John Hearne reports on a welcome move by big car rental firms to ensure greater price transparency for European consumers

Europcar Groupe is “cautious” about the British car rental market as it monitors developments in the UK’s negotiations to leave the EU, although it has yet to see any impact on its 2017 results.

The Special Criminal Court trial of a man accused of assaulting and falsely imprisoning another man has been listening to evidence of garda interviews conducted with the suspect.

The Irish franchisee of car and van rental firm Europcar has been acquired by its parent group for an estimated €26m. Since its Paris flotation last year the French rental group has targeted the purchase of its better-performing franchisees with a reported war-chest of around €500m available.

Nicolas Roche was the toast of the Vuelta a Espana yesterday when he won the 18th stage of the race in a two-up sprint against home favourite Haimar Zubeldia (Trek Factory Racing).

Chris Froome stamped his class all over the Tour de France yesterday by totally obliterating the field on the first mountain stage of this year’s race.

Dan Martin put in an excellent performance on stage three of the Tour de France yesterday, giving the clearest indication yet that he’s ready to contend for stage honours and contest the General Classification in the race.

The days of paying excessive fees for car rental elsewhere in the EU could soon be at an end.

The European Commission has pressed six of the world’s major car rental companies to stop discriminatory practices against consumers renting a car online.

Vincenzo Nibali has vowed to "honour the yellow jersey" by going all out for stage victory in today’s time trial on the penultimate day of the Tour de France.

Poland’s Rafal Majka was thrilled with his second victory of the 2014 Tour de France as Vincenzo Nibali further enhanced his hold on the race leader’s yellow jersey after stage 17.

Michael Rogers claimed a first ever Tour de France stage victory as he outsprinted Thomas Voeckler.

Defending champion Chris Froome was hoping to avoid any lingering after effects of his fourth stage crash as Marcel Kittel claimed a hat-trick of Tour de France wins in Lille on Tuesday.

Italy's Vincenzo Nibali launched a late attack to win stage two of the Tour de France in Sheffield today and claim the race leader's yellow jersey.

Europcar Ireland is offering commuters 50% off car rentals this week to help people get to work while the Bus Eireann strike continues.

There was rare good news on the jobs front yesterday as three companies confirmed they were creating almost 200 positions.

Pierrick Fedrigo claimed France's fourth win of the Tour de France on stage 15 to Pau today as the peloton opted for a day of respite.

We gape as they snake up and up, the chocolate box backdrop not breathtaking because they have none to spare.

A counter attack from yellow jersey Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky colleague Chris Froome saw them move into first and second place overall after stage 11 of the Tour de France as the race entered the high Alps.

Giro d'Italia champion Ryder Hesjedal abandoned the Tour de France ahead of stage seven today.

NICOLAS ROCHE slipped back four places to 22nd on the overall general classification after yesterday’s 16th stage of the Tour de France from St Paul Trois Châteaux to Gap in the south east of the country.

NICOLAS ROCHE’S goal of a top-10 finish in this year’s Tour de France is over after a nightmare day on Saturday when he conceded almost seven minutes to his main rivals and dropped back from 11th to 18th on the overall classification.

Thomas Voeckler successfully defended the race leader's yellow jersey on Bastille Day, but defending champion Alberto Contador lost time to his overall rivals on the first mountain stage of the 2011 Tour de France.

NICOLAS ROCHE consolidated his overnight position of 13th place in the Tour de France after he finished safely in the main bunch of yesterday’s rain-hit 167-kilometre journey from Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur.

Team Sky’s Juan Antonio Flecha and Vacansoleil’s Johnny Hoogerland were today wiped out by a television vehicle as an incident-packed Tour de France suffered further casualties in the Massif Central.

Rui Costa won today’s eighth stage of the Tour de France as Thor Hushovd retained the yellow jersey as the race entered the Massif Central.

Belgium's Philippe Gilbert seized the Tour de France race leader's yellow jersey with victory in Les Herbiers today.

KERRY-BASED payments company Fexco continued to blaze a trail of acquisitions yesterday when it snapped up a Northern Ireland-based car rental company for approximately €8 million.

Avis Europe tightened its grip on the continental car hire market today by acquiring a chunk of rival Budget’s global operations.