Ford Premier Automotive Group stable, aims to increase global sales from 430,000 units a year to 600,000. Full Story.

BMW releases new 7 Series pictures

25 June 2001: BMW has released the first official pictures of the new BMW 7 Series which will make its world debut at the Frankfurt International Motorshow this September and will go on sale from spring 2002.

The new 7 Series designers have divided the cabin into two distinct areas, the ‘comfort area’ and the ‘driving area’. Full Story.

Honda to bring Jazz to Europe next year

24 June 2001: Honda has revived a mid-eighties name for the European version of a new B-segment car about to be launched on the Japansese market.

The Jazz is a supermini size car with big car room, according to the company, and will provide comfortable accommodation for up to five occupants; it will also offer flexibility thanks to a new rear seat arrangement. Full Story.

Mitsubishi strongly refutes 'rollover risk' for SUV

23 June 2001: Mitusbishi Motor Corporation has strongly refuted a claim by the US-based Consumer Reports magazine that its 2001 Montero Limited SUV (Pajero in this market) has a 'non acceptable' rating in rollover tests.

The magazine is published by the Consumers Union and has only previously given such a rating twice - to the Suzuki Samurai in 1988 and the Isuzu Trooper in 1996. This latest claim has been already rubbished by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's US operation, which claims the test - which tipped the Montero on two wheels during an emergency avoidance maneuvre at the same speed in nine out of ten runs - is 'unrealistic'. Full Story.

Honda launching new 80mpg-plus car today

22 June 2001: Honda is today launching in Japan a new 1.3-litre car which will return more than 80mpg. The 'Fit' is a B-segment car which will go on sale in Europe in early 2002.

The car is aimed directly at Toyota's Yaris, and according to Honda's figures it will be more fuel efficient by around 28% than the Toyota.

The Fit will sell in Japan for EUR 8,400 and Honda plans to eventually introduce derivative models.

GM makes Corsa suitable for China market

22 June 2001: General Motors has made 100 engineering changes to the Opel Corsa which it has just launched on the Chinese market as a Buick Sail. The car is being sold in 4- and 5-door form (a saloon, as on right, is also made in Brazil) powered by a 1.6-litre engine.

The changes include producing lighter upholstery and cup-holders big enough to hold Chinese tea-jars. The car is being produced in a a 50-50 joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Full Story.

Ford Mondeo joins marque's best-seller list

22 June 2001: The new Ford Mondeo last month joined Ford Focus and Transit as the best-selling vehicle in its class. The Mondeo claimed over 3.6% of the entire car market, with 673 units, 38% more than its nearest competitor, the Toyota Avensis (485 units).

The leading cars in the business/large family car segment (C/D) for the month of May were Ford Mondeo (673), Toyota Avensis (485), VW Passat (446), Renault Laguna (384), Nissan Primera (258). Full Story.

VW points Passat at luxury segment with new engine

22 June 2001: Volkswagen has revealed a redesigned Passat model with a new W8 engine (above), as part of a strategy to move the brand into a luxury segment.

With greater profits available from the high-margin luxury segment, despite smaller unit sales, VW says it hopes to sell some 10,000 W8 Passats per year, about half of them in the US. Full Story.

Motoring costs for family cars jump by 10 per cent

22 June 2001: The cost of running a family car has risen by 10 per cent in the last year, according to the AA. In its latest annual survey the organisation says the increase in cost for a car in the 1251-1500cc category (such as Ford's Focus or Nissan's Almera, left) is £674 for the year, to £7,257. Full Story.

Suzuki Liana for Ireland next month

21 June 2001: A new Suzuki car to compete in the C-segment (Focus/Corolla) will be introduced to Ireland on 13 July. The Suzuki Liana was first shown to the public in Geneva last February. Full Story.

American icon car launched here

20 June 2001: The launch of two cars in Dublin yesterday brought one American icon to Ireland and revitalised another.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser which has been so successful in America for the past year that it still commands a premium price there is now available in Ireland for £25,200. Only 120 are allocated to the Irish market this year and some 60 of these have been bought already.

Meanwhile, C J Concessionaires also introduced the latest version of the ‘Daddy of MPVs’ the Chrysler Voyager and Grand Voyager. The Voyager was the first MPV 18 years ago and has sold over nine million copies to date. Full Story.

Suzuki expands Wagon R+ range

20 June 2001: Suzuki has introduced a 1-litre version of its Wagon R+ to the Irish market, using the proven engine which has powered the Swift series for many years.

The current 1.3-litre version has been on sale since June of last year. The 1-litre, which has a specification including front electric windows, electric door mirrors, and dual airbags. It sells for £9,750. Full Story.

Bridgestone launch F1-inspired road tyre

20 June 2001: Bridgestone has launched a new ultra high performance tyre which draws its key technology from Formula 1. The name Potenza S-03 Pole Position also reflects its origins.

Directly from the brand's Formula 1 experience is a compound formulation which considerably reduces the rate of rubber hardening, minimising increase in noise and deterioration in wet performance as a tyre ages. Full Story.

New Lexus bought out before it arrives

19 June 2001: Buyers have snapped up the new £84,000 Lexus SC430 supercar - long before it is scheduled to arrive here. Most of the cars, which are due here in July, have already been bought.

Wannabe owners can't wait to get into what is being described as one of the best performing coupe/cabriolets in the world. Full Story.

MG Rover to acquire Mangusta builder

19 June 2001: MG Rover is expected to announce today that it has acquired Qvale Automotive, the US-Italian group which makes the Mangusta sports car, launched last year.

The Mangusta is manufactured in Modena, the Italian home of the Maserati motoring name. There have been up to now just eight dealers for the car, in Europe and the US. Full Story.

Aggressive driving bad for health

19 June 2001: Aggressive driving is bad for your health, a new study suggests. Drivers who consider themselves aggressive on the road are far more likely to have higher blood pressure than their calmer fellow road users.

The study is the first to measure physical changes shown by self-identified aggressive drivers in stressful conditions. Full Story.

Toyota unveils two fuel cell hybrids

19 June 2001: Toyota has developed two new fuel cell hybrid vehicles - a 63-seater bus and a passenger car - which promise to be three times as efficient as conventional petrol-powered vehicles.

The news comes just days after Toyota unveiled its new four-wheel-drive Estima (Previa) Hybrid MPV for the Japanese market. Full Story.

Toyota introduces hybrid MPV

18 June 2001: Toyota has launched another hybrid vehicle, initially for the Japanese market, following on its success with the petrol-electric Prius saloon which has sold more than 60,000 copies in Japan, North America and Europe over three years.

The new Estima hybrid MPV (the normal vehicle is sold as the Previa, right, in Europe) gets over 50mpg. Full Story.

BMW to increase its SUV range

18 June 2001: In addition to its planned 1-series small car and the soon-to-be-released new Mini, BMW plans to build a small SUV, the X3, aimed directly at the Land Rover Freelander, and is also considering a large SUV aimed at the Range Rover end of the market. This follows on the success of its X5 SUV (left), especially in America. Full Story.

Kia to introduce new V6 flagship to UK

18 June 2001: Kia is to introduce a new large flagship car to the UK next month, aiming to take the brand to a new level of refinement and luxury. The Magentis replaces the Clarus which has been the brand's flagship up to now.

Kia is using a 2.5-litre V6 engine and will provide two trim levels in the UK, but if it the car introduced to Ireland it is more likely that a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder alternative would be the powerplant. Full Story.

MG Rover unveil first Extreme car at Le Mans

16 June 2001: MG Rover revealed the first in a series of 'Extreme' cars today), on the eve of the MG assault in the Le Mans 24-hour race. MG Extreme vehicles are one-off demonstrators, not intended for series production, and will each be outrageously powerful and road legal.

The MGF X Power 500 is powered by a race-bred 500PS engine and has a 6-speed sequential transmission in what is a much modified MGF monocoque structurer. Full Story.

Toyota to highlight mobility programme at UK show

16 June 2001: Toyota in the UK has prepared adapted Corolla and Previa models for visitors to the UK Mobility Show to be held between 15-17 June at Transport Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, Berkshire.

Toyota (GB) PLC was one of the first manufacturers in the UK to offer disabled drivers the opportunity to test drive one of their models with adaptations already fitted through the Toyota Regional Demonstrator Programme. Full Story.

RAC gets tops thumbs-up from UK motorists

16 June 2001: A report by J D Power and Associates shows that the RAC is the 'most satisfying' roadside assistance organisation when dealing with emergency calls in the UK. The verdict was given by over 4,000 UK motorists who called for emergency assistance and represented an 11-point improvement to 118 points. Full Story.

Ford introduces Formula 1-style autobox for Transit

15 June 2001: Ford of Ireland is introducing Formula 1-style gear-change technology to the Ford Transit range with the new Durashift EST automated transmission. As well as an automatic mode that delivers the fuel economy and performance of a manual box, the system provides push-button manual gear changing at the driver’s fingertips. Research shows van users can change gear over 1,000 times per day. Full Story.

Toyota to increase European production capacity

15 June 2001: Toyota is to increase the annual production capacity for the Yaris at its French plant by 20 % to 180,000 units at the beginning of 2003.

The increase was announced by TMC President Fujio Cho, who said the decision was based on the encouraging sales performance of the Yaris in Europe. Full Story.

VW has them listening all over the cyberworld

15 June 2001: Volkswagen in the US has set up RadioVW (RadioVW.com), a 24-hour live-stream internet radio station featuring an array of more than 120 artists, including REM, Dusty Springfield, Ahmad Jamal and James Brown. Full Story.

Prestigious award for Audi A2

15 June 2001: A panel of judges from the UK design and advertising world has given a Silver Award to the Audi A2, only the second time the British Design and Art Direction (D&AD) has given an award to a car in the 39-year history of its awards – and the first was to an Audi TT Coupé. Full Story.

Ford introduces 1.6-litre Puma

15 June 2001: Ford has produced a 1.6-litre version of its Puma pretty sports coupe, filling a gap left when the 1.4-litre entry level model was discontinued last year.

The engine comes out of the Zetec-S version of the Fiesta, on whose platform the Puma is based. Specification includes ABS brakes, traction control, driver's airbag, RDS stereo and a perimeter alarm system. Full Story.

VW considers new boss decision

15 June 2001: Volkswagen is set to decide on a successor to chief executive Ferdinand Piech in November, industry sources say. The move would curtail speculation about the long-awaited succession.

The earlier-than-expected decision would mean the colourful Piech could depart as early as the end of the year. Full Story.

MG makes historic return to Le Mans 24 Hours

14 June 2001: MG is making an historic return to Le Mans to compete in the world famous 24-hour endurance race on Saturday and Sunday June 16/17, 2001. The last time an MG competed in the 24-hour Le Mans race was in 1965 when Paddy Hopkirk and Andrew Hedges finished 11th in the race - the best an MGB had achieved there and second in its class. Full Story.

Fiat Auto dealers complete two-week think-in in Milan

14 June 2001: Fiat Auto dealers throughout the world (including Ireland) will be required to develop strategic business plans as a follow-up to a just-concluded two-week International Dealer Conference held in Milan. Full Story.

Mazda Tribute reaches Ireland

12 June 2001:The Mazda Tribute SUV has finally reached Ireland after a delay which the manufacturers say was due to unprecedented demand in other markets.

The vehicle comes in three versions - a 2WD 2-litre (not available until September) - a 4x4 with the same engine, and a 4x4 3-litre automatic. The price range is £24,370-£34,775. Full Story.

Spacestar gets new engine range

12 June 2001: The attraction of the Mitsubishi Spacestar has been enhanced with the addition of new 1.6-litre petrol and 1.9-litre turbodiesel engines. These complement the 1.3-litre unit which has powered the compact MPV since it was introduced in 1997. Full Story.

Uniroyal sings in the rain as the weather gets wetter

12 June 2001: A Uniroyal ‘Wet Wet Wet’ outdoor poster campaign is designed to highlight Uniroyal’s image as a tyre specially equipped to deal with wet weather conditions and is a play on the name of the popular eighties band. (Pictured above in front of one of the posters are Tom Donnelly of Donnelly Tyres, Blackrock, Co Dublin; and Geoff McIlwaine, sales manager of Semperit Ireland.) Full Story.

X-Type is key to Jaguar sales future

11 June 2001: Jaguar Ireland has set itself a target of selling 650 units a year, to be achieved in a few years, which will represent a quantum leap over the 121 units sold as recently as 1998.

Key to that strategy is the arrival of the X-Type, Jaguar’s new ‘small’ car, which is aimed squarely at BMW’s 3-Series, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi’s recently upmarketed A4. Full Story.

Alfa to give 156 power version

11 June 2001: Alfa Romeo is coming up with its fastest-ever saloon which will directly take on high-performance derivatives of competitors such as the upcoming version of the Mondeo S220.

The 156 GTA will be powered by a 3.2-litre version of the 3.0 V6, which powers top versions of the GTV and 166 (above). Full Story.

Honda looks to China for growth

11 June 2001: Honda plan to build car production in China to an annual 240,000 units, and will introduce the Logo model (current version above) in 2003 in 1- and 1.3-litre forms. This will follow an earlier launch of the Odyssey MPV there. Full Story.

Lexus coupe for Ireland at end July

8 June 2001: A four-day exhibition at the end of next month will give motoring enthusiasts a chance to see the new Lexus SC430 coupe, which goes on sale here on 25 July. Full Story.

M-B used sale is rescheduled

8 June 2001: Mercedes-Benz Ireland have rescheduled their annual Used Car Sale which was postponed due to the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The event will now take place on the weekend of 23/24 June, at the Irish Kennel Club's National Show Centre at Cloghran, near Dublin Airport. Some 400 used Mercedes-Benz cars will be offered for sale at the event.

Ford increases discount for disabled drivers

8 June 2001: Ford in Ireland has increased by 100% its discount for disabled drivers, doubling the amount to £600. In addition to the monetary supplement, the standard RAC 12 months coverage has been extended to 36 months and will include roadside assistance, servicing and repair for owners under the scheme. Full Story.

Rover 75 Tourer Irish prices are announced

7 June 2001: Rover's new 75 Tourer will have a starting price of £26,575 when it comes available in Ireland in September, according to Dave Smith, MD of MG Rover Ireland.

Speaking to Irish journalists last night in Stratford-on-Avon, he outlined a range of estate derivatives of the 75 saloon which will top out at a price of £36,515 for a car which will, he said, 'make an important statement' about the model and the brand. Full Story.

Car sales for YTD ahead of 1999 market

7 June 2001: New car sale registrations for the month of May 2001 came in at 21.4%, down on May 2000 but for the year to date, are still 6% or over 6,400 units ahead of 1999.

"On this basis, the car market this year, should come in at over 175,000 units which will be ahead of 1999 and will be the second best year on record", says James Wyse, Managing Director of Citroën-Gallic Distributors Ltd. Full Story.

Rover 75 Touring makes history for the brand

6 June 2001: A new car from MG Rover makes history for the Rover brand by being the first full-production estate in the history of the company. The 75 Tourer is an elegant and substantial vehicle aimed squarely at the growing luxury lifestyle estates which are proving ever more popular in the ‘image’ marques such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Full Story.

Honda Civic achieves pedestrian safety breakthrough

6 June 2001: The Honda Civic has achieved a new pedestrian protection benchmark in Europe's leading independent crash tests confirmed Euro NCAP last night.

The Honda Civic is the first car tested which is designed to balance the safety of both occupant and pedestrian. With a 72% score the Civic almost achieved a four-star Euro NCAP pedestrian rating (75% threshold for four stars) and offers double the level of pedestrian protection offered by many of the cars tested by Euro NCAP to date. Full Story.

Alfa offers two extra 147 doors for £500

5 June 2001: Getting a couple of extra doors on an Alfa 147 will cost around £500 more than the current 3-door range, but there's more to the 'baby' Alfa than that as it sets out to increase its market share in Ireland. Full Story.

Mazda developing new diesel engines

4 June 2001: A new diesel engine for Europe is to be developed by Mazda to power its MPV (right), 323, 626 and Premacy vehicles.

The motor will be produced at an annual rate of 100,000 units at its Hiroshima plant in Japan. According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, the new engines will be ready for use next year as the 323 and 626 models are due for a full remodelling. Full Story.

Land Rover seeks women's viewpoint

4 June 2001: Land Rover has introduced a Women's Panel into the product development process, to ensure the views of female customers have been fully considered at every stage.

The group, which is comprised of women volunteers from within the company, extends across a range of levels, backgrounds and areas of expertise within Land Rover.

The panel will be shown anything from vehicle sections, such as dashboard executions, through to full vehicle concepts. Full Story.

Continental to gain from Ford/Firestone split

4 June 2001: German tyre maker Continental AG is to benefit from the recent acrimonius divorce of Ford and Firestone by selling several million tyres to Ford for the Explorer SUV (left).

This follows Ford's decision to replace 13 million Firestone Wilderness Tyres currently on customers' vehicles, at a cost estimated at $3 billion.

The Continental tyres will be delivered to six Ford production plants in North America. Ford last Friday reported a 10.5% fall in vehicle sales in May in North America.

Queries raised about Irish junction design

4 June 2001: The Galway Cycling Campaign have released an information sheet on the implications of Irish junction design practices for road safety.

"The idea is to inform the public about the most common types of junction collisions, so that road users can identify problem locations and take appropriate action," says Shane Foran, GCC safety officer.

The cyclists are focussed on collisions between cars and cyclists but the issues raised apply to other collisions. A comparison of UK and Irish design guidance has thrown up concerns regarding longstanding Irish practice. Full Story.

Ford loses $26m damages appeal in US

4 June 2001: A $26 million verdict against Ford Motor Company in California has been upheld by a California State appeals court, though the plaintiff died last year after first being awarded the money.

Insurance executive Richard Raimondi rolled his Bronco II SUV while trying to avoind another accident and was left a quadriplegic, unable to breathe without a ventilator. Full Story.

Fiat recalls 70,000 Puntos

4 June 2001: Fiat is recalling 70,000 Puntos sold in Europe earlier this year because of problems with the steering column.

The problem could mean drivers would lose control of the steering, the company said. The vehicles were produced between February 13 and May 21.

Fiat said not all the vehicles had the problem, but all of them need be examined.

Ford Focus best-selling car this year

1 June 2001: The Ford Focus, the world’s best-selling car, was also Ireland’s most popular model for the first four months of the year according to figures released yesterday by the SIMI.

Registrations for the Focus in the year to April totalled 4,762, ahead of the Nissan Almera (4,701) and the Fiat Punto (4,609). Opel's Astra sold 3,646 units in the four months.

Almost 25,000 Ford Focus units have been sold here since its introduction. Full Story.

Massive interest in Mercedes supercars

1 June 2001: Some 20 people have lodged orders for the Mercedes Maybach luxury car and the M-B SLR McLaren, two years before they will be available. They each put down £25,000 deposit on the Maybach which will retail in excess of £200,000 sterling and the SLR up to £260,000.

Final details of the Maybach have yet to be released, but the standard wheelbase version is likely to be longer than a Mercedes-Benz S600. Full Story.

Ford extends Transit range with bus

1 June 2001: The Ford Transit range of commercial vehicles has been extended to comprise a new 15-seater bus, which is now available in Ireland.

Powered by a 2.4 litre Duratorq turbodiesel engine, with a choice of 90PS or 125PS outputs, the bus includes driver and outer front passenger airbags as standard, along with anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD). Full Story.

Landcruiser special value for a month

1 June 2001: Following the recently-announced changes in the VRT applicable to commercial vehicles, Toyota's short wheel-base Landcruiser represents even better value and the best buy in its class. However you'll have to act fast before the price rises in July. Full Story.

Hybrid Civic on the way

1 June 2001: Honda is to introduce a hybrid Civic in Japan in December and the car will be sold in the US next year. But the company says the high cost of producing such vehicles means strategy in this direction needs to be prudent.

In the meantime it is considering producing more diesel cars in Europe subsequent to the previously-reported Civic diesel and Accord diesel which are planned. Full Story.

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