New Toyota, Lexus dealership in Galway

Tony Burke Motors have been appointed the new Toyota and Lexus Dealer in Galway. The business is operating from the existing Toyota and Lexus showrooms at Ballybrit, Co Galway.

Tony Burke has a long association with the motor trade, working previously as Managing Director at Windsor Motors Galway and Tom Hogan Motors Galway

Pictured are Dave Shannon, Managing Director, Toyota Ireland; Steve Tormey, Deputy Managing Director Toyota Ireland; (front) Mark Teevan, Managing Director Lexus Ireland; and Tony Burke, Dealer Principal, Tony Burke Motors.

M-B Ireland to step up Star Select

Mercedes-Benz Ireland is to intensify the company's Star Select Approved used car sales drive in the year ahead.

Through more intensive marketing and advertising mirroring their new car campaign in terms of style, impact and frequency, motorists will be reminded of the value that is to be had on every Mercedes-Benz dealer forecourt.

Participating dealers must follow strict guidelines before a used car can be offered for sale under the scheme.

These relate to technical and bodywork examination and repair, parts replacement, servicing, paint work rectification and valeting along with the quality of guarantee that customers get. The scheme includes a 12 months warranty, 24/7 roadside assist, a 30-day exchange plan, SIMI/HPI certification and a signed handover pack.

Sales manager Ciaran Allen said every customer who buys a Star Select used Mercedes-Benz will enjoy the same experience and receive the same level of service and assurance as new car buyer.

Ford, Geely, reach deal on Volvo

Ford and Chinese carmaker Geely have reached a deal whereby Volvo will be bought by the Chinese company in the second quarter of 2010.

In an announcement today, Ford says the deal's 'key commercial terms' have been settled.

Ford says it does not intend to retain any shareholding in Volvo following the deal, but will continue to cooperate with the Swedish brand in several areas after the sale.

Saab deal struggles on

A last-minute attempt by Dutch niche carmaker Spyker to rescue a deal with GM over a proposed purchase of Saab is still on the table.

Last weekend Spyker sent in a revised plan to buy the Swedish brand, following GM's announced decision to close it down in an 'orderly' fashion.

Spyker had previously been in talks to buy Saab, but these were 'terminated' last week by GM.

Saab to be closed

The Saab motor company is to be wound down by its owner, General Motors.

The announcement this afternoon, just two days after the brand celebrated its 60th birthday, follows the failure of talks to sell the company to the Dutch sports car company Spyker.

A previous attempt to sell it to a consortium led by the Koeniggsegg carmaker had also failed.

GM says it will be wound down 'in an orderly manner'.

On Monday, Saab announced it had sold to Chinese carmaker Beijing Automotive (BAIC) all rights to the current 9-5 as well as some technologies from the current 9-3. BAIC plans to start production of its Saab-based own brand of cars as soon as 2011.

A new generation 9-5 unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show will not now be built as a Saab, though it may find its way into another GM brand, possibly Cadillac.

Saab was originally created as a division of the Swedish Aeroplane Company, which had been established in 1937 for the express purpose of building aircraft for the Swedish Air Force. In 1949, as a diversifying from its reliance on aircraft, the Saab 92 was put into production. The 2-cylinder, 2-stroke car later became the 93, its engine with a third cylinder.

A wagon variant, the 95, was added in 1959 and would remain in production for the next 20 years. The decade also saw Saab's first foray into true performance cars with the Saab 94, the first of four Saab Sonetts.

The Saab 99 in 1969 established the brand's styling for the next 20 years and it was also the company's first turbocharged model.

In December 1989, General Motors announced it had bought 50 percent of Saab's automobile division for US $600 million with an option to acquire the remaining shares within a decade. The new generation Saab 900 in 1994 used the same platform as the Opel Vectra and helped the company declare a profit in 1995 for the first time in seven years. In 2000, GM purchased the remaining shares of the automobile division, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary.

In 2005, as part of an attempt to establish the Cadillac brand in Europe, GM produced a 'Caddyised' variant of the 9-3 as the Cadillac BLS. It was unsuccessful in its purpose.

Daylight Running Lights

Against the background of EU legislation which will require all new cars to have Daylight Running Lights from February 2011, the Road Safety Authority is seeking public involvement on the possibility of extending this to include all cars on Irish roads.

If implemented as a policy, all cars not fitted with DRLs would be required to have their dipped headlights on whenever on the road. Studies commissioned by the EC have concluded that the mandatory use of DRL can achieve a reduction of between 5% and 15 percent of multi-party daytime collisions.

Members of the public are invited to send their views on the development of a DRL policy by emailing drlconsultation@rsa.ie or writing to: Vehicle Standards, Road Safety Authority, Moy Valley Business Park, Primrose Hill, Ballina, Co Mayo. Please mark the envelope 'DRL Consultation'.

The RSA has set out its position and recommendations in a document called “DRL Consultation Paper” which may be viewed and/or downloaded from the RSA’s website www.rsa.ie

Electric C30 for Detroit

Volvo Cars will unveil the next-generation battery electric powered Volvo C30 at the Detroit Motor Show in Januar.

The electric C30 looks like a regular Volvo C30 and offers the same safety, comfort, space and four seats as the standard car.

Selected users will drive a test fleet during a two-year trial period beginning in 2011

The car's range is up to 150 kilometres. This covers the daily transport needs of more than 90 percent of all motorists in Europe.

The electric motor is fitted under the bonnet while the batteries (24 kWh) are installed in the propshaft tunnel and in the space normally occupied by the fuel tank, outside the passenger compartment and away from the deformations zones.

BMW shows electric concept

BMW has released details of its next electric car concept, following the beginning of limited public trials of the Mini E recently.

The ActiveE concept is based on the 1 Series Coupe and has a 170hp electric motor specially developed for the concept. Power is from a new lithium-ion battery system, and the real world range is about 160km on a full charge.

It has a 0-100km/h capability of less than nine seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 145km/h.

Road safety warning

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has warned road users to be extra alert and that greater levels of observation, anticipation and concentration are required when driving in snow or icy conditions:

Specifically the RSA has issued the following advice for drivers;
• It takes longer to stop a vehicle on icy roads so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front.
• Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out, carry a screen scraper and de-icer. Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass.
• Remove ALL snow from your vehicle before commencing your journey.
• Snow left on the roof will become loose and can drop onto the windscreen during braking, thereby causing sudden and severe restriction to your vision.
• It can also fall off during your drive and cause injury to pedestrians or a reflex action by another driver.
• Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin.
• Select a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through bends.
• Manoeuvre gently, avoid harsh braking and acceleration.
• To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, using the clutch smoothly and allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.
• Remember that heavy snowfall will reduce visibility. Use dipped headlights and decrease speed smoothly.
• Watch out for black ice, especially in sheltered/shaded areas on roads, under trees and adjacent to high walls.
• Check tyres, including spare wheel, to ensure minimum tread depth of 1.6mm and correct tyre pressure.
• Check in your owners manual and find out if your vehicle has any safety assist technology like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Anti Lock Braking System (ABS) and know how they assist your driving.

All I want for Christmas...

Now, isn't this just the job for recreational and commuting independence? And, at today's exchange rates, about €85,000.

Windsor Airside are Peugeot dealers

Peugeot in Ireland have announced the appointment of Windsor Airside, Airside Motor Park, Swords, Co Dublin to the Peugeot Dealer Network in Ireland.

The dealership brings the Peugeot Dealer Network here to 36. A 7,000sq ft Peugeot showroom will open for business at Airside Motor Park, headed by Dealer Principal, Peter Nicholson on the 2nd January 2010.

Windsor Motors Group was established in 1968 and now employs 300. It already operates eight Nissan dealerships, three Chevrolet and SsangYong dealerships and two Opel dealerships in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Pictured are George Harbourne (Commercial Director Gowan Distributors), Des Cannon (National Vehicles Sales Manager Gowan Distributors), Gabriel Keane (CEO Windsor Motors), Dave Mc Connell (Managing Director Gowan Distributors) and Peter Nicholson (Dealer Principal Windsor Airside).

Cygnet pictures released

Aston Martin has released the first official images of the ‘Cygnet’ – the company's new luxury commuter concept car.

Work on the concept is ongoing and will continue into 2010 when it is planned that it will go on sale, initially available to Aston Martin customers in the UK and Europe.

A run on the beach, anyone?

The Mini Beachcomber Concept is a four-seater concept car with a radically open body concept.

It shows cues for what will be an AWD Mini aimed at the leisure market, for a driver and up to three passengers.

It will have what BMW says is cutting-edge suspension technology, where generous spring travel and extra-large light-alloy wheels raise the entire car to a higher level.

There is an option of a soft roof and lightweight door and roof elements fitting on easily and conveniently within a few instants.

Peugeot reveals scrappage strategy

Peugeot in Ireland has announced a scrappage package offering up to €5,000 off its range of low CO2-emitting models.

Customers qualifing for scrappage can now avail of €5,000 off a new Peugeot 407 Executive model, €3,000 off new Peugeot 207 and 308 models and €1,500 off the newly launched Peugeot 3008, winner of the Continental Irish Car of the Year 2010 award. The Peugeot Scrappage Scheme will run to the 31st January 2010.

A new Peugeot 207 SE 1.4 HDi 70bhp 5-door model retailing from €15,920 is now available at a scrappage price of €12,920. The 308 S 1.6 HDi 90bhp 5-door model retails from €19,555 is now available at a scrappage price of €16,555. The newly arrived 407 Executive model retailing from €26,825 is now available at a scrappage price of €21,825. The Peugeot 3008 SE 1.6 HDi, Continental Irish Car of the Year 2010, retails from €24,780 and is now available at a scrappage price of €23,280.

Some 70 percent of the Peugeot range in Ireland falls into Categories A and B road tax, which qualify for the new scrappage scheme.

Customers who do not qualify for the scrappage allowance will receive a €500 Eco bonus on any 207 or 308 model ordered before the end of December.

Hyundai plays its scrappage cards

Hyundai Ireland has launched a scrappage bonus scheme ranging from €2,000-€3,000 in addition to the Government allowance of €1,500.

This means that for applicable transactions, a Hyundai i10 can cost as low as €8,495, while savings on a i30 Diesel Premium specification of €4,500 bring the price down to €19,995.

The Irish distributors are hoping to mimic the brand's performance in the successful scrappage schemes in Germany and Britain during recent months.

In the UK, the i10 was the most popular car under the scheme there, and in Germany Hyundai had the biggest increase in retail scrappage sales there when compared to other marques.

In Ireland the i10 has been the best selling 5-door A segment car during 2009.

More powerful Z4 planned

A more powerful version of BMW's Z4 roadster will be on sale in Ireland in March.

The Z4 sDrive35is gains improved torque and a faster sprint time of 4.8 seconds to 100 km/h.

It will premiere at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

The car will also feature some extra styling touches over its more 'ordinary' siblings.

Emissions and consumption figures are unchanged from the current twin turbo model, at 9 l/100km and 210g/km CO2.

The BMW Z4 sDrive35is comes with BMW’s seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission as standard

The launch of the flagship Z4 coincides with the introduction of the M Sport models. Customers can now choose to have any Z4 engine paired with the M aerodynamic body styling, 18-inch M light alloy wheels, anthracite head lining, M leather gearknob and M designation door sills.

Freshened S-MAX, Galaxy coming

Ford is freshening its S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs for 2010, kicking them off at the Brussels Motor Show in January.

With tweaks to the sheetmetal and interiors, the cars are claimed to have a more premium feel.

They will also be the debut vehicles for Ford's new EcoBoost turbocharged direct injection petrol engines, as well as improved 2.0 diesels.

The company's PowerShift transmission will be standard with the 2.0 EcoBoost, optional with the 2.0 Duratorq TDCi


The detail changes to the S-MAX exterior include a strongly sculptured bonnet and all-new front fascia, emphasised by a gloss black lower front trapezoidal grille. The rear is re-designed with a more dynamically profiled tailgate and new LED tail lights.

Galaxy gets similar treatment.

Managing charge in your Leaf

As the electric car comes ever closer to being a part of our transport lives, one of the questions is how will owners manage recharging?

This article in Technology Review explains well how Nissan plans to help in this issue with its new Leaf, due in Ireland in March 2011.

AA launches Fuel Assist service

The AA in Ireland has launched a new roadside service for motorists who put in the wrong fuel by mistake.

Initially only available in Dublin, it is envisaged that it will be quickly launched nationwide.

The cost is €234, with a 10 percent premium for non AA members. In the linked audio here the AA's Conor Faughnan offers important advice about what to do if you have misfuelled.

Test Mini Es handed over

Forty electric Minis have been handed over to 'real world' test drivers who are all members of the public, to evaluate the psychological, social and technical aspects of living with an electric car.

The findings will be used both to inform the BMW Group engineering teams, as they create zero emissions vehicles for the future, and the wider world to help guide power providers, policy makers and component manufacturers in their decision making.

The trial is a collaborative effort within a BMW Group UK-led consortium. Additional funding is provided by the Government-backed Technology Strategy Board and the Department for Transport (DFT) as part of a UK-wide programme involving trials of 340 ultra-low carbon vehicles from several manufacturers.

The subsidised lease cost to Mini E pioneers is £330 per month, which includes VAT, insurance, service and maintenance. Over and above this payment, the only other costs that MiniE pioneers will incur are for the electricity they use when charging their car. A full charge at home (for a completely flat battery) costs just £1.50 when using off-peak electricity or around £4.00 when charging during peak hours.

The Mini E’s electric drive train produces a peak torque of 220 Nm and a power output equivalent to 204hp. Drive is delivered to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox. This unique engine and transmission arrangement powers the Mini E to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 95 mph.

Based on the familiar MINI Hatch, MINI E is a two-seater because the space normally used by rear passengers is reserved for a lithium-ion battery.

Galway winner of Peugeot economy test

Oliver Thompson of Galway has won €3,000 from Peugeot Ireland as the overall winner of the company's 'How Low Can You Go' fuel economy competition.

The 11-week competition searching for the most fuel efficient driver in Ireland attracted hundreds of entries. The competition ended at the grand final at Mondello Park on Wednesday 9th December.

Entrants were invited to take a test drive in the World Record holding 308 HDi diesel at their local participating Peugeot Dealer. Each driver’s average consumption over a minimum of 20km was calculated and submitted to the competition website www.howlowcanyougo.ie. On the closing day three entrants had recorded an average consumption of 117.7mpg (2.4L/100km) and a tiebreak was declared.

Three finalists, Donald Barrett, Wexford, John Stephens, Wexford and Oliver Thompson took part in a 10-lap final at Mondello Park where an odometer reading, trip computer reading and average consumption were recorded and verified by an independent observer

The 308 HDi diesel hatchback qualifies for the Budget 2010 €1,500 scrappage deal, announced this week.

Pictured are Siofra Creaven, Dealer Principal, Arch Motors; Oliver Thompson, winner; and John O’Connor, Sales Executive, Arch Motors.