Fiat Ireland official vehicle partner for Her Sport Awards

Fiat Ireland is the official vehicle partner for the Her Sport Awards presented by Lidl, taking place on Friday, 23 January 2026 at The Helix, Dublin, writes Trish Whelan. Now in its eight year, the Her Sport Awards honours athletes, teams, coaches and volunteers whose performances and influence continue to shape Irish sport. 

As part of the partnership, Fiat Ireland will deliver a series of exclusive experiences in the lead-up to the Awards, including VIP guest arrivals in Fiat Ireland vehicles, a competition and behind-the-scenes content created with Her Sport. 

Niamh Tallon, Founder of Her Sport, said: "Fiat’s support sends a powerful message: women’s sport deserves recognition, investment, and a stage to shine". 

Ciaran Cusack, Brand and Communications Manager at Fiat Ireland, said this partnership ‘builds on Fiat’s wider support of Irish sport, including our ongoing partnership with Team Ireland, and reflects our commitment to baking talent, ambition and achievement at every level’. 

Public voting is now open giving fans across the country the chance to support the women who made 2025 a defining year for Irish sport. Voting ends on Friday, 16 January. Voting and ticket info at awards.hersport.ie

Suzuki announces Dealers of the Year for 2025

Suzuki Ireland announced the winners of its 2025 Dealer of the Year awards at its recent award ceremony held at Carton House, Maynooth, with representatives from Suzuki’s 24 dealer networks in attendance, writes Trish Whelan. 

The awards were presented by Board members from Suzuki and included long service recognition and sales of 100 cars by a dealer over the 12 months. Takanori Suzuki, Managing Director Suzuki GB and Republic of Ireland said he was incredibly proud of their Irish dealer network who have achieved a record market share plus a record 2,350 units sold to date. 

A special Suzuki Fellowship Award for outstanding contribution to the company was made to Declan Maguire, Commercial Manager, and Michael McBarron, National Sales Manager, both of Suzuki Ireland 'in recognition of their strong support in maintaining Suzuki as a very successful brand, particularly in a highly competitive market'. 

The eight dealers joining the Suzuki 100 Club (pictured top) are Barry Browne Cars, Cassidy Motors, Thomas Farrell & Sons Garage, Windsor Airton, Hinchy’s Garage, Gerry Caffrey Motors, Mongey Plunkett Motors, and Kevin O’Leary Suzuki. 

A Long Service Awards was made to John Kelleher (Salthill) who joined the brand in 1985; the Aftersales Customer Experience dealer of the year award was handed to Dineen O’Donaghue (Killarney), and best dealer in Aftersales was awarded to Mongey Plunkett Motors (Dublin). 

The overall Sales Dealer of the Year Award for 2025 was awarded to Barry Browne Cars, a family run business who have represented Suzuki for over 25 years, with two retail outlets in Milford and Donegal Town. Michael McBarron accepted the award on behalf of Barry Browne Cars.

Renault and Dacia 2025 dealership awards announced

Kevin O’Leary Dacia in Clonmel, Co Tipperary has been announced as the Dacia Dealer 2025 at the Dealership Convention recently held in Kilkenny, writes Trish Whelan. The award was presented by Seamus Morgan, Managing Director, Cedar Motors to Kevin O’Leary and Barry Fitzgerald. Kevin O’Leary Group is a well-established family-owned Retail Group established in 1961 with its Dacia and Renault dealership opening in Clonmel in 2022. 

P O’Brien Motor Group in Mullingar in Co Westmeath, established 62 years ago, won the Renault Dealer 2025 award. The presentation was made by Seamus Morgan of Cedar Motors to Ciaran O’Brien and Mark Mullen of P O’Brien’s Renault.

John Linnane Motors does the double at Opel awards

John Linnane Motors, Main Opel Dealer in Wicklow, has been crowned the overall winner of the Opel Dealer of the Year award, writes Trish Whelan. In a double celebration, the dealership also picked up a second gong, the Opel Aftersales Dealer of the year accolade. 

Dealer Principal, John Linnane, together with his wife, Aedeen, and sons, Charlie and Aaron, were presented with the trophies at an Opel dealer network conference at Gowan Auto, Citywest on 7 October. The conference served as the Opel dealer launch of the new Frontera, first units of which are now in showrooms nationwide. 

A family owned and run business, John Linnane Motors of Rathnew, Co Wicklow, was appointed an Opel Dealer in 2006. The operation spans new vehicle sales, parts, servicing, used car sales, and lease and hire solutions. 

The award was presented by James Brooks, Managing Director at Opel Ireland who said the dealership has been synonymous with the Opel brand for almost two decades and has consistently and enthusiastically embraced every facet of their business in 2025 across sales, marketing and after sales. 

John Linnane said he was delighted ‘to bring two massive trophies home to Wicklow’. He thanked all his team for their dedication to the company, and his valued customers for their support throughout the years. 

Pictured at the awards ceremony were: Richard Dillon, Head of Retail Sales at Opel Ireland; Aedeen, Aaron and John Linnane; James Brooks, Managing Director at Opel Ireland. 

 

Another award for Opel's Astra

Opel's current Astra has been given a Red Dot award for Product Design, writes Brian Byrne.

It's the latest to a string of accolades for the car, which include Continental Tyres Irish Compact Car of the Year 2023, German Compact Car of the Year 2023 and a Golden Steering Wheel 2022 award.

The Red Dot Awards are more than 60 years old and are given for innovative design of products across 60 countries. The Astra is available in petrol, diesel, plug-in electric hybrid and soon will be offered as a fully electric 5-door hatchback and Sports Tourer estate. 

World Car of the Year Awards 2023

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the overall winner of the World Car of the Year Awards 2023, writes Brian Byrne. It was in against the BMW X1/iX1 and the Kia Niro. 

In categories, the Lucid Air electric car produced in the US won the World Luxury Car accolade, against the BMW 7 Series/i7 and the Genesis G90.

Kia's EV6 GT took the World Performance Car title, against the Nissan Z and the Toyota GR Corolla.

The Ioniq 6 also won the World Electric Vehicle title, from the BMW i7 and the Lucid Air; and the World Car Design of the year, from the Range Rover and the Lucid Air.

The Citroen C3 won the World Urban Car slot, from the ORA Funky Cat and the Volkswagen Taigo.

The World Car Awards are decided by more than a hundred jurors worldwide and this is the 19th year. The 2023 awards were announced last week at the New York Auto Show. 

Kia Niro wins overall award in Women's World Car of the Year 2023

The Kia Niro has been named Women's Best Car of the World 2023, writes Brian Byrne. The accolade was announced on International Women's Day yesterday, having been chosen by a majority of 63 women motoring journalists from 43 countries across five continents.

In all, a total of 59 candidate cars were tested for the 2023 Awards, with the seconf generation Niro being chosen in the category awards as the Best Urban Model. Other category winners were the Jeep Avenger, that brand's first electric vehicle and not yet on sale here, voted the Best Family SUV. Nissan's X-Trail is the Best Large SUV, the Audi RS3 is the Best Performance Car, and Ford's latest Ranger the Best 4x4 & Pickup. The Best Large Car is the Citroen C5 X.

Women’s World Car of the Year is the only car awards group in the world comprised exclusively of women motoring journalists. It was created by New Zealand's Sandy Myhre in 2009. She is currently Honorary President while Marta García performs as Executive President. The Irish representative among the 63 members of the judging panel is Geraldine Herbert who writes in the Sunday Independent. 

 

Six category winners of Women's World COTY 2023 announced

The category winners of the Women's World Car of the Year 2023 have been revealed, two of which have all-electric versions, writes Brian Byrne.

These are the Kia Niro, voted by the jurors from around the world as the Best Urban Model in the awards, and the Jeep Avenger, that brand's first electric vehicle and not yet on sale here, voted the Best Family SUV. Nissan's X-Trail is the Best Large SUV, the Audi RS3 is the Best Performance Car, and Ford's latest Ranger the Best 4x4 & Pickup. The Best Large Car is the Citroen C5 X

The Overall winner will be announced on 8 March 2023, New Zealand time, International Women's Day.

Women’s World Car of the Year is the only car awards group in the world comprised exclusively of women motoring journalists. It was created by New Zealand's Sandy Myhre in 2009. She is currently Honorary President while Marta García performs as Executive President. The Irish representative among the 63 members of the judging panel is Geraldine Herbert who writes in the Sunday Independent. 

 

Continental Irish Van of the Year 2015 Category Winners

Ciaran McMahon of Ford Ireland accepts award for Transit Courier 

The Ford Transit Courier and Nissan Qashqai Commercial have been named Category Winners of the Continental Irish Van of the Year 2015 title by the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) Van Jury, writes Trish Whelan.

Key attributes of the vehicles such as load capacity, reliability, overall versatility, cost of ownership and drive comfort are all considered by the IMWA van jury during the judging process.

Presenting the awards to Ciaran McMahon of Ford Ireland, and James McCarthy, Nissan Ireland; Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland (pictured on right) said "In the current resurgent commercial vehicle market which is seeing year on year growth of 50 percent, I am sure that these awards will provide a huge boost for both the Transit Courier and Qashqai Commercial."

Michael Moroney, Chairman of the IMWA van jury (pictured left) said "In assessing candidates for the Continental Irish Van of the Year category awards, our jurors pay close attention to how the vehicles meet the particular requirements of the Irish market - that is why these recommendations are so useful to Irish van / commercial drivers and fleet managers."

The Small Van of the Year and SUV Commercial of the Year titles are category awards under the umbrella of the Continental Irish Van of the Year. The overall Continental Irish Van of the Year award for 2015 was won by the Ford Transit.

The results for the Continental Irish Van of the Year Awards 2015 have been independently reviewed for the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) by Ernst and Young, Dublin.

James McCarthy of Nissan Ireland (centre) accepts the Qashqai Commercial award

VW Golf wins North American Car of the Year 2015 award

The Volkswagen Golf has been named 2015 North American Car of the Year by a panel of automotive journalists, writes Trish Whelan.

The Golf (TSI, TDI and GTI) faced the Ford Mustang (coming here this year) and the Hyundai Genesis (not here ... yet) for the car award.

To be eligible, a vehicle must have been redesigned or substantially changed and introduced in 2014.

Six finalists were selected from short lists of 10 cars. The other cars were the Acura TLX, Audi A3, Chrysler 200, Honda Fit (Jazz here), Hyundai Sonata, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Toyota Camry.

In 2014, the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray took the North American Car of the Year award.

The Ford F-150 was named 2015 North American Truck of the Year.

Both winning vehicles are pictured below.

DS3 tops Small Car customer satisfaction survey in UK

Citroen DS3

The Citroen DS3 has received the Best Small Car in the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey in the UK, writes Trish Whelan.

The DS3 scored 79.3 percent in the survey while the overall industry average was 77.2 percent.

The car was praised for its styling, affordable running costs and driver visibility. Its personalisation options and exterior colour combinations also came in for significant praise.

Overall, the small car category winner came in 21st out of a total of 109 models in the survey which ranks the views of real car owners. The DS3 was named 'Best Supermini' in the 2013 survey.

The UK JD Power survey is operated by WhatCar? magazine.

The survey overall best were: 1, Volkswagen up! city car. 2, Volkswagen Golf Plus. 3, Skoda Yeti which also won the SUV category. 4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class. 5, Volkswagen Scirocco.

Volkswagen up!

RR Evoque is TopGear's 2011 Car of the Year

BBC TopGear magazine have named the new Range Rover Evoque as their 2011 Car of the Year.

The Evoque came top in the SUV category of the annual awards in the UK and was also picked by TopGear TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson as his favourite new car this year.

The Range Rover Evoque is pictured above with its Irish brand ambassador actress Amy Huberman. It's on sale here in both five-door or coupe body styles. It has recently been awarded a top 5-star safety rating by Euro NCAP.

Evoque beat stiff competition from the BMW 1 Series M, Mclaren MP4 12c, Ferrari FF, VW Up!  and Kia Picanto  to scoop the coveted title.

The Kia Picanto was named 'Bargain of the Year' in the TopGear awards (it's on sale here), while the VW up!  was named the same magazine's Small Car of the Year (it's not available here yet!).

Citroen's DS5 was awarded 'Family Car of the Year' by Top Gear which said "DS5 is a well-grounded, slick, futuristic machine, both inside and out'. It will be launched in Ireland in the first quarter of 2012.