Wheels and Deals: Your motoring news round-up
Featuring up to 2,340 litres of space, leather upholstery, 18” Akira alloys, roll up sunscreens for the rear doors optional automatic sliding doors for easier access and available with either a 2.0TDI 140HP Manual or DSG engine.
Priced from €43,860, the SE is also big on safety too with seven airbags, electric heated and folding mirrors, integrated child seats and other advanced safety features that have helped it gain a 5-star Euro NCAP rating.
Fuel consumption is listed at 5.6 l/100 km (CO2 is 141-155g) with a road tax classification of band C at €390 per year.
Cian O’Brien, Director, Seat Ireland, said: “The arrival of the SE model gives our customers even greater choice and comfort and is sure to be well received.”
Dublin native James Brooks has been elected president of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry.
Speaking at the Society’s AGM in Naas, Brooks, who is MD of Kia Motors Ireland, said that his presidency commences at a time of improved outlook for the industry.
“I hope that we are now turning a corner and that during the course of my year in office we will see our Industry head towards sales of 100,000 units.”
He noted that the biggest challenge in the industry today is to see what can be done to keep the older cars on the road, as safe as they can be, while they are being used. The average age of a car in Ireland is 9 years old, older than most other EU countries.
“It’s very understandable, people having to question their spending on everything when their income is reduced, but to me saving on keeping their car safe enough to be used on the road is a very false economy.”
Honda will be showcasing their 142 model range with a Honda Challenge test drive event in dealerships nationwide in June.
The company says it is setting out to demonstrate the benefits of their award-winning Earth Dreams Technology as seen in the new 1.6 i-DTEC diesel which is found in the updated Civic, new Civic Tourer and the popular CR-V.
For the 142 registration period Honda is also promoting its ‘Honda Now’ PCP finance programme, where you can purchase a new Honda every three years from just €199 per month, with the Civic starting from €259 per month, and the CR-V from just €369 per month. Speaking at the launch of Honda Challenge, Adrian Cole, managing director of Universal Honda Ltd. commented: “When we introduced our new generation of diesel engines we knew we had class-leading cars on paper, however, it has been the real-world performance of these cars that has been nothing short of astonishing.
“Feedback from our customers has been so encouraging, we regularly hear from drivers who are not just matching the official figures, but exceeding them on a regular basis. They are telling us that they stand to save hundreds of euro each year in fuel costs and the Honda Challenge is our way of getting that message out to other Irish drivers.
“We are challenging drivers all over Ireland to come and try out our models to see how fuel efficiently they can drive,” he added.
The Honda Challenge is taking place now at Honda Dealerships nationwide, visit www.honda.ie to book a test drive or contact your local dealer.
Arnaud Leclerc has been appointed managing director Citroën UK & Ireland, with effect from June 1.
Prior to this new role in the UK, Arnaud (39) was responsible for the Citroën brand in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, holding the position of managing director Citroën Scandinavia since July 2011.
Arnaud has held a number of key roles, including managing director Citroën Croatia and regional co-ordinator for the Citroën brand in Europe. Arnaud started in the motor industry in 1997 and joined PSA Peugeot Citroën in March 2001.
Arnaud said: “I am delighted to take up this new position following Linda Jackson’s promotion as CEO of the Citroën brand. This is a very exciting time for the brand globally and Citroën has already achieved real success in the UK and Ireland.”
