GEELY ENTERING IRISH MARKET

Irish motorists will have an expanded choice of Chinese cars from early next year with the arrival of the Geely brand to the country, writes Brian Byrne. The brand's parent company also owns Volvo, Polestar and Smart.

The Irish initial offering will include the electric E2 city car, the electric E5 SUV and the Starray EM-i SUV plug-in hybrid. 

Details of each vehicle’s specifications, pricing and trim levels will be confirmed closer to the commercial launch into the Irish market.

Geely has been available on the UK market for the past year and sold over 15,000 units there in that time. 

ID. TIGUAN INTRODUCED IN IRELAND

Volkswagen Ireland has introduced the ID. Tiguan as the successor to the ID. 4, at a starting price of €38,635, writes Brian Byrne. The move also furthers the brand's electric vehicle naming to use traditional model nameplates.

There are two battery options, with rated ranges of up to 450km and 600km respectively.

First deliveries to Irish customers are expected in April of next year. 

2026 CAR SALES HOLD ONTO YTD INCREASE

Toyota Yaris Cross.

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has reported a 6% increase in new car registrations year to date, writes Brian Byrne, reaching 130,754 compared to 123,855 in the same period last year. 

October saw a 15% rise in new car registrations, with 2,501 units sold. Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) also rose by 7% year to date, totalling 33,638, while Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) increased by 2% to 2,586. 

Imported Used Cars saw a significant 32% year-to-date rise, with 79,969 units. Electric car registrations have surged by 57% this year, with 36,270 units sold, leading the market share at 27.74%. 

The Toyota Yaris Cross, a hybrid, is the biggest-selling model to date in 2026.

VOLKSWAGEN COMMERCIAL VEHICLES 'FAST START' 271 OFFERS

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland has announced a package of customer offers for the 271-registration period, including 0% APR finance across the vast majority of its range, writes Trish Whelan.

The campaign is aimed at sole traders, small and medium-sized businesses and larger fleet operators. The updated Caddy Cargo and Caddy passenger models gain a refreshed design and additional standard equipment including a rear-view camera, two-zone air con, a 12.9-inch radio with navigation preparation and a steel spare wheel. The Caddy range starts from €29,495. The VW Amarok range includes the new Dark Label special edition, priced from €68,695 while the VW Crafter now comes with a reduced price walk of €1,000 for upgrading from manual to automatic models. The Crafter 30 MWB 140hp Automatic is now priced from €43,980. 

The 271 Fast Start offers are available until 30 November 2026 through participating Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles retailers, subject to availability, eligibility and finance approval.

DACIA LAUNCHES 271 OFFERS

Dacia has launched its new ’271’ campaign offering a combination of low-rate finance, trade-in bonuses, and a five-year warranty across its passenger car range, writes Trish Whelan. 

The campaign, available on qualifying orders placed up to December 31st, 2026 for registration in January 2027, includes 0% HP finance or 4.9% PCP finance across Dacia’s hybrid range. 

Customers not availing of a finance offer can instead qualify for a trade-in bonus of up to €1,500, depending on the model. Dacia is also offering PCP finance at 4.9% APR across its petrol and hybrid line-up, with monthly repayments from €189 for the Duster, €215 for the Bigster (pictured), and €225 for the seven-seat Jogger. 

Customers will also benefit from Dacia’s five-year extended warranty, available across the Bigster, Duster, Sandero, Sandro Stepway, and Jogger ranges as part of the campaign.

NEW MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS 'BRINGS NEW LEVELS OF LUXURY'

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has long been regarded as a forerunner for innovation that, over time, trickles down to other Mercedes-Benz models and out across the industry generally, writes Trish Whelan. 

Said by Mercedes-Benz to have been ‘refined in every detail’, the S-Class comes in a choice of seven models: three petrol, two diesel, and two plug-in electrics fitted with EQ hybrid technology. With first-class comfort in every seat, the company say the S-Class can be viewed by corporate owners as a ‘boardroom on wheels’. 

The new model comes with a larger illuminated grille, and new twin-star lamps. That delivers high-resolution illumination field. Controlling everything is a purpose-built ‘MB.OS operating system’ connecting all systems into one intelligent ecosystem. There are more than 150 exterior colours and over 400 interior colours available. 

Petrol models are a V8, S580 4MATIC and two six-cylinder variants (S500 4MATIC and S450 4MATIC). Two diesel models - powered by a six-cylinder engine already developed to meet future emissions regulations - are a S350d 4MATIC and S450d 4MATIC. Plug-in hybrids are a S580e 4MATIC and S450e 4MATIC, both of which link a 6-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor of 430 kW and 320 kW (with an electric-only range of circa 100kms). 

Patrick Howlett, National Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz Ireland, says the S-Class promises owners ‘a sublime ride in all conditions thanks to its standard air suspension, intelligent ‘electrically adjusting’ damping and effortless manoeuvrability'. 

IRISH CAR OF THE YEAR 2027 UPCOMING

Fifty-one new car models are competing for the Irish Car of the Year 2027, with electric vehicles dominating the shortlist, writes Brian Byrne. The awards, voted by 30 leading motoring media jurors, have been running since 1979. 

The awards feature over 10 categories and will be held at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on November 12th, where the overall winner will be announced.  Last year’s winner was the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, continuing a strong run for EVs in recent years. 

Pictured are Micheal Sheridan, Chairman, Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI) and fellow jurors Paul White, Caroline Kidd and Eoin Cuttle at the Irish Car of the Year 2027 pre Awards refresher drives in Trim, Co Meath.