Shift to lower CO2 cars

More than three out of four new cars bought in Ireland this year were in CO2 bands A, B or C.

These are described as 'energy efficient' cars, according to the 'Energy in Transport 2009', published today by Sustainable Energy Ireland.

The report found that the sale of energy efficient cars rose from 43 per cent to 73 per cent following the introduction of changes to the VRT and tax system in 2008. In the first half of 2009, 78 percent of new cars purchased were fuel efficient.

There has been a marked shift towards diesel-fuelled cars, with diesel cars doubling their share of sales between the first and second halves of 2008.

In the first half of 2009 diesel cars comprised 56 percent of new cars purchased. Average CO2 emissions of new cars purchased in the twelve months between July 2008 and 2009 have fallen by 12 percent.

Chrysler, Dodge brands to exit Europe

The Chrysler and Dodge brands will no longer be on sale in European car showrooms after 2011.

Current mainstream Chrysler and Dodge models will be rebadged as Fiats and Lancias. New models produced by the American brands will also sell as Lancias and Fiats.

Only the Jeep brand will remain from the Chrysler stable in Europe. But Jeep will eliminate the Patriot and Compass crossovers after 2012 and replace them with a single, Fiat-based, C-segment vehicle. The iconic Wrangler will also be substantially revised.

The Chrysler Voyager will become Lancia's replacement for its Phedra. The Dodge Journey will become Fiat's replacement for Fiat's Ulysse. Fiat's Croma will be replaced by a Dodge-based mid-sized sedan. And the Dodge Nitro successor will be sold as Fiat's next Sedici.

By 2014, Chrysler will use three shared platforms with Fiat. Three models will be produced per platform, compared to two at the moment.

The move, following Fiat's virtual takeover of Chrysler-Jeep, completely reverses the programme which was started in 2006 to make the Dodge brand a big one in Europe.

New Porsche Boxter roadster

Porsche is introducing a new, lightweight version of the mid-engined Porsche Boxster roadster at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

Weighing 1,275kg, the Boxster Spyder is the lightest model in the Porsche line-up.

The new model becomes the third version in the Boxster range, joining the Boxster and Boxster S.

The Boxster Spyder features a tuned version of the 3.4-litre flat six ‘boxer’ engine located ahead of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 bhp, 10 bhp more than in the Boxster S.

Opel sale cancelled

Global car giant General Motors has dropped plans to sell a majority stake in its Opel/Vauxhall division.

The company cites its improved financial condition, and says it will begin a restructuring of its European operations immediately.

The sale was to have been to Canadian motor parts company Magna. The EU had questioned a €4.5bn loans deal which had been offered by the German government as part of the sale.