Ford develops technology to help thwart car thieves

Ford Motor Company has developed technologies that help thwart car thieves bent on cashing-in this Christmas season.

Aware that shoppers often return to their vehicles to drop off purchases mid-shjopping spree, criminals sometimes use a signal jammer operating on the same frequency as vehicle locking systems to block cars from being successfully locked. These criminals are then able to loot the vehicles unhindered.

Ford's Vehicle Security Department team in Dunton, England, has now developed technology to stay one step ahead of these baddies. For example, Ford vehicles equipped with Keyless Entry remote central locking - in Fiesta, Focus, C-MAX, S-MAX, Mondeo and Galaxy - can detect whether a locking command has been successful, and if not, will resend the command at a different frequency.

Ford worked with police in developing this technology. The Thatcham Category 1 volume-sensing alarm available for the above cars, can detect a thief entering through a window and deliver a high-volume warning to deter the intruders and attract attention.

Audi A4 range open to order

The new improved A4 range opened for orders last week in Ireland, with On The Road prices from €33,040.

First customer delivers are expected from mid February 2012.

Highlights include exterior and interior design revisions, new colour schemes, equipment updates and an updated range of TFSI and TDI engines. Consumption levels have dropped by 11 per cent on average, despite the increase in power and torque of many of the engines. In the Saloon and Avant, six TDI and four petrol engines are offered.

For Irish customers, the 2.0TDI 120 model sips less diesel and emits 119g C02.

Engine start/stop and recuperation is standard across the range. Both the SE and S Line variants now come with higher specification.

Smith's of Drogheda: Celebrating 76 years in Business

Main Ford Dealer, Smith's of Drogheda, on the North Road, is celebrating 76 years in business.

The company was set up in 1936 as an Austin and Morris dealership at premises in George's Street, Drogheda, by Nick Smith. In January 1954, Smith's of Drogheda became a Ford Dealer and since then the company has built up a loyal customer base of Ford owners from across Louth and surrounding countries.

In 1957, Nick's son Anthony took control of the business, and following 41 years of service, in 1998 he in turn handed over to his son, Nicky, the current Managing Director.

Ford Ireland Chairman and Managing Director, Eddie Murphy, paid a visit to Smith's to celebrate the anniversary and presented an engraved piece of Waterford Glass to Nicky. Highlighting Smith's of Drogheda commitment to customer service, Eddie Murphy commented: "75 years in business is a great achievement and I congratulate the whole team in Smith's of Drogheda. Only companies that succeed at providing excellent customer care can hope to reach such an important anniversary."

Our picture shows Nicky Smith being presented by Eddie Murphy of Ford Ireland with an engraved piece of glass to mark the company's 75 years in business.

Take 3! An innovative concept city vehicle for small deliveries

Everybody has two axles so why not simply take three of them instead of two - but only if you need them!

It's that third axel with two wheels that is the key feature of the innovative modular mobility system from Swiss automotive visionary Frank M Rinderknecht and we'll get to see the vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show next March at the Rinspeed stand.

'Dock+Go' is the name given to this 'backpacks on wheels' concept.

These 'packs' can be used for many purposes, depending on your requirements of the day, for work of play. They also solve the operating range problem of electric vehicles in a very clever way - neither unneeded space nor superfluous weight is carried along if they're not needed.

The vehicle would have a 120kms range, but an 'energy pack' with a combustion engine or range extender, packed with batteries or powered by a fuel cell, gives added range.

Ford of Britain 100: Image of the Week, GT40

This week's image tells the story of one of Ford's most legendary vehicles, and one of the most exciting of all time.

In 1962 after failing to buy Ferrari, Henry Ford II challenged Ford engineers to build a prototype racer that would win the Le Mans 24 Hours race, defeating the Italian arch-rival in the process.

After an unimpressive first attempt in 1964, the Ford GT40 Mk II emerged in 1966, claiming the first three places at the Daytona 24 Hours. At Le Mans, it set new speed and lap records, before finishing first, second and third.

The GT40 was powered by a 7.0 V8 engine producing 485bhp with a recorded top speed of 187mph. The two-door, two-seat car had a body made from glass reinforced plastic, weighted just over 1100kg, and was nicknamed GT40 after its 40in height.

A Tribute to this iconic race car arrived in the form of the Ford GT supercar in 2002, this time with a 5.4 supercharged V8 engine with 550bhp, a top speed of 205mph and an aluminium space frame chassis (pictured left), produced to celebrate the 2003 Ford centenary.

Renault offers Clio VAT increase absorb

Renault is absorbing the VAT price increase on its 2012 Clio for customers who order before the end of December.

The RRP for the Clio currently begins at €11,990, though with some promotional offers this can be lowered to €9,990.

The nameplate will be 21 years old next year.

SIMI: Reaction to Budget 2012

Alan Nolan, Director General of the SIMI (pictured) says they are disappointed at the decision to implement the VAT increase on the 1st of January. They had asked the Government to defer the increase until after the first quarter peak-selling period when more than half of all new cars are sold. "We had also pressed for improvements to the registration plate system to address our acute seasonality in sales which we still believe should be implemented even at this stage."

For those with pre 2008 cars, annual Road Tax will go up by 7.5 per cent which works out at an average of about €35. For those who bought after 2008, the C02-based Road Tax will increase by 7.5 per cent for all bands except A, B and C which increase by €56, €62 and €28 respectively.

Alan Nolan added that it is hugely important that the environmental incentive to buy a new car still remains in place. SIMI still fears that VRT and Road Tax face further focus in next year's Budget but welcome Minister Noonan's promise of consultation with the Industry on both these issues in advance of decisions being taken.

"As a result of the Carbon Tax increase (effective from midnight last night) petrol will increase by 1.4c and diesel by 1.6c. However, from the 1st of January next year, with the impact of the 2 per cent VAT increase, petrol will be 3.9c and diesel 4.03c higher, which is 2.7 per cent more than January last year. For the average car that travels 16,000km per year, these fuel tax increases will add an extra €50 to the cost of motoring.

Nolan says: "The increase in fuel duty is another unwelcome cost for the motorist. While none of these increases by themselves may appear to be a major burden, the combination of these increases will impact very significantly on motorists."

Citroen announces post-budget price freeze

Citroen has announced they will cover the cost of the recently announced 2 per cent VAT increase on behalf of their customers. This is available on all post-budget orders until 31st December, and registered by the 31st March in participating Citroen dealerships nationwide.

They say the price freeze will give certainty to customers ordering a new car for delivery in the New Year.

The 2 per cent VAT increase announced in the Budget will have an impact of up to €550 on the recommended retail price of Citroen C5 and C4 Picasso models. In addition, a total of 19 passenger models qualify for Tax B and A road tax.

Customers can also reduce their spending at the pumps with a range of HDi and e-HDi diesel engines from the brand, delivering up to 83mpg for the C3 e-HDi 70 Airdream EGS. This new version of the C3 supermini, emitting just 87g/km, is now Citroen's most fuel and C02 efficient diesel car.

Ford Ireland: Increase in VAT is a retrograde step

Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland believes the increase in VAT is 'a retrograde step both for the whole economy as much as for the motor sector'.

In a statement following the Budget, he states: "For Ireland's top selling model, the Ford Focus, the VAT change will add about €450 to a new car. That is regrettable because in many cases, car owners have deferred renewing their cars over the last number of years, and I really get the sense that every euro counts for a lot of customers in that position." Having said that, he added, "I do think that, even with the VAT increase, there is still a lot of good value out there for customers looking for a new car in 2012.

"The road tax increase represents a significant row back on the C02-based taxation system that was introduced in 2008, as it hits hardest those car owners who opted for lower A and B band cars that produce the lowest C02 emissions. In so doing, the Minister is negating a lot of the environmental gains that the industry has made over the last number of years."

On a positive note, he said he is sure the industry will welcome the initiative on export tax relief which brings us into line with other EU countries.

Fiat 'dismayed' at Budget hikes

Fiat Group Automobiles 'is dismayed' at the news that both fuel prices and motor tax rates are being targeted in the Budget, with drivers of cleaner, more efficient vehicles being particularly hard hit. Here is a statement issued by Fiat following the Budget yesterday.

From January 1st, 2012, drivers of vehicles in Band A will face a whopping 53 percent increase in their annual motor tax costs, while drivers of vehicles in Band B have to swallow an equally unpalatable 44 percent increase. "At the same time, drivers of vehicles in Band F, for example, will only see a motor tax increase of seven percent, while drivers of older (and less efficient) cars with motor tax rates based on engine size, face a more modest and proportional increase.

Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland finds these increases deeply unfair as they specifically target those conscientious buyers who recently opted for cleaner and more energy-efficient vehicles, placing an unwarranted and disproportional additional financial burden on motorists who clearly value the low running costs previously associated with these vehicles.

In addition, Fiat say, there has clearly been no thought given to all of those people living in remote areas, those driving back and forth every day from commuter towns, or those families with young children where there is no other suitable transport alternative. "The Government has also shown little regard for the thousands of jobs that the motor industry supports all over Ireland both directly and indirectly."

Quite simply, Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland sees the motor vehicle as a vital and hugely under-rated cog in the Irish economic machine and not a soft-target luxury to be taxed on whim.

For these reasons, Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland will be actively engaging in the consultation process announced by the Minister for Finance, Mr Michael Noonan, T.D. in his 2012 Budget speech, and will endeavour to secure for the Irish motorist a more equitable VRT and motor tax system while also providing the industry with a new number plate system which encourages a more even spread of sales throughout the year as well as more lead time to adapt to future taxation or policy changes.

New Optima in March

When the new Kia Optima arrives in Ireland at the end of March, it will provide the fast-growing Korean brand with a very attractive mid-sized car, tilting at its cousin Hyundai i40, VW's Passat, Ford's Mondeo and Peugeot's 408, writes Brian Byrne from Nice.

The new Optima has a strong European flavour to its styling and will be brought to Ireland with a 136hp version of the 1.7 diesel engine which has been used in a number of vehicles in the Hyundai-Kia group. In terms of motor tax here it will be a B-rated car.

The Optima in Ireland will also be available with an automatic version.

Prices and Irish specification haven't yet been finalised, but in European markets it will be sold under the banner of 'Affordable Luxury', with a high level of technology and comfort items as standard.

A hybrid version will be coming down the line in the second half of 2012, with a 2.0 petrol engine and an electric motor which combined will provide 190hp.

Hyundai has also refreshed the Soul B segment crossover, with specification upgrades including 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

A new generation cee'd will be launched in mid-year.

Nissan LEAF EV wins Japanese Car of the Year

The 100 per cent electric Nissan LEAF has been named Japanese Car of the Year for 2011-2012.

The announcement was made at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show and this is the first time in the award's 32-year history that an electric vehicle has won.

The Tokyo Motor Show runs until Sunday 11th December.

The LEAF 5-seater family car is on sale here from €29,995. It has the performance of a 1.6 petrol-engined car and can be recharged to 80 per cent battery capacity in around 25 minutes from a fast charging point.

Cork girl scoops top price in Late Late competition

Corkonian Fiona Penny scooped the top prize in the Late Late Show's viewers competition on 18th November.

Fiona, from The Lough, is pictured receiving the keys of her brand new Suzuki SX4 4x4 along with €10,000 in cash from Jerry Breen who has been a Suzuki dealer in Donnybrook, Cork, for the last 21 years.

"I'm ecstatic to be the winner of the fantastic Suzuki SX4 iAWD," Fiona said. "In all my years driving, I have never owned a brand new car, much less one that has 4WD. It's just great," she said when she collected the keys of her car from Breens Suzuki.

Fiona has entered lots of competitions but has never won anything until now. She gave a big thank you to Ryan Tubridy and to Suzuki.

On the handover, Jerry Breen said "It's great to see a local person winning the Late Late Show competition. She will have no bother getting up and down the hills of Cork this winter in her new 4 wheel drive car."

Mitsubishi Motors launches 5 year warranty option

While it already offers a comprehensive 3-year / 100,000km product warranty as standard, mitsubishi Motors Ireland has announced that it will now offer customers the option of an additional two-year warranty for €245.

The 5-year warranty option will be available across its entire passenger car, four-wheel drive, and commercial vehicle range.

Mitsubishi Motors believe the offer of an additional 2-years warranty will strengthen their strong reputation for reliability and value for money.

Mitsubishi also provides a 12-year anti-perforation warranty as well as 3-years home and roadside assistance as standard on all models.

Geely cars heading for the UK market

Chinese carmaker Geely is about to enter the UK's new car market and the first models will arrive at the end of 2012. It will be the first major Western European country to receive them.

The UK's Manganese Bronze Holdings plc (MBH) is to become their distributor for the sale of new Geely cars, the supply of parts, to establish a dealer network and to provide an after-sales service. The UK distributor operation will be known as Geely Auto UK.

They will start by importing the Geely Emgrand EC7, C/D segment sized four-door saloons and five-door hatchbacks, initially with 1.5 and 1.8 petrol engine options. But Geely has a range of models sell suited to European requirements and will be looking to widen their range as quickly as possible, probably with a new model range every year for the next four to five years.

MBH and Geely are already partners in building the iconic London black cabs with production for the UK market taking place in Coventry by The London Taxi Company, a division of MBH, and for world markets, vehicles are produced in China by Geely.

Geely is one of China's fastest growing car manufacturers and already has numerous automotive interests around the world. One of those is the ownership of the Volvo Car Corporation.

SEAT to sponsor Shamrock Rovers F.C.

SEAT Ireland will be the title sponsor of Shamrock Rovers F.C. for the 2012 season, writes Trish Whelan.

The carmaker already works with Shamrock Rovers' midfielder Stephen Rice as a brand ambassador. Woodies DIY will continue its support of the club and will work with the League Champions and SEAT to ensure its continued success.

The club is currently completing one of its best ever seasons, becoming the first ever Irish club to qualify for the UEFA Europa League group stages along with claiming its 17th League of Ireland title.

At yesterday's announcement, Lorenzo Heller, Director of SEAT Ireland said SEAT is 'a huge supporter of soccer on a global scale, so it is fitting that we are the title sponsors of such a prestigious football club.

Shamrock Rovers Club Chairman Jonathan Roche hoped 'this partnership will continue for many years to come, and helps the continued success of the club at all levels including the schoolboy section, the new women's team and their senior squad'. He is also delighted to continue to work together with Woodies DIY who have supported the club for the past 14 years.

Ray Colman, Woodie's DIY Chief Executive, said the company is looking forward to continuing this journey and pledged support to the club as they do battle on future domestic and European fronts.

Mercedes product blitz

With a programme of introducing ten new models planned over the next four years, Mercedes-Benz is well placed to pick up on a growing sales of premium cars, writes Brian Byrne.

That was the view expressed today by Ciaran Allen of Mercedes-Benz Ireland in a presentation of the brand's and the importer's projections for the coming years.

The ten models will have no direct predecessors and will effectively expand the M-B market reach, in compact, mid-sized, full-sized, large-sized and large SUV segments.

They will include a new A-Class (concept pictured above) which in sporty hatchback form will bear no releation of any kind to the current compact MPV bearer of that nameplate.

It will be built on an entirely new platform with front-wheel-drive and a new range of engines. 

Derived from the new A-Class will be two additional new models, both constructed on the same platform. The BLS will be a four-door coupe with body styling inspired by the larger CLS version and FWD. A 4-wheel drive premium compact SUV on the same platform is expected here in 2014.
 
Two new models are planned alongside the current C-Class, and one new one will be developed alongside the E-Class range.
 
Three additional models are planned beside the S-Class and an additional model will join the M-Class in the large SUV segment.

In Ireland, against the backdrop of what forecasters predict will be a declining market overall, Mercedes-Benz is targeting an improved market share from a current year level of 2.1 percent to a slightly increased 2.7 percent. This growth will be underpinned by the all-new B-Class, available in January, and the new M-Class and all-new SL roadster—both arriving in March. 

SIMI urge Government to hold off on VAT increase

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has urged the Government to delay the proposed VAT hike until after the first quarter of next year, when over half of all new cars for the year are sold.

Alan Nolan, SIMI's Director General (pictured) says they 'understand that the Exchequer needs to recoup lost revenue but increasing the VAT, during the busiest retail period is unlikely to achieve this; it is more likely to have the opposite impact'.

"If the VAT increase is deferred until after the peak selling period, it will give the Industry some chance of stability next year. Because of the extreme seasonal nature of our Industry, if sales are bad in January, sales are bad for the entire year, and if the VAT increase is introduced in January, we will no doubt see a fall in sales for the whole year, which will have a serious impact on jobs.

"If the VAT increase was delayed until after the first quarter, it has the potential to deliver a real increase in retail activity not just in the Motor Industry, but across all retail sectors which would boost both tax revenues and employment."

Figures from the SIMI show there were half the number of new cars sold in November than the same month last year. They also show a 49 per cent decrease for the month of November with figures for the year on par with last year.

Sales have dropped since the ending of Scrappage, with each of the last three months down 50 per cent on last year and the industry fears that this will get worse next year if the proposed 2 per cent VAT increase is brought in at the start of 2012.

A hat trick of new Dealers for Mazda Ireland

Mazda Ireland has announced the appointment of three new Dealers to its network.

Adams of Tralee, Leonards Motors in Limerick city, and Windsor Motors Galway join the Mazda Dealer network ahead of the crucial January 2012 sales period.

Each Dealership will offer the full range of Mazda sales, finance, repair and after sales services.

The new appointments grow the Mazda network to 25 Dealers, and will fill key gaps in the network and help boost sales volume in 2012.

Michael Howe, Country Manager, Mazda Ireland says the three Dealers are highly sales driven and committed to excellent standards in customer service. He is pictured, seated, at the official appointment of the new Dealerships.

Mazda Takeri premiere at Tokyo Motor Show

Mazda are using the Tokyo Motor Show to world premier their Takeri concept.

Takeri, which hints strongly at Mazda's next generation mid-size saloon, features Kodo; their new design language; SkyActiv technology and i-Eloop, Mazda's regenerative braking system.

Takeri inherits the four-door sports coupe vision of the Mazda Shinari concept car, combining speed and excitement with saloon car styling. It comes with the new Skyactive-D clean diesel engine, Mazda's i-stop idling stop system, and the brand's regenerative 'i-ELOOP' regenerative braking system. Both these technologies achieve huge improvements in fuel efficiency and driving performance.

Also making its Japanese debut there is the new Mazda CX-5 crossover SUV.

It is the first production vehicle to feature the brand's new design language Kodo paired with Skyactiv Technology engines, transmission, body shell and chassis. It is scheduled to go on sale in Europe during 2012.