Peugeot powers Landsdowne Football Club for coming season

Landsdowne Rugby Football Club in Dublin has been given the use of a Peugeot 5008 7-seat SUV and a Peugeot Partner van, as part of a partnership agreement with Sandyford Motor Centre, writes Brian Byrne.

The Club was founded in 1872 by Henry Dunlop, and has won the Leinster Senior Cup a record 24 times. In 2017/2018, captained by Ian Prendiville and coached by Mike Ruddock and Mark McHugh, Lansdowne won the All Ireland League, the Bateman Cup, the Leinster Senior Cup and the Leinster Senior League Cup. It is the first-ever Leinster team to win all of these trophies in one season.

Pictured are Joe O'Grady, Group Head of Finance and Business Development, Sandyford Motor Centre; Mike Ruddock, Lansdowne Football Club Coach; Bruce Soraghan, Dealer Principal, Sandyford Motor Centre; and Derry Shaw, President of Lansdowne Football Club.

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FaceItDown clocks up 22m safely driven kilometres

Toyota Ireland says more than 22 million kilometres have been driven by users of its FaceItDown app since the initiative was launched in August 2017, writes Brian Byrne.

If users leave their mobile phone screen down while using the app and driving, they gain points towards rewards.

These include discounts at Q-Park, a free hot drink at Circle K stores, or €50 off FBD car insurance.

More than 49,000 motorists have installed the app in the last two years, and over 36,000 awards have been redeemed by users.

Research shows that when using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, you’re four times more likely to crash than someone who is not using a hand-held phone.

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Mini celebrates 10 millionth

A special event at the weekend in Oxford continued celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Mini, with the 10 millionth of the nameplate since it was first launched in 1959, writes Brian Byrne.

The 60 Years Anniversary Edition car had pride of place with a version of the original in a lineup of 60 cars to represent each year of production, at Plant Oxford.

Launched in 1959 and designed by Alec Issigonis, the classic Mini revolutionised the automotive world and was produced at Oxford until 1968, before moving to Longbridge, near Birmingham, where it continued to be built until October 2000. Between 1959 and 2000 more than 5.3 million classic Minis were built.

Since the brand’s rebirth in 2001 under BMW ownership, sales around the world have gone from strength to strength. Last year nearly 400,000 MINIs were sold in 110 countries across the globe.

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Toyota was Ireland's best selling car brand for July

The Toyota Corolla continues to be the best-selling car in the Irish market for 2019, writes Trish Whelan.

Launched into the Irish market in early 2019 with a completely new design both inside and out, the Corolla has since sold 4,037 models so far this year, 87pc of which are self-charging hybrids. Hybrid models drive in zero emissions mode up to 62pc of the time.

Toyota Ireland has placed in top position for July car sales holding a 12.8pc share of the market according to registration numbers from The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI). Toyota has sold 11,203 vehicles over the past 7 months of this year with 3,152 of these sold in July alone.

The rise in sales follows the addition of four new generation self-charging hybrid models to the Irish market with strong sales across the RAV4, Corolla Hatchback, Corolla Touring Sport, and Camry. The C-HR, Yaris and Prius models also continue to sell well.

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Renault enjoy strong start for 192 number plate

Renault Captur

Renault Group Ireland enjoyed a strong start to the busy 192 registration period finishing Number One in the Light Commercial Vehicle market and with a 10.2pc combined share of the new car and van markets for July, writes Trish Whelan.

In the LCV market in July, Renault came in first position with 20.4pc market share, up 5.8pc on the same time last year, maintaining third position year-to-date. Master, Trafic and Kangoo took the top spots in the large, medium and small van markets respectively. Kangoo finished the month as the Number One van in Ireland while Master maintains its leadership position in the large van segment year-to-date. 

The electric vehicle market continued to grow in July to 3pc share of the market. The electric Renault ZOE had its strongest ever month, maintaining third position in the segment with 12.8pc share, up 7pc versus last July. The electric Kangoo Z.E. was Ireland’s best-selling electric van last month. 

The Group achieved 8.1pc share of the passenger car market in July with Dacia growing market share to 2.8pc.

Clio has taken 9.4pc share in the small car segment year-to-date and with ZOE, Dacia Sandero and Dacia Logan MCV sales combined giving a share of 17pc year-to-date.

Captur maintained Number Two position in July in its class while Kadjar and Dacia’s Duster brought Renault Group to second position in the medium-sized SUV class with 11.1pc share in July.

Scenic is still the best-selling compact MPV in Ireland with a market share of 21.8pc year-to-date.

July saw over €34 million lent to Renault and Dacia customers through Renault Bank, and €170 million so far this year. Renault Bank financed 5pc of all new cars and vans registered in Ireland in July.

The brand’s network of 28 dealerships around the country have special offers for August on new cars and vans.

Renault customers can avail of 3.9pc APR on the passenger car range, as well as 3.9pc APR, five years’ warranty, five years’ roadside assistance, and further local dealer offers on vans. Dacia is offering customers zero deposit and 4.9pc APR for August. These offers are available through Renault Bank.

Patrick Magee, Country Operations Director, Renault Ireland said: “In these uncertain times with Brexit, we provide stability for our customers with low interest rates from Renault Bank reducing the cost of owning a vehicle. We’re looking forward to continued success with the Group as we move further into 192.”

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