Cash For Cars's Sitehttp://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/feed.xml2017-03-29T18:00:49.361000ZWerkzeugNew BMW 5 Series Touring has more spacehttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/new-bmw-5-series-touring-has-more-space2017-03-06T17:28:32.295000Z2017-03-06T17:28:30ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <img src="http://www.galwayindependent.com/cache/250h1127537.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> <p>New 5 estate arrives this summer, with prices from \u20AC56,590.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Hot on the heels of the new 5 Series Saloon, the new BMW 5 Series Touring marks its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Four engines will be available from launch in June, while the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system will be fitted in two models. Additional rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models will join the line-up later.</p><br></br> <p>The new 5 Series Touring is 36mm longer than the outgoing model (at 4,943mm), eight millimetres wider (1,868mm) and 10mm taller (1,498mm). The wheelbase has been extended by seven millimetres to 2,975mm.</p><br></br> <p>It will be powered by new-generation EfficientDynamics engines, equipped with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol in the 530i Touring delivers 252hp (up 7hp on its predecessor), peak torque of 350Nm at just 1,450rpm, and a zero to 100km/h time of 6.5 seconds. Combined fuel consumption of 46.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 139g/km are an improvement of almost ten per cent over the outgoing model.</p><br></br> <p>The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line petrol engine powering the BMW 540i xDrive develops 340hp, up 34hp on its predecessor. Peak torque, which has increased by 50Nm to 450Nm and it completes the zero to 100km/h sprint in just 5.1 seconds.</p><br></br> <p>Again, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are almost ten per cent better than on the outgoing model, at 37.6mpg and 172g/km.</p><br></br> <p>The petrol engines of the BMW 530i Touring and BMW 540i xDrive Touring come with twin-scroll turbochargers, High Precision Injection direct petrol injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and double-VANOS variable camshaft timing, while new engine encapsulation technology reduces noise and speeds warm-up.</p><br></br> <p>The diesel engines are fitted with a BMW TwinPower Turbo package comprising variable-geometry turbocharging and common-rail direct injection.</p><br></br> <p>On the four-cylinder BMW 520d, solenoid injectors operating at up to 2,000 bar ensure precise fuel metering and clean combustion, as do the piezo injectors operating at up to 2,500 bar in the six-cylinder in-line engine powering the new 530d and 530d xDrive.</p><br></br> <p>Both units feature BMW BluePerformance technology for reduced emissions. As well as a particulate filter, an oxidation catalyst and a NOX storage catalyst, this package also includes an SCR catalyst with AdBlue injection for additional NOx reductions.</p><br></br> <p>The 2.0-litre diesel unit in the 520d Touring develops 190hp, and 400Nm of torque between 1,750 to 2,500rpm.</p><br></br> <p>It does zero to 100km/h in 7.8 seconds, and has combined fuel consumption of 65.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 114g/km. The launch line-up is topped off by a 3.0-litre straight-six diesel developing 265hp and 620Nm of torque.</p><br></br> <p>This engine can be combined with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.</p><br></br> <p>The zero to 100km/h times are 5.8 seconds for the former and 5.6 seconds for the latter. Combined fuel consumption is 56.4mpg for the rear-wheel drive model and 51.3mpg for the all-wheel drive version, with CO2 emissions of 131g/km and 144g/km respectively – an improvement of up to 11 per cent in fuel consumption and emissions over the previous generation.</p><br></br> <p>The eight-speed automatic gearbox is fitted as standard on all models.</p><br></br> <p>It also offers more luggage space, 570 litres with the seats up (an increase of 10-litres and more than you get in a Volvo V90) and a maximum of 1,700-litres, 30-litres more than in its predecessor.</p><br></br> <p>The increase in the luggage compartment’s width is particularly noticeable. Standard specification includes operation with an independently opening tailgate window.</p><br></br> <p>This combines with the optional Comfort Access feature to allow hands-free opening and closing of the tailgate with a carefully aimed flick of the foot under the rear apron.</p><br></br> <p>All models feature innovative storage solutions such as 40:20:40 near flat-folding rear seat backrests, which can be released remotely from the boot at the push of a button as well as load-dividing nets and a practical underfloor storage area in the boot.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.galwayindependent.com/motoring/topics/articles/2017/03/01/4135730-new-bmw-5-series-touring-has-more-space/"> http://www.galwayindependent.com/motoring/topics/articles/2017/03/01/4135730-new-bmw-5-series-touring-has-more-space/</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/new-bmw-5-series-touring-space/">New BMW 5 Series Touring has more space</a> appeared first on <a href="http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/new-bmw-5-series-touring-space/">http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/new-bmw-5-series-touring-space/</a>Audi sales soar worldwidehttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/audi-sales-soar-worldwide2017-03-29T18:00:49.361000Z2017-03-06T17:28:30ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br /><br /> <div><br /><br /> <div><br /><br /> <div><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.limerickleader.ie/resizer/750/563/true/GN4_DAT_7889382.jpg--audi_sales_soar_worldwide.jpg" style="height: auto;" /><br /><br /> <br /><br /> <p>The 2016 Audi Q2</p><br /><br /> <p>AUDI has announced a new record year for sales in 2016 with 1,871,350 models sold since January, representing an increase of 3.8% on 2015.</p><br /><br /> </div><br /><br /> </div><br /><br /> </div><br /><br /> </div><br /><br /> <div><br /><br /> <div><br /><br /> <div><br /><br /> <div><br /><br /> <div><br /><br /> <p>In all five of its largest individual markets [Europe (+7.6%), in North America (+5.3%) with further growth in the plateaued U.S. market (+4%) and Asia-Pacific (+0.5%)], 2016 has recorded more cars sold than ever before.</p><br /><br /> <p>Worldwide, demand increased for the seventh year in a row since 2009, with Audi almost doubling its market success over this period. Audi sales have also increased in Ireland, with over 6,000 registrations recorded in 2016.</p><br /><br /> <p>Commenting on Ireland’s performance, Henning Dohrn, Managing Director of Audi Ireland said: ‘We are very happy to be the number one premium car brand in Ireland, the basis for this success is due to our loyal customer base, committed dealer network, award winning products and our continuous technological innovation.</p><br /><br /> <p>“We are optimistic about the year ahead, particularly with the introduction of new models such as the Audi A5 Sportback, Q2 and Q5 to the Irish market; these models clearly demonstrate our commitment to our brand claim ‘Vorsprung Durch Technik’.</p><br /><br /> <p>In addition to our investment in the product range, our dealer partners are investing in the dealer network, which will see the opening of three new Audi dealerships across the country later on in the year."</p><br /><br /> <p>Demand rose sharply in Europe where two important new models, the Audi Q2 and the Audi A5, were launched only recently. The sustained high level of demand for the new Audi A4 had an equally positive effect on the delivery results. Despite political and economic uncertainties throughout Europe, Audi A4 sales grew by 7.6 percent to around 337,550 units sold, in comparison with 2015.</p><br /><br /> <p>Audi also performed well in Europe with its high-performance portfolio from Audi Sport, most notably with the Audi R8 supercar.</p><br /><br /> <p>In 2016, deliveries of the Audi R8 increased by 31.8 percent to around 2,890 units.</p><br /><br /> <p>Across the entire portfolio, the overall number of customers in Europe who received keys for their new Audi increased by 7.6 percent in 2016 to around 860,600 cars.</p><br /><br /> <p>Audi also posted further growth in North America in 2016: 4 per cent, with overall deliveries totalling 210,213 units in the US market, 4 percent more than in 2015.</p><br /><br /> <p>The Audi Q7 plays an important role in this respect, with the United States constituting its most important sales market worldwide.</p><br /><br /> <p>More than one in four customers of the SUV comes from the United States. Since the new generation was introduced in January, US deliveries of the Q7 increased by a substantial double-digit figure every month. The Q7 has grown by around 60.9 percent to 30,563 units in the market in 2016. Worldwide, around 102,200 customers decided to buy the model this year, up 43.6 percent.</p><br /><br /> <p>In China, Audi increased its overall sales for 2016 by 3.6 percent to 591,554 deliveries, maintaining its clear lead in the Chinese premium car market. The demand for the Audi Q3 increased year-on-year by 27.6 percent.</p><br /><br /> <p>Meanwhile, the delivery statistics for the A3 show an increase of 29.7 per cent to 89,213 units.</p><br /><br /> <p>read more: <a href="http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/motoring-news/236471/audi-sales-soar-worldwide.html"> </a><a href="http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/motoring-news/236471/audi-sales-soar-worldwide.html">http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/motoring-news/236471/audi-sales-soar-worldwide.html</a></p><br /><br /> </div><br /><br /> </div><br /><br /> </div><br /><br /> </div><br /><br /> </div><br /><br /> <p>The post <a href="http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/audi-sales-soar-worldwide/">Audi sales soar worldwide</a> appeared first on <a href="http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/"> </a><a href="http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/">http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/audi-sales-soar-worldwide/">http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/audi-sales-soar-worldwide/</a>RSA issues seatbelt warning to Kildare motorists after startling surveyhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/rsa-issues-seatbelt-warning-to-kildare-motorists-after-startling-survey2017-03-06T17:28:31.514000Z2017-03-06T17:28:29ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><img src="http://www.leinsterleader.ie/resizer/750/563/true/GN4_DAT_7964398.jpg--one_in_four_women_don_t_use_a_seatbelt.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div>A survey has found that 28%, or more than one in four, women do not wear their seatbelt correctly.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>A study of 300 women aged 17 to 34, undertaken by the Road Safety Authority, found that they wore their seatbelts under their arm.</p><br></br> <p>The RSA says this can cause horrific injuries in the event of a collision.</p><br></br> <p>The figure rises to 35% in the case of younger women.</p><br></br> <p>53% of those interviewed said that their friends wore the seatbelt under the arm</p><br></br> <p>The main reasons cited for wearing the seatbelt incorrectly were to relieve neck tension (49%) and for general comfort (47%).</p><br></br> <p>9% said it was to protect their tan, and 7% said it was to protect their clothing.</p><br></br> <p>While seatbelt compliance is consistently very strong among young females, it is not universal: e.g. 23% do not always wear a seat belt as a rear passenger.</p><br></br> <p>The Chief Executive of the RSA Ms. Moyagh Murdock, ntoed that “worryingly, whether for comfort or vanity, many women choose to wear their seatbelts under the arm, instead of over the shoulder, which exposes them to terrible injuries and even death in the event of a crash. Placing the shoulder strap of the seatbelt under their arm leaves your upper torso — including your neck, face and head — completely unrestrained during a collision.</p><br></br> <p>“My message to anyone who wears their seatbelt under their arm is simple – wear your seatbelt correctly. The belt should be worn diagonally across the wearer’s chest on their shoulder and never under the arm. If it feels uncomfortable, adjust the height of the belt on the anchor point on the door frame or adjust the seat position and height.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/motoring-news/236362/one-in-four-women-don-t-use-a-seatbelt.html"> http://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/motoring-news/236362/one-in-four-women-don-t-use-a-seatbelt.html</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/rsa-issues-seatbelt-warning-kildare-motorists-startling-survey/">RSA issues seatbelt warning to Kildare motorists after startling survey</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/rsa-issues-seatbelt-warning-kildare-motorists-startling-survey/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/rsa-issues-seatbelt-warning-kildare-motorists-startling-survey/</a>Thousands of UK motorists facing 27m in fines for this small mistake on their carhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/thousands-of-uk-motorists-facing-27m-in-fines-for-this-small-mistake-on-their-car2017-03-06T15:58:33.892000Z2017-03-06T15:58:32ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>Data obtained by Confused.com under the Freedom of Information Act revealed one in four failed MOTs were because of a deficient tyre with baldness being the most common reason for rejection.
That same problem also accounted for 9000 drivers receiving a combined total of 32000 penalty points last year alone.
Driving with a bald tyre carries a maximum three penalty points and a 2500 fine per wheel. However the data showed that on average motorists paid 2700 in fines suggesting many were driving with more than one dodgy wheel.
UK drivers put themselves at risk of paying up to 27 million in fines in 2016 as new research shows 2.5 million drivers failed their MOT tests for driving with bald or defective tyres.
GETTY
The average offender was also slapped with six points on their licence and almost 40 per cent were disqualified from driving.
Amanda Stretton motoring editor of confused.com said: Its pretty shocking to find out that 2.5 million drivers have failed their MOTs as a result of not checking their tyres regularly.
We understand that arranging to have your tyres changed seems like a hassle and we know some drivers are concerned about how big a hole its going to burn in their pockets.
But motorists need to ask themselves if its really worth risking three points on their license and enormous fines of up to 2500 per tyre.
Despite the repercussions convenience appears to be the main reason why motorists are continuing to drive after realising their tyres are illegal.
GETTY
Thousands of UK motorists dont bother checking their tyres until its too late
More than a third (34 per cent) did not get their tyres changed straight away because they didnt have time while a quarter (24 per cent) said they could not afford it at the time. And a further quarter (23 per cent) said the garage could not fit them in sooner.
Lack of education about the legality of driving with bald or defective tyres seems to play a role too.
Over half (52 per cent) of motorists feel more should be done to help people understand the law. And one in two (50 per cent) agree that more should be done to raise awareness of the dangers of driving with bald or defective tyres. Over half (52 per cent) say they would find it helpful to have an alert or warning before their tyres are worn below the legal tread depth.
Website Confused.com has launched an online tyre tool which allows drivers to compare tyres and book a fitting for a single pay-on-the-day fee.
Drivers can compare the cost of budget mid-range and premium tyres by entering their car registration picking their tyres and choosing from a range of local fitters at a time and date to suit them.
Read more:http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/767240/Thousands-UK-motorists-27m-fines-MOT-fail-bald-tyres
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via Cash For Cars - Locations http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/thousands-uk-motorists-facing-27m-fines-small-mistake-car/</div>
Toyota Ireland sees spike in demand for hybridshttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/toyota-ireland-sees-spike-in-demand-for-hybrids2017-03-04T15:58:15.648000Z2017-03-04T15:58:14ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <img src="http://www.galwayindependent.com/cache/250h1131756.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> <p>Part-battery sales up by 128 per cent.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Toyota Ireland has announced another significant increase in hybrid sales in Ireland in 2017, signifying that hybrid is now moving towards mainstream popularity. The proven hybrid technology that, unlike electric vehicles, you don’t have to plug in, has seen Toyota experience a 128 per cent increase in sales of hybrid vehicles in 2017 compared to last year.</p><br></br> <p>Over 70 per cent of orders for Toyota’s new C-SUV, the C-HR which launched in the Irish market in November 2016 are hybrid while 40 per cent of Toyota Auris and 35 per cent of Toyota Yaris sales in 2017 have been hybrid vehicles.</p><br></br> <p>This latest announcement comes a week after Toyota revealed that global sales of hybrid cars has surpassed 10 million units, further enhancing Toyota’s leadership in hybrid technology. In Ireland, hybrid vehicles now make up a total of 3.5 per cent of the market, up from 1.5 per cent last year. In tandem, sales of diesel vehicles have dropped, this year accounting for 66 per cent of the market – down from 71 per cent last year.</p><br></br> <p>Combining a petrol engine and an electric motor means that Toyota hybrids can deliver very low emissions without the compromise of range anxiety that comes with a pure electric vehicle. In addition, Toyota hybrid emits up to 90 per cent less NOX emissions, compared to a diesel, which are harmful to human health, thereby helping to improve air quality.</p><br></br> <p>Commenting on the announcement, Michael Gaynor, Toyota Ireland Marketing Director said, “The latest sales figures for Toyota petrol hybrid vehicles are definitive proof that Irish customers are more interested in switching to alternatives from diesel than ever before. We are delighted to see such strong growth in Hybrid sales and with over seven models to choose from within the range, Toyota has a hybrid for every Irish driver. Customer demand for hybrid C-HR now accounts for 70 per cent of orders. This is a sea change within the C-SUV segment which is traditionally dominated by diesel.“</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.galwayindependent.com/motoring/topics/articles/2017/03/01/4135726-toyota-ireland-sees-spike-in-demand-for-hybrids/"> http://www.galwayindependent.com/motoring/topics/articles/2017/03/01/4135726-toyota-ireland-sees-spike-in-demand-for-hybrids/</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/toyota-ireland-sees-spike-demand-hybrids/">Toyota Ireland sees spike in demand for hybrids</a> appeared first on <a href="http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/toyota-ireland-sees-spike-demand-hybrids/">http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/toyota-ireland-sees-spike-demand-hybrids/</a>1917 – 2017: Ford celebrates 100 years in Irelandhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/1917-2017-ford-celebrates-100-years-in-ireland2017-03-04T15:58:14.664000Z2017-03-04T15:58:13ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <img src="http://www.leinsterleader.ie/resizer/750/563/true/GN4_DAT_7916975.jpg--1917___2017__ford_celebrates_100_years_in_ireland.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> <p>Actor Aidan Quinn in the advertisement for Ford</p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div>It is exactly 100 years since Henry Ford established the Ford factory on the Marina in Cork city, and Ford Ireland plans to mark the centenary through a number of exciting initiatives in 2017.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Ford has launched an extensive and impactful new marketing campaign based around the company’s Irish centenary. Irish-American actor Aidan Quinn features in a campaign which is already becoming familiar to Irish motorists.</p><br></br> <p><em>Continue reading below…</em></p><br></br> <p></p><br></br> <p>There are many activities, promotions and events planned throughout the year, with one of the highlights being a Gala Dinner Event at City Hall on April 21 to mark the actual centenary.</p><br></br> <p>Commenting on the centenary, Ciarán McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland, said: “Ford has a unique heritage in Ireland, not only through the company’s close family links with Cork but also through the Cork Ford factory and of course many decades of much-loved Ford cars and vans on Irish roads. And we are still to the forefront in the automotive sector in Ireland with the widest network of dealers, providing employment, directly and indirectly, to some 1,000 people across the country”.</p><br></br> <p>“Ford vehicles were and still are an ubiquitous sight on the streets and roads of Ireland all through the 20th century and right up to the present day,” Mr. McMahon went on. “The brand’s constant popularity meant that almost every Irish person grew up with a Ford car in the family or had aunts, uncles and neighbours who drove a Ford.”</p><br></br> <p>“The factory is sadly no more, but Ford remains one of the best-selling brands in both the car and van market in Ireland,” he added. “Several of our models including the Fiesta, Focus and Transit are segment leaders while the all new Mustang is in a class of its own.</p><br></br> <p>“The company is also looking to the future as we plan for the next century of business in Ireland,” said the Ford Ireland chief. “Ford is the company with the largest test fleet of autonomous driving vehicles in the world, and in 2017 we will start testing autonomous vehicles across Europe. The company is moving from traditional vehicle manufacture to being a smart mobility solutions provider as we tackle the global mobility challenges of the 21st century.”</p><br></br> <p> </p><br></br> <p><strong>Ford Family Roots in Cork</strong></p><br></br> <p>The Ford Motor Company was set up in Michigan by Henry Ford in 1903. True to his roots, just 14 years later Henry opened the first purpose-built Ford factory to be located outside of North America at the Marina in Cork.</p><br></br> <p>Henry’s father, William Ford, emigrated from Ballinascarty in Co. Cork (50km from Cork City) with his parents and siblings in 1847 during the Famine; Henry was born in Michigan in 1863. Growing up on the family farm, Henry developed a strong interest in mechanics. At first, he concentrated his efforts on making work easier for farmers but he soon came to realise the potential of the motor car as a force for good for the development of societies across the globe. Although he cannot be credited with inventing the motor car, Henry Ford was the man who brought motoring to the masses: the affordable yet rugged vehicles he was producing through his newly invented production-line manufacturing technique – which has since been copied by practically every vehicle and machinery manufacturer across the globe.</p><br></br> <p><strong>‘Bringing it all back home’ – Ford factory established in Cork 1917</strong></p><br></br> <p>When it came time to expand the business to Europe, there is no doubt that Henry’s Cork roots played an important part in his decision to open a plant in Cork. In his own words, he hoped that the new Ford plant ‘would start Ireland along the road to industry’. The setting up of the Ford plant in Cork was the first example of foreign direct investment in Ireland, many decades before the term was even coined.</p><br></br> <p>The company that he legally established was entitled Henry Ford & Son Ltd. and that continues to be the legal name of Ford in Ireland to this day – the only Ford entity in the world to include the full name of the company’s founder in its title.</p><br></br> <p>When the Cork Ford plant became fully operational, Europe was just emerging from a catastrophic World War and Communist Russia was in the midst of a huge modernisation programme so tractors were the vehicles that were most urgently needed. The Fordson tractor was the main product produced by the Cork plant, which in 1929 became the largest tractor factory in the world. However, the factory also produced passenger models, including the iconic Model T. Indeed, the last Model T ever produced by Ford anywhere in the world rolled off the Cork factory production line in December 1928.</p><br></br> <p>In addition to the Model T, the Cork factory also produced all the other main Ford vehicles that were sold in Europe from the 30s right up to the 70s and 80s including the Model A, Model BF and Model Y; Prefect; Anglia; Escort; Cortina; and Sierra.</p><br></br> <p>With Ireland’s accession to the EEC in 1973, Ireland had to comply with new rules that lifted the previous restrictions on imports of fully built motor vehicles into the country; this, combined with a depressed car market in the late 1970s and early 1980s meant that the plant became no longer viable and, regrettably, it closed its doors in 1984.</p><br></br> <p>In the intervening years, Ford has continued to be a strong player on the automotive scene in Ireland and the company has the widest network of dealers in the country with 52 dealerships.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/motoring-news/234386/1917-2017-ford-celebrates-100-years-in-ireland.html"> http://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/motoring-news/234386/1917-2017-ford-celebrates-100-years-in-ireland.html</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://cork.cashforcarsireland.com/1917-2017-ford-celebrates-100-years-ireland/">1917 – 2017: Ford celebrates 100 years in Ireland</a> appeared first on <a href="http://cork.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://cork.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://cork.cashforcarsireland.com/1917-2017-ford-celebrates-100-years-ireland/">http://cork.cashforcarsireland.com/1917-2017-ford-celebrates-100-years-ireland/</a>‘Insurance cost doubled’: Call for swifter implementation of reporthttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/insurance-cost-doubled-call-for-swifter-implementation-of-report2017-03-04T15:58:15.298000Z2017-03-04T15:58:13ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><img src="http://www.limerickleader.ie/resizer/750/563/true/GN4_DAT_7892726.jpg--_insurance_cost_doubled___deputy_calls_for_swifter_implementation_of_report.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div>DEPUTY Niall Collins has welcomed the recent publication of the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance but has called for swifter implementation of some of its key recommendations.</div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>“If implemented without delay I believe the report can halt the trend of rapidly rising motor insurance premiums. While the Government cannot directly control motor insurance premiums, we have always argued it can influence the factors that determine the premium.</p><br></br> <p>“Last June, we called for the establishment of a national claims register and a motor insurance database to record data across the sector. In that regard, I welcome the report’s recommendation that a national claims information database be set up.</p><br></br> <p>“However, I am deeply disappointed that the target is to have this done by the middle of 2018,” said Mr Collins.</p><br></br> <p>The insurance industry has consistently claimed that the cost of awards is the decisive factor in spiralling motor insurance premiums, he said.</p><br></br> <p>“In that respect, the establishment of a Personal Injuries Commission is a step forward but it must act swiftly to address awards that are out of line with international practice.</p><br></br> <p>“I welcome the fact that the Commission will examine the various ‘care not cash’ models of compensation used elsewhere. In addition, the Injuries Assessment Board has to be given stronger powers to be the final decision maker in respect of more claims.</p><br></br> <p>“There has to be a serious clampdown on the issue of false and exaggerated claims as this practice is undoubtedly contributing to sky high premium increases. We are not seeing enough of these cases brought to Court for prosecution.</p><br></br> <p>“The key issue now is implementation. With each passing day, more and more motorists are receiving their renewal notices in the letter-box with massive hikes in their premium.</p><br></br> <p>“Recently, a constituent called into my office and showed me his renewal notice which had doubled from just over €500 last year to over €1,000 this year. Motorists will ultimately judge the effectiveness of this report by the impact it has on their premiums,” said Mr Collins.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/motoring-news/233619/insurance-cost-doubled.html"> http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/motoring-news/233619/insurance-cost-doubled.html</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/insurance-cost-doubled-call-swifter-implementation-report/">‘Insurance cost doubled’: Call for swifter implementation of report</a> appeared first on <a href="http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/insurance-cost-doubled-call-swifter-implementation-report/">http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/insurance-cost-doubled-call-swifter-implementation-report/</a>REPORT: Ireland’s used car industry boominghttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/report-irelands-used-car-industry-booming2017-03-04T15:58:13.896000Z2017-03-04T15:58:12ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><img src="http://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/resizer/750/563/true/1488451603435.jpeg--report__ireland_s_used_car_industry_booming.jpeg?1488451605000"></img><br></br> <br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div>DoneDeal, Ireland’s most visited website for buying and selling cars, has released new data on the performance of its Motor Section in 2016, giving an insight into Ireland’s rapidly growing used car industry and the nation’s favourite cars.</div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>The data showed that the value of goods advertised on DoneDeal’s Motor Section in 2016 was a staggering €5.4 billion, which equates to €14.8 million in the value of goods advertised on the site each day. A record number of ads were also placed on the Motor Section of the website in 2016, as almost one million (991,734) ads were advertised, representing an increase of 9.3% on 2015 figures.</p><br></br> <p>Ireland’s favourite car brands and colours were also revealed, as the data found that the Volkswagen Golf was the top selling car on DoneDeal in 2016, followed by Ford Focus, VW Passat, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. In total, 663,336 cars were advertised on DoneDeal in 2016, highlighting the massive growth of used car sales in Ireland. Black cars were confirmed as the nation’s favourite car colour, with black as the top selling car colour on DoneDeal, followed by blue, grey, red and white cars.</p><br></br> <p>DoneDeal also experienced growth in car dealerships advertising on its Motor Section, as the number of ads placed by car dealers increased by 21% in 2016, with the number of car dealers subscribing to DoneDeal also up 17%.</p><br></br> <p>Cathal Cremen, Commercial Manager of DoneDeal’s Motor Section, commented on the data results; “2016 proved to be another exceptional year for DoneDeal in terms of traffic growth and adverts placed on the site. Once again our Motor Section proved to be the most popular section of the site with 663,336 cars alone advertised on DoneDeal in 2016.</p><br></br> <p>“A significant feature of DoneDeal’s success in 2016 was the increase in the number of car dealerships now subscribing to DoneDeal. This is very much a reflection of the commitment and investment that DoneDeal has been making to ensure we deliver a quality service for our clients. We look forward to continuing to grow the Motor Section in 2017 and remaining the most visited website for buying and selling cars in Ireland” he said.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/motoring-news/238014/report-ireland-s-used-car-industry-booming.html"> http://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/motoring-news/238014/report-ireland-s-used-car-industry-booming.html</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/report-irelands-used-car-industry-booming/">REPORT: Ireland’s used car industry booming</a> appeared first on <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/report-irelands-used-car-industry-booming/">http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/report-irelands-used-car-industry-booming/</a>Kildare town’s Fitzpatrick’s win top motoring industry awardhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/kildare-towns-fitzpatricks-win-top-motoring-industry-award2017-03-04T15:58:14.072000Z2017-03-04T15:58:12ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <img src="http://www.leinsterleader.ie/resizer/750/563/true/GN4_DAT_7949073_1487340264.jpg--kildare_town_s_fitzpatrick_s_win_top_motoring_industry_award.jpg?1487340264000"></img><br></br> <br></br> <p>Gavan Doyle, Martin O’Brien, Alan Mahon, SIMI President Alan Greene, Andy Fitzpatrick Managing Director, Pat Creed Managing Director of Bank of Ireland Finance</p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div>The team at Fitzpatrick’s in Kildare town have scooped a top Irish motoring industry award.</div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Fitzpatrick’s Garage Accident Repair Centre on the town’s Dublin Road, won the ‘Bodyshop of the Year’ title at last night’s SIMI Irish Motor Industry Awards, which were held at the Clayton Hotel.</p><br></br> <p>It is the seventh year of the awards, which were emceed by popular RTÉ sports presenter Marty Morrissey.</p><br></br> <p>Some 700 people attended the awards night, which is open to all sectors of the Irish Motor Industry. Fitzpatrick’s were the only Kildare winners among eight prizes awarded.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/motoring-news/235905/kildare-town-s-fitzpatrick-s-win-top-motoring-industry-award.html"> http://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/motoring-news/235905/kildare-town-s-fitzpatrick-s-win-top-motoring-industry-award.html</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/kildare-towns-fitzpatricks-win-top-motoring-industry-award/">Kildare town’s Fitzpatrick’s win top motoring industry award</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/kildare-towns-fitzpatricks-win-top-motoring-industry-award/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/kildare-towns-fitzpatricks-win-top-motoring-industry-award/</a>Hordes of motorists already caught out by new law on using phone while drivinghttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/hordes-of-motorists-already-caught-out-by-new-law-on-using-phone-while-driving2017-03-04T15:58:14.044000Z2017-03-04T15:58:11ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
A taxi driver holding a mobile phone whilst driving on the A34 near Didcot in Oxfordshire (Picture: PA)
Motorists have already been caught flouting new laws on phone usage behind the wheel on the very day they came into force.
Scores of drivers using phones have been handed penalties and fines doubled to six points and 200 as road patrols on the first day of the law change get under way.
By noon on Wednesday police said they had stopped 31 drivers on their mobiles in Dorset.
One of these was a driver of a 7.5 tonne lorry using his phone while travelling around a roundabout in the Bournemouth area the force said.
Another driver who was stopped by police in Norfolk was responding to a message about her lost puppy being found.
A van driver holding a mobile phone whilst driving on the M20 near Ashford Kent (Picture: PA)
Motorists on the A3 through Guildford using their phones on the day that the points for the offence has increased to 6 points on your licence and a 200 fine. Guildford (Picture: SWNS)
The force tweeted that it had stopped 11 drivers on their phones in the space of just 90 minutes.
More than 20 motoring offences were detected by officers from Kents Roads Policing Unit this morning.
Of those stopped 12 drivers were using their phones four for not being in proper control of their vehicle and another four for driving at excess speed.
A driver who appeared to be talking to a parrot yes a parrot perched on the steering wheel was also stopped after his van was spotted swerving between lanes on the M20 the force said.
An officer pulls a car over as part of a drive to inform motorists of the risk of using a phone whilst driving in London (Picture: Getty)
Hordes of drivers have already been caught (Picture: SWNS)
One driver had his vehicle seized for using a mobile phone while driving not using a seat belt and driving without insurance.
Thames Valley Police said 11 people were stopped for using phones including two new drivers in its first patrol of the day. Another five people were stopped for not wearing seat belts.
A journalist believed to be on his way to cover the launch of new penalties was also stopped for using his mobile while driving.
Other police forces are expected to release figures after a week-long national crackdown.
Around 3600 motorists were handed penalties in a similar initiative last month.
A van driver holding a mobile phone whilst driving on the M20 near Ashford Kent (Picture: PA)
Changes to laws on driving
The new driving penalties include:
New drivers can have their licence revoked if they get six penalty points in their first two years on the road which could now be the result of sending a single text message.
More experienced motorists can lose their licence if they receive 12 points in a three-year period.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said increasing fixed penalties will be a strong deterrent for motorists.
Twenty-two people were killed and 99 seriously injured in accidents on Britains roads in 2015 where a motorist using a mobile was a contributory factor latest figures show.
According to the Transport Research Laboratory reaction times are twice as long for drivers who are texting compared with those who have been drinking.
And an RAC survey found that one in four (26%) motorists admits checking texts emails and social media while driving.
Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/01/hordes-of-motorists-already-caught-out-by-new-law-on-using-phone-while-driving-6481661/#ixzz4aMcAFmca
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Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Reviewhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/mercedes-amg-cla-45-review2017-02-27T09:23:30.008000Z2017-02-27T09:23:28ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p><a href="https://motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/161109_Mercedes-AMG_CLA_45_01.jpg?width=1024"><img src="https://motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/161109_Mercedes-AMG_CLA_45_01.jpg?width=640"></img><br></br> <br></br> </a></p><br></br> </div>
<div></div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p><strong>What’s it all about?
</strong><br></br> As part of Mercedes-AMG’s compact car offering, the CLA 45 is the company’s stove-hot, ultra-fast, small-sized steroidal sedan. It’s the most potent CLA-Class vehicle you can buy today, pinning you into its lush bucket seats at full noise, with a streetwise look via its sporty body kit and big 19-inch alloy wheels.</p><br></br> <p>The CLA-Class was updated ( <a href="http://www.motoring.com.au/prices-up-for-upgraded-mercedes-cla-103534/)">http://www.motoring.com.au/prices-up-for-upgraded-mercedes-cla-103534/)</a> in August 2016 with equipment upgrades, a subtle new look and a power boost for the AMG CLA 45. The AMG’s wild 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine adding 15kW and 25Nm for a total of 280kW and 475Nm – making it the world’s most potent 2.0-litre production car engine.</p><br></br> <div></div><br></br> <p>With an all-wheel drive setup with enough snatch and grab to accelerate to 100km/h in 4.2sec, but claims to offer fuel consumption of just 7.4L/100km, the stylish sedan can switched between brutal and banal at the touch of a button.</p><br></br> <p>Regular readers will know I’m not the best at achieving low fuel economy figures but my week-long drive resulted in 12.8L/100km, which isn’t bad considering how easily you can point and shoot this machine.</p><br></br> <p><strong></strong></p><br></br> <p><strong>How much will it cost?</strong><br></br> Pegged at $92,215, the 2017 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is $2715 more than the 2016 model and is quite a stretch from the entry-level CLA’s $52,500. You get a three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and plenty of fruit with the car, including semi-automated driving functions (acceleration, braking, steering) via adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistants.</p><br></br> <p>Some of the other standard features include the AMG Driver’s Package and Performance Seats (feels sporty), AMG Performance Exhaust (sounds sporty), AMG high-performance braking system (stops sportily), plus a Harmon Kardon Logic 7 surround sound audio system with top-shelf infotainment and sat nav.</p><br></br> <p>It’s a beautiful car to sit in and makes you feel like a prince (or princess) with a stylish and utterly opulent fit out. I love the touch-points too. The AMG gear-shifter and steering wheel are luscious, while crimson seat belts and scarlet highlights throughout add a little razzle-dazzle.</p><br></br> <p>There are a few downsides to the cabin. Cheap plastic temperature dials are a hangover from the A-Class’s $30,000 budget car origins, and manual adjustment of the steering wheel is disappointing. The lack of a 360-degree parking camera ain’t great either… with shiny wheels like these, a reverse camera isn’t enough!</p><br></br> <p><strong></strong></p><br></br> <p><strong>Why should I buy it?
</strong><br></br> In my view it’s not the best value-for-money performance car you can get for nearly $100,000, but it’s exceedingly fast, it’s surprisingly loud (though there are “quiet” modes) and hugely entertaining across a range of scenarios. The way it snarls and barks when you’re giving it heaps is awfully immersive and turns heads quicker than zombie flash mob.</p><br></br> <p>It blitzes the traffic light duels and straight-line sprints with intensity, its seven-speed dual-clutch paddle-shift gearbox visceral control of engine speeds. It rips up winding coastal roads too, attacking apexes with gusto and rocketing from point-to-point with startling pace.</p><br></br> <p>There is a touch of understeer at the limit and it can be a bit firm on crumbly roads but overall it’s a cracker to drive. The cabin is Tuetonic sportiness at its best and the exterior is stylish too, all of which conspire to make this a satisfying vehicle to look at, touch and drive.</p><br></br> <p><strong></strong></p><br></br> <p><strong>When is it available in Australia?</strong><br></br> The car is already on sale locally and for buyers who prefer a wagon there’s the long sausage version too, only it’s a called a Shooting Brake ( <a href="http://www.motoring.com.au/mercedes-benz-cla-shooting-brake-2015-review-51783/).">http://www.motoring.com.au/mercedes-benz-cla-shooting-brake-2015-review-51783/).</a> A high-tech German car with a quintessentially 19th-century moniker? No doubt the British aristocracy will be chuffed!</p><br></br> <p>Despite having a more flexible load space the wagon is same price, $92,215. So unless you have to have the swoopy-coupy look (which is pretty slick) the wagon is the judicious choice.</p><br></br> <p>Mercedes-Benz is working on the next-generation 2.0-litre banzai motor ( <a href="http://www.motoring.com.au/merc4edes-amg-overhauls-engine-line-up-105436/)">http://www.motoring.com.au/merc4edes-amg-overhauls-engine-line-up-105436/)</a> for the next A, CLA, and GLA-Class vehicles that will reach 300kW, but these vehicles are unlikely to emerge until 2018 before going on sale around 2019.</p><br></br> <p><a href="https://motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/161109_Mercedes-AMG_CLA_45_06.jpg?width=1024"><img src="https://motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/161109_Mercedes-AMG_CLA_45_06.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin"></img><br></br> <br></br> </a></p><br></br> <p><strong>Who will it appeal to?</strong><br></br> Well people like me I reckon. Active lifestyle, enjoy the beach, going to bars, pretty hip and happening really. In all seriousness, there’s broad-spectrum demographic appeal here, from young executives and IT professionals through to mature aged rev heads.</p><br></br> <p>Given the almost six figure price tag buyers are likely to be either successful business people and/or criminals who want something small enough to get around town but with enough mumbo to eat up open road miles too.</p><br></br> <p>Realistically it can accommodate four adult passengers, but there’s seating for five. It’s got a certain level of pragmatism and although rear-seat head and leg-room is tight for taller sorts, the boot is surprisingly deep for a car of this size.</p><br></br> <p>Not that I’m suggesting putting bodies in the boot… But they would fit. Anyway, the AMG has a very useful 470 litres is just 10 shy of the bigger BMW 3 Series’ 480-litre boot.</p><br></br> <p><strong></strong></p><br></br> <p><strong>Where does it fit?</strong><br></br> If I was standing in a car dealership showroom having a squiz at this car, I’d call it a small sedan with big muscles. According to VFACTS, the group that records Australian new car sales, it’s a “medium-sized car above $60,000”.</p><br></br> <p>Considering you can buy a regular CLA-Class car for under $60,000 and that it’s 22cm shorter than the best-selling medium car in Australia, the Toyota Camry, I think my definition is far more apt.</p><br></br> <p>Then again, Benz calls this car a coupe, which is just as confusing, considering it has four doors and is clearly not a coupe. Nevertheless, it’s an absolutely bottle rocket with lashings of luxury for good measure.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.motoring.com.au/mercedes-amg-cla-45-2017-review-106000/"> http://www.motoring.com.au/mercedes-amg-cla-45-2017-review-106000/</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/mercedes-amg-cla-45-review/">Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Review</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/mercedes-amg-cla-45-review/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/mercedes-amg-cla-45-review/</a>Motorists now face 80 fine and penalty points for driving too close to cyclistshttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/motorists-now-face-80-fine-and-penalty-points-for-driving-too-close-to-cyclists2017-02-27T07:23:26.187000Z2017-02-27T07:23:24ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
1
Cyclist Phil Skelton (left) Government chief whip Regina Doherty and TD Ciarán Cannon (right) promote their 1.5 metre bill
Motorists are to face fines and penalty points for driving too close to cyclists under a radical new law sought by Fine Gael.
The move comes after 20 cyclists have died on Irish roads in the past two years.
Under the planned law drivers will face 80 fines and three penalty points slapped on their licences if they are caught encroaching on cyclists road space. Fines of up to 1500 and five penalty points would be imposed if an incident ends up in court and results in a conviction.
The minimum passing distance would be set at 1.5 metres on roads with speed limits of more than 50kmh.
A distance of one metre would apply on streets and roads with lower speed limits. The Road Traffic (Minimum Passing Distance of Cyclists) Bill 2017 is being published today by Fine Gael TDs Ciarán Cannon and Regina Doherty the Government chief whip.
They are seeking the support of Transport Minister Shane Ross and the transport spokespersons of other political parties for the law they want to see passed before the Dáils summer recess.
Earlier this month Mr Ross told an Oireachtas committee he was aware Ms Doherty was working on a bill in relation to cyclists and the legislation would be considered once its brought forward. Mr Ross said his officials were also working on a measure to create a special offence of dangerously overtaking cyclists adding: I believe that they need protection.
The campaign for a minimum distance law Stayin Alive at 1.5 was set up by Wexford cyclist Phil Skelton who felt compelled to take action when two local cyclists were killed following incidents with motorists.
He contacted Mr Cannon whos a keen cyclist. The Galway East TD said a worrying amount of drivers seem to have a no contact no harm attitude.
He pointed to the number of deaths of cyclists in recent years and said: It is no longer acceptable to expose our cyclists to huge risks on our roads this law sets out to significantly reduce those risks.
Ms Doherty said the number of cyclists was increasing.
We all need to share the roads and to do that they must be made safer. The only way to do this is to introduce a minimum passing distance law she said.
Such laws have been passed in France Belgium Portugal Canada and Australia as well as half of the US states.
Mr Cannon said a number of mechanisms have been used in other jurisdictions to enforce similar laws. He said footage from cyclists own bike-mounted cameras had been used in Australian courts while special equipment had been deployed by US police forces. The device measures the lateral space around the cyclist and is used by police officers on bikes to catch motorists breaching minimum distance laws.
Mr Cannon said he did not want to drive a wedge between cyclists and motorists but that he was seeking the law to raise awareness of the issue and change the behaviour of drivers who did not consider cyclists while overtaking.
He gave the examples of the smoking ban and plastic bag tax as measures that previously changed public behaviour.
This is about effecting a cultural change in Ireland so that every driver is aware of the vulnerability of cyclists young and old and drive accordingly he said.
Ms Doherty said: Once a safe passing distance is legislated for we need to significantly raise awareness of this law by amending the Rules of the Road and funding new public awareness campaigns.
Read more:http://www.independent.ie/life/motoring/car-news/motorists-now-face-80-fine-and-penalty-points-for-driving-too-close-to-cyclists-35471559.html
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Hydrogen on the M25 brings Britain closer to zero-carbon motoring were first to try the new pumphttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/hydrogen-on-the-m25-brings-britain-closer-to-zero-carbon-motoring-were-first-to-try-the-new-pump2017-02-26T19:23:21.194000Z2017-02-26T19:23:19ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
The first hydrogen filling station has arrived on a mainstream motorway forecourt but can the technology live up to the hype? CREDIT: ANDREW CROWLEY
It seems like a no-brainer. An internal combustion engine burns dwindling reserves of fossil fuels to propel a car forwards in a cloud of poisonous smoke. A fuel cell on the other hand uses the most abundant atom in the universe to silently drive powerful electric motors. The exhaust emissions? Pure drinkable water.
Hydrogen sounds almost too good to be true like something out of a Sixties sci-fi paperback. But from where Im sitting the drivers seat of a Toyota fuel cell vehicle about to fill it up at a motorway fuel station the future seems to have arrived.
Im using the UKs newest hydrogen pump opened this week at Cobham services on the M25. Its the unlikely epicentre of a green revolution. This isnt the first hydrogen filling station in the UK but its the first on a motorway the first on a public forecourt and the first one that might actually encourage private buyers to choose a hydrogen car.
Its built owned and operated by Sheffield-based energy tech company ITM Power which has worked closely with oil giant Shell to bring the project online. This welcome addition to the M25 is ITMs third such site and one that the firm is clearly very proud of.
Its a great moment for ITM says CEO Dr Graham Cooley. Weve been planning this for a very long time.
The hydrogen installation itself is fairly nondescript a small cluster of machinery located a few metres to the south of Shells main canopy. I slip the Mirai into a parking space marked H2 in front of the pump unsure of how far a hydrogen hose is happy to stretch. Its a bit reminiscent of the LPG pumps that threatened to become popular a decade ago albeit much more slick.
A small payment machine sits adjacent to the pump. I give it my special charge card tap my pin number into the touchscreen and after a few moments Im ready to refuel.
The hose itself is armoured with quite a heavy nozzle. It has a unique unwieldiness but is easy to attach to the car and is far cleaner than anything on the fossil fuel side of the forecourt. The interface between the car and the pump is also more intelligent than most motorists are used to an infrared connection allows the filling station to communicate with the tank in a way that improves both safety and efficiency.
Attaching the filler nozzle is easy CREDIT: ANDREW CROWLEY
I couple the hose to the car with a satisfying squeeze of the trigger. I can then let go its a closed system for obvious reasons and all I need to do now is press an illuminated green button. Its exceptionally simple and seems to solve many of the problems dirtiness inexactitude spillages etc encountered when refuelling a traditional car.
The pump automatically stops when the tank is full which takes a couple of minutes. Ive put in 0.7kg of hydrogen which costs me 7. In terms of miles per pound these figures make the Mirai broadly comparable to a similarly-sized petrol car and hydrogens price at the pump is poised to plummet.
Im delighted to have been the first to use the new facility and excited by how user-friendly hydrogen motoring is but the consumer interface is arguably its least interesting feature. The most important part of this installation is around the corner behind some 10ft security fencing. Here lies the electrolyser the machine that actually takes water and electricity to make hydrogen and the beating heart of this environmental revolution.
The 700 Bar nozzle pictured here is the international standard CREDIT: ANDREW CROWLEY
The technology we have allows us to access renewable power and generate a zero-carbon fuel says Dr Simon Bourne ITM Powers CTO.
The electrolyser here at Cobham is designed to use excess renewable energy effectively spare electricity made by wind farms and similar at times of day when it outstrips the countrys demand. The National Grid itself can tell the electrolyser when to activate and the equipment can start and stop in about half a second.That means that its theoretically possible for the hydrogen generated here to use no fossil fuels at all something that gives the fuel cell vehicle a considerable environmental edge over normal plug-in electric vehicles (EVs).
What were doing is generating renewable hydrogen on-site says Bourne. And thats very important because while hydrogen always gives you minimal emissions when its used you also need to consider the wider picture.
So sites like Cobham can generate zero-carbon hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles literally emit drinking water. Im curious as to why its taken so long for this technology to emerge when it clearly solves some of the worlds most deadly problems.
Its similar to using an LPG system but better CREDIT: ANDREW CROWLEY
There was a concerted effort to push hydrogen as a fuel especially in California around 10 or 15 years ago says Matthew Tipper Shells VP of New Fuels.
At that time refuelling and vehicle tech was too immature to be commercially viable. Whats changed in the past 10 years is that the technology has gradually been improved.
Installing a hydrogen pump used to require a major rebuild of the forecourt. Now it can be made off-site and delivered in a shipping container on the back of a truck as a completely functioning refuelling station. Thats made it simpler and cheaper to make this technology available.
The pressure gauge indicates when the cars tank is getting full CREDIT: ANDREW CROWLEY
Its also a question of being able to make or produce component parts using less material the amount of platinum used as a catalyst in a fuel-cell vehicle (FCV) has decreased tenfold in the past ten years. Platinum is the most expensive part of the fuel cell.
Theres still a journey ahead in reducing cost but were in a much better place than we were 10years ago.
A Toyota Mirai owner in London now has a small selection of hydrogen filling stations to choose from but that number can currently be counted on one hand. Given the immense cost of building hydrogen filling stations and the minuscule number of fuel cell vehicles currently on the road this technology is barely in its second trimester. Theres a degree of chicken-or-egg to it too as buyers are unmotivated to buy into such fledgling infrastructure.
We really do need a sufficient number of stations available to the public before its reasonable to expect the public to buy significant numbers of vehicles says Tipper. Were of the view that the stations come first.
If we can achieve a critical number of sites and vehicles well deliver economies of scale for the industry in order to bring down cost. Were interested in the first 1000 stations worldwide. If the industry can achieve that number split equally over Europe west coast US Japan and Korea that will be sufficient scale to bring down cost and for vehicle production to scale up too.
The next 10 years is a critical period for hydrogen to deliver that cost curve.
Read more:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/features/m25-hydrogen-brings-britain-closer-zero-carbon-motoring-first/
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Safety scheme hailed as crash tests show advances in car design over 20 yearshttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/safety-scheme-hailed-as-crash-tests-show-advances-in-car-design-over-20-years2017-02-02T19:42:20.291000Z2017-02-02T19:42:17ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
Two family cars have been crash tested to mark the 20th anniversary of a European safety scheme.
A 1997 Rover 100 and a 2017 Honda Jazz were put through a head-on collision at 40mph to demonstrate the advances in safety since the Euro New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) was launched in February 1997.
The cars after being crash-tested at Thatcham Research in Berskshire
Former Formula One boss Max Mosley the first chairman of Euro NCAP said thousands of fatalities have been prevented as a result of its introduction.
The Rover had no airbags to protect c rash test dummies in its passenger seats during the test which destroyed the front of the vehicle.
The model was given a one-star rating when it was first tested 20 years ago and was withdrawn from sale just months later.
There was much less damage to the modern Honda which had airbags deployed throughout the interior of the car. It was rated five stars for safety.
Thatcham Research which hosts the UKs only Euro NCAP testing facility in Thatcham Berkshire said safety improvements fuelled by rigorous testing have delivered a 63% reduction in the number of car occupants killed or seriously injured each year from 23000 in 1997 to 8500 in 2015.
Over the same period the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed or seriously injured annually has fallen by 41% from 14500 to 8500.
Manufacturers initially opposed Euro NCAP claiming it was too strict and that no car could ever achieve a four-star rating.
Today nine out of 10 cars sold in Europe hold a Euro NCAP rating.
Mr Mosley said: Twenty years on from what started as a controversial programme rejected by manufacturers and supposedly aiming for unrealistic safety standards Euro NCAP is now firmly part of the automotive mainstream.
Thousands of fatalities have been prevented consumer demand for safety is high manufacturers compete on safety rating results and vehicle safety standards continue to improve.
AA president Edmund King recalled his horror at witnessing a Rover 100 being tested 20 years ago.
He told the Press Association: These tests were dramatic. The Rover 100 was described as having improved safety features it had side impact bars and an optional driver airbag but my first sight of the car after the frontal crash test made me shake and feel sick.
Even today looking at the pictures of the half-squashed Rover makes me feel uneasy.
Mr King said the introduction of Euro NCAP has led to safety improvements as significant as those brought about by seatbelts and breathalysers.
Thatcham Research chief executive Peter Shaw called for future safety improvements to be aimed at avoiding crashes such as automated emergency braking to be fitted as standard on all UK cars.
He said: The focus now is all about crash prevention making sure that Britains roads continue to become even safer not just for car occupants but for every road user.
We have come a long way since the days when manufacturers met only the most basic mandatory safety requirements but we must continue to apply pressure.
Read more:http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/safety-scheme-hailed-as-crash-tests-show-advances-in-car-design-over-20-years-35417229.html
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How Ireland is shaping the future of connected carshttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/how-ireland-is-shaping-the-future-of-connected-cars2017-02-02T19:42:18.622000Z2017-02-02T19:42:15ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
The day when you can rent your own car out for short hire when youre not using it is fast approaching.
We are fast entering the sharing and bartering society. Airbnb decisions by An Bord Pleanála notwithstanding has shown how those unused spare rooms and those sparsely-used holiday homes can be turned into low-level profit centres. The same is slowly happening with cars. Already Uber and Lyft ride-sharing services are fast overtaking regular taxi firms and while short-term micro-rentals are largely handled thus far by corporations the day when you can rent your own car out for short hire when youre not using it is fast approaching.
What though if you could make money when your car is parked up and going nowhere? If you could find a way to gain something either a small bit of extra cashflow or maybe rewards such as free wifi access or discounts on products without having to take the risk of loaning your car to a complete stranger? Welcome to the world of the connected car.
Now the connected car is often conflated with the autonomous self-driving car. Many of us have assumed at one time or another that the two terms are roughly interchangeable. However Dr Wendy Belluomini the American-born director of IBMs research laboratory at its campus to the west of Dublin quickly put me straight on my technological faux pas. The connected car isnt exactly a necessary step on the road to automation. The technologies around the connected car are about making the driving experience better. What you have to remember is that if were going to build a car that works all the time as an autonomous car its got to work without connectivity she said. Most of the intelligence for how the car reacts how it functions how it avoids obstacles that has to be in the car physically. Youre not going want to go up to a cloud to ask should I avoid this truck? Other things like routes and where should I go and so on that can be part of the connected car. But the safety-critical autonomous drive capability that has to be built into the car because if wifi or cellular towers go down youre suddenly going to have all these cars that cant function.
While IBM is hard at work on those self-same autonomous fully robotic cars (including the Olli self-driving taxis that whisk IBM employees around its facilities in Washington Miami and Las Vegas) the work in Ireland is more on the connected car on not just how to hook our cars up to The Internet Of Things but to make them productive members of that internet even when theyre sitting still.
Martin Mevissen the research staff manager picks up the point. To give one example of the more connected car project we worked on one particular project involving parked cars. In a city in Dublin city there are parked cars everywhere and theyre maybe considered a nuisance. But we started to think of them as a resource thats not really being used at the moment he told The Irish Times. Cars are parked 95 per cent of the time during the day and they are more and more equipped with sensors computing power batteries etc and all thats unused when theyre parked. So what we looked at was are there not services we can deliver from these cars that could be of use to the driver or other road users. So how can we use parked cars to make everyones lives easier?
So for example you could use parked cars to detect via their onboard cameras and parking sensors empty parking spaces in the vicinity. So if there are lots of cars parked up already you can get them to look for the free spaces and you can transmit that information to somebody driving downtown. So given the size of your own car and using the information gathered by the parked cars we can detect where there are parking spaces suitable for your car near your destination. How many there are what radius around your destination they are in. So it makes it easier to find parking spaces and there is less traffic driving around looking for spaces.
Of course there could then be the problem that too many of us will be converging on too few spaces but IBMs concern is the technology not the settling of kerb-side arguments. The research goes further than hooking up existing systems though as IBM is working towards a total change in the way we interact with our cars.
So the car is really the ultimate Internet of Things device. Compared to your phone which is pretty powerful when it comes to being a connected device a car is potentially hugely more powerful and can be fitted with more sensors and most of all it has this big battery says Belluomini. Because thats the problem with your phone right? Its always running out of battery but a car has a big battery and enough to turn your engine over and start the car. So compared to the kind of power levels that sensors and cameras need theres a lot of excess power there so you can keep sensors and other things active in a parked car and use that as a mobile Internet of Things infrastructure.
You dont have to route all this through your phone. In fact the car industry would probably rather it didnt go through the phone at all theyd rather it would be part of the car and your phone would just connect and give your status to the car and you just leave your phone in your pocket. So if a car is interacting with its driver verbally through natural speech its going to be much less distracting than having a phone and looking down at it for a map or something. We all do that now because its better than not having connectivity at all but the distraction aspect is really bad. But a car is this huge enveloping interface and you shouldnt be trying to interact with the car through this little screen on your phone. I just think it makes sense that the car being such a powerful platform will take on a lot of those functions. The reason why were doing it on our phones so much is because the technology turns over so much faster in the phone industry. The car industry has much longer lifetimes and a longer road map for getting technology into the car.
There are of course serious concerns over the sudden ramp-up of connected technology in our cars and the vulnerability that brings when it comes to things such as hacking and denial-of-service attacks from unscrupulous cyber-criminals. There have been several high-profile cases of late of cars being hacked and controlled even from several miles away but Belluomini is confident that such issues will be overcome. The attacks against cars on-board systems that have been successful so far have mostly been researchers showing that its possible she said. I have not seen nor heard of an actual malicious attack being successful in the wild. Largely those were succeeding because the infrastructure thats currently in the cars was never designed to be connected. The architecture thats currently in cars really dates back to the 1990s so when that was designed there was no intention for it to be connected to the internet. It just wasnt in anybodys minds that there would be sufficient bandwidth to connect these things. But I think thats going to change its already changing. As the car industry realises and theyve already realised to a great extent that they want to put connectivity in their cars theyre quickly ramping up to build the vehicle infrastructure from the ground up to make sure that those kinds of attacks arent going to work.
The things that are being done now the attacks are all working on the basic assumption that once youre in the car there wouldnt be any need for security nor any connectivity. So the bar that researchers have had to get over in security terms so far has been pretty low. So yes we have to do that to ramp up security but thats already happening. Look at Tesla. They had a researcher say that the car could be broken into electronically and they had an update rolled out within 10 days to close that hole. So its really great that the researchers are out there doing those things because theyre showing us what needs to be done.
There is an assumption deep within the high-tech and indeed the automotive community that the drive towards the greater connectivity and automation of the car is down to the fact that interest in mechanical things is waning and people simply want their cars to be extensions of their mobile devices. Belluomini puts me straight on that too; shes a proper car nut. I think its a generational thing. I like cars personally. When I moved here I bought a little BMW 2 Series coupe which Im enjoying. So I dont imagine that Ill ever see a car as just a thing which gets me from place to place. But I can see that that is somewhat changing among younger people and I see the enthusiasm waning. I remember turning 16 on the Sunday and being in the queue at the motor vehicles department to get my learners permit on the Monday. Maybe that doesnt happen so much any more. It isnt as much an important rite of passage as it once was but I dont think people who like driving as an activity are going to go away were just going to become more of a sub-group. For some people its going to be more about extending their online experience into the car just have that be a smooth transition.
I think whats happening and this is not a generational thing is that people now have an expectation that things are going to be easy and intuitive and just work. And weve been taught that by things like the iPad and ordering things from Amazon weve raised the bar of how much unpleasant interface were willing to tolerate. And people get annoyed at things they wouldnt have gotten annoyed at 20 years ago. So I think that the way one interacts with the car is a very important consumer choice. And I think the car makers understand that and the company that comes out first with a truly modern way of interacting with a car that isnt reliant on buttons and dials and trying to work out how to turn on something that you need but is intuitive and the car reacts to you and assists you I think thats going to be a huge competitive advantage for that car maker. People dont tolerate awkward interfaces any more. I dont think were that far away from that point but youll see it in phases itll be an incremental thing. But a small numbers of years not ten or more.
Read more:http://www.irishtimes.com/business/how-ireland-is-shaping-the-future-of-connected-cars-1.2842689
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VW designers explore new shapes for EVshttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/vw-designers-explore-new-shapes-for-evs2017-02-02T19:42:17.985000Z2017-02-02T19:42:14ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <img src="http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20170130/OEM03/301309967/AR/0/AR-301309967.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> <div>The I.D. hatchback is the first in Volkswagen’s new family of battery-electric vehicles.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> <div>Volkswagen is developing a fresh design language for a new generation of purpose-built electric vehicles.</div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Klaus Bischoff, VW brand’s head of design, said battery packs make it possible to change the fundamental shape of the vehicle. That will lead to vehicles that are taller and have short overhangs, shorter hoods, longer wheelbases, more-raked windshields and bigger passenger compartments.</p><br></br> <p>VW is developing a new family of battery-electric vehicles. The first of at least three models slated for production is expected in 2020.</p><br></br> <p>These cars, starting with the Golf-like I.D. hatchback that debuted in the U.S. at CES in Las Vegas this month, will all be based on the new MEB modular architecture.</p><br></br> <p>Purpose-built electric cars, however, pose different challenges for designers, who have had to account for an engine compartment and long hood. EVs such as the I.D., which goes on sale in 2020, generally are taller than vehicles with internal combustion engines, to accommodate floor-mounted power cells.</p><br></br> <p>“To cope with that we need to correct proportions,” Bischoff said in Detroit this month. “Essential for this is huge wheels, huge in diameter — but also wide.”</p><br></br> <p>Because the need for an engine compartment disappears, the A-pillar can be moved forward substantially. This lets designers shrink the hood to essentially only what is needed to meet crash regulations and pedestrian impact guidelines. This allows the windshield to be inclined at a more level angle for better fluid dynamics, he said.</p><br></br> <p>“To gain the travel distance — range is essential — we need to have outstanding drag coefficients, and this will also influence the shape of the cars quite a bit,” Bischoff said.</p><br></br> <p>With virtually no front to the car, overhangs can be extremely short, maximizing the wheelbase and expanding the passenger compartment. VW designers also pushed the dashboard forward by 5 inches to give even more legroom.</p><br></br> <p>“The I.D. has the interior space of a Passat [midsize] with a footprint smaller than the Golf,” Bischoff said.</p><br></br> <p>Also important for Bischoff is redefining the front of his new EVs, taking a page out of Tesla cars by doing away with the front air vents and curtains initially needed to cool the motor.</p><br></br> <p>“We don’t want a grille,” he explained. “Volks-wagen, if you look back [at the Beetle], was born without a grille. The engine was in the back.”</p><br></br> <p>In the interior, VW designers are shooting for the “ultimate reduction” — eliminating console elements in favor of a tablet and a heads-up display enhanced by augmented-reality.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.autonews.com/article/20170130/OEM03/301309967/1657"> http://www.autonews.com/article/20170130/OEM03/301309967/1657</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/vw-designers-explore-new-shapes-evs/">VW designers explore new shapes for EVs</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/vw-designers-explore-new-shapes-evs/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/vw-designers-explore-new-shapes-evs/</a>Cyber security one of safe bets for tech sector growth in 2017https://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/cyber-security-one-of-safe-bets-for-tech-sector-growth-in-20172017-01-25T18:27:51.883000Z2017-01-25T18:27:49ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
Smart cars and major improvements around in-car software will start to impact in 2017
THERE were a few notable growth points in tech last year. Wearable technology grew though not as significantly as forecast at the start of the year. FitBit Garmin and Samsung have continued to expand but there were some casualties including Pebble who ended up with its software assets being acquired by FitBit but for a fairly low value of $40million at the end of 2016. I expect further consolidation in 2017 in this area as significant growth cannot continue with the current number of players.
Social networking and messaging apps grew and as predicted Snapchat continued to soar in terms of use levels but mainly in the 18 to 24 age group. It is expected to triple its ad revenue to $1billion in 2017. Facebook Google Instagram and WhatsApp amongst others continued to dominate globally with regards to advertising revenues and this is set to continue this year.
With respect to 2017 here are some thoughts on what were likely to see hit the headlines in the tech world in the 12 months ahead:
Streaming services will continue to grow and displace terrestrial TV channels. The leaders in the market Netflix Amazon Sky and iTunes will continue to dominate. Netflix has surged to a record high recently with a market cap of $62bn. For smaller media production companies it will become increasingly easier to access this huge channel to market.
Public Cloud revenues will continue on the same growth track as that of 2016 with Amazon AWS continuing to dominate. It is forecast to have revenues of $16bn in 2017 and some analysts are suggesting that it will have a valuation of $160bn yes 10 times its revenues. That is an astonishing growth path and all competitors are mere minnows by comparison.
2016 was a phenomenal growth year for Virtual Reality (VR) as it started to move into the mainstream. Businesses in numerous sectors are now starting to see practical uses for this continually improving technology. The health sector has embraced VR. On a more local level we are witnessing Northern Ireland manufacturing companies using VR in an amazingly inventive way. CDE Group based in Cookstown is now enabling customers to complete real life inspections of equipment before manufacturing has been completed.
Smart home technology will start to become common place and Amazon Echo will play a big role in the modern smart home. According to recode.net Echo and its siblings are expected to see a great deal of competition in 2017 the devices overall capabilities in conjunction with the open-ended Skills platform that Amazon created for it are proving a winning combination. Echo will become the key gateway device in the home allowing it to essentially translate between devices that might not otherwise be able to easily work together. This will prove an exciting growth area for other companies to tap into the food chain of home automation.
Smart cars and major improvements around in-car software will start to impact in 2017. Expect a lot of announcements and activity around the development of self-driving vehicles but dont expect any domination on the forecourt until at least 2021. In the meantime software like Apples CarPlay or Googles Android Auto and other data-connected systems will add intelligence to any car. Additionally there are some interesting new smart automotive systems like Navdy which adds a heads-up display (HUD) to nearly any vehicle displaying navigation information notifications and more. In 2017 well see more car owners make investments to smarten up their existing vehicles technology experience.
Cyber-security will continue to dominate the headlines and a plethora of new technologies and companies will blossom in an attempt to keep the hackers at bay. These hackers are learning to use artificial intelligence to automate their attacks making it even faster for them to break into user accounts. This is big business and we should all expect more and more complex attacks to happen on a more regular basis.
For Northern Ireland companies there will continue to be opportunities to participate in these growing markets or to simply use the technologies to improve their business. We know that cyber-security is a particular focus for Northern Ireland Plc and with the global cyber security market estimated to grow to $170 billion annually by 2020 so it should be. Indeed one of the industrys largest international conferences is set to come to Belfast in May of this year. Northern Ireland already tops rankings for US foreign direct investment in cyber and the strength of the cyber cluster that is developing here has started to be recognised in the wider industry. Watch this space in 2017 and beyond.
Patrick McAliskey is managing director Novosco an indigenous managed cloud company with offices in Belfast Dublin Cheshire and Cork. It employs 140 people and works for leading organisations across the UK and Ireland including many of Northern Irelands top companies UK health trusts councils and other organisations.
Read more:http://www.irishnews.com/business/2017/01/24/news/cyber-security-one-of-safe-bets-for-tech-sector-growth-in-2017-901186/
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When Bentley owners are the have-notshttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/when-bentley-owners-are-the-have-nots2017-01-25T18:27:50.579000Z2017-01-25T18:27:47ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <img src="http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20170123/OEM/301239821/AR/0/AR-301239821.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> <div>That’s nice, but do you own a sports team?</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> <div>You’d think <strong>Bentley</strong> and <strong>Bugatti</strong> owners would travel in the same social circles. They’re all superrich, right?</div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Well, Wolfgang Durheimer, CEO of both of the Volkswagen Group-owned brands, makes it sound like the Bentleys and Bugattis live on the other side of the tracks from each other.</p><br></br> <p>Durheimer described the typical owners of each brand at the Automotive News World Congress this month. He said those exceptionally affluent Bentley buyers frequently own their own businesses. They fly first class, stay in the best rooms at five-star hotels and when attending a football game, whether soccer or American football, watch it from the comfort of their own luxury suite at the stadium.</p><br></br> <p>On average, they have eight cars.</p><br></br> <p>But contrast that with Bugatti owners. On average, Durheimer said, they own 64 cars, and when they travel, they fly their own jet or helicopter (they typically have three of each).</p><br></br> <p>They stay in hotels they <em>own</em>, and when they take in a football game, he says, they are usually watching a <em>team</em> that they own.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.autonews.com/article/20170123/OEM/301239821/when-bentley-owners-are-the-have-nots"> http://www.autonews.com/article/20170123/OEM/301239821/when-bentley-owners-are-the-have-nots</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/bentley-owners-nots/">When Bentley owners are the have-nots</a> appeared first on <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/bentley-owners-nots/">http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/bentley-owners-nots/</a>Audi workers threaten strike at A3, TT plant in Hungaryhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/audi-workers-threaten-strike-at-a3-tt-plant-in-hungary2017-01-25T18:27:50.062000Z2017-01-25T18:27:46ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <img src="http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20170124/ANE/170129944/AR/0/Audi.jpg&MaxW=622&cci_ts=20170124064834"></img><br></br> <br></br> <div>A TT Roadster gets a finish and surface check at Audi’s Gyor plant.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>BUDAPEST — Audi workers in Hungary have set up a strike committee to push for higher salaries in the latest sign of how labor shortages in the country are driving up wage expectations.</p><br></br> <p>The AHFSZ union said in a statement published on Monday that the most recent management offer was “unacceptable” as it proposed to hike wages gradually, while a previously flagged bonus program was scrapped.</p><br></br> <p>The strike committee aims to continue talks with Audi management, the statement said.</p><br></br> <p>A press official for Audi could not comment immediately.</p><br></br> <p>Audi builds A3 compact sedan and convertible cars and TT sports-car models in Hungary at its plant in Gyor, according to <em>Automotive News Europe</em>‘s European car <strong>assembly plant map</strong>.</p><br></br> <p>The action by Audi workers follows a <strong>December agreement</strong> with unions at rival carmaker Daimler’s Hungarian factory that will see base salaries increase by 10 percent in each of the next two years.</p><br></br> <p>The production and export of cars by foreign automakers is a key driver of economic growth in Hungary, where wages for skilled workers are well below Western European levels.</p><br></br> <p>The car sector accounts for more than a quarter of total industrial output in the eastern European Union member.</p><br></br> <p>Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who faces an election in early 2018, has agreed with employers that the minimum wage will increase by 15 percent this year and another 8 percent in 2018, while the payroll tax will also be lowered.</p><br></br> <p>Gross wages in Hungary rose by 6.2 percent year-on-year in the January-November period. The unemployment rate fell to 4.5 percent, the lowest in at least a decade, in September-November from 4.7 percent in August-October.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://europe.autonews.com/article/20170124/ANE/170129944/audi-workers-threaten-strike-at-a3-tt-plant-in-hungary"> http://europe.autonews.com/article/20170124/ANE/170129944/audi-workers-threaten-strike-at-a3-tt-plant-in-hungary</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/audi-workers-threaten-strike-a3-tt-plant-hungary/">Audi workers threaten strike at A3, TT plant in Hungary</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/audi-workers-threaten-strike-a3-tt-plant-hungary/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/audi-workers-threaten-strike-a3-tt-plant-hungary/</a>The VLF Automotive X-Series is a reminder that some people just dont know when to quithttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/the-vlf-automotive-x-series-is-a-reminder-that-some-people-just-dont-know-when-to-quit2017-01-16T15:51:11.661000Z2017-01-16T15:51:08ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
At what point during the long process of modifying a vehicle do you come to the realization that enough is enough? Its a murky line that many people pass straight through realizing far too late that the beast theyve created is really just a big and blocky mess of metal plastic and scraps stolen from far better vehicles. Apparently VLF Automotive hasnt quite woken up from the exhaust-fume-induced daydream that is their latest creation the X-Series.
Through the cheddar cheese paint the faux Hummer grille and the Brodozer wheels you can make out that this used to be a Chevrolet Colorado. In fact if you look through the rear windows you can see that the Colorados sliding rear glass is still in place. That means this isnt really an SUV but a pickup so loaded with composite bodywork that it sits somewhere between truck and Hot Wheels toy come to life.
You see VLF has a history of ruining perfectly fine vehicles. They managed to accomplish something I didnt think was possible: making the Dodge Viper ugly. For all of its many many flaws the one thing that didnt need improving was the Vipers design. Their partnership with Galpin Ford in California produced a less offensive but equally brutalized Rocket V8 out of a Ford Mustang. VLFs third offering makes the most sense. The Destino V8 is the most reasonable vehicle the automaker sells. The looks are only slightly modified from the Fisker Karma from which it comes while the LS9 V8 from the C6 Corvette ZR1 replaces what was a middling hybrid powertrain.
But the X-Series really is something awful. Even in VLFs eye scorching booth the big block of cheese really stands out. Aside from the grille and the wheels you can see that VLFs artisans took their time carving and sculpting something that looks like the bastard offspring of the Hummer H3 and the old Lamborghini LM002. The whole thing is simultaneously militaristic and fragile looking likely because its a one-off concept.
There are functional bits like the winch in the bumper and the big fender flares that cover the oversized wheels. Those are offset by the odd looking rear door the inexplicable spoiler on the roof the quad exhaust tips and the upright C7 Corvette taillights. The suspension has been slightly upgraded with improved shocks and an increased ride height. We didnt get a good look at the interior but if VLFs other vehicles are any indication expect the most mild of refreshes.
Because it was at some point a Colorado customers (of which VLF expects about 250 a year) can have either a 3.6-liter V6 or a 2.8-liter diesel inline-four. Both engines are fine though its unclear how much extra weight the pair may be forced to move around. According to VLF some mild tuning is available for the V6.
If everything Ive written here has done nothing to dissuade you and your desire to own one of these I only have two things to say: first I dont think we can be friends; second youll need to pony up the estimated $70000 for one. That may be the most surprising part of the whole vehicle. Usually these horrendous kustom trucks cost well into the six-figure range. By comparison the X-Series is downright reasonable.
Read more:http://www.autoblog.com/2017/01/10/vlf-automotive-x-series-2017-detroit-auto-show/
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via Cash For Cars - Locations http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/vlf-automotive-x-series-reminder-people-just-dont-know-quit/</div>
40 new apprentices being hired by Nissanhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/40-new-apprentices-being-hired-by-nissan2017-01-16T15:51:11.017000Z2017-01-16T15:51:07ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p>Nissan is hiring up to 40 new apprentices to tackle the shortage of skilled labour in Ireland that has been created by the rapid development of technology driving the demand for connected, autonomous and electric cars.</p><br></br> </div>
<div><img src="http://www.irishexaminer.com/remote/media.central.ie/media/images/n/NissanXTrail2015_large.jpg?width=648&s=ie-429109"></img><br></br> <br></br> </div><br></br> <p>Applications are now open online and successful candidates will be employed by local Nissan dealerships across Ireland before the end of the year and mentored and trained over four years to become qualified automotive technicians.</p><br></br> <p>The top scoring graduate will receive a scholarship to pursue a degree in automotive engineering at a third-level institute of their choice as well as a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan to drive for a year.</p><br></br> <p>The ‘Nissan Generation Next Apprentice Academy’ has been specially developed by Nissan to support the next generation of master technicians and industry leaders who are ambitious and focused on developing a career within the Irish motor industry.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/motors/motors-features/40-new-apprentices-being-hired-by-nissan-429109.html"> http://www.irishexaminer.com/motors/motors-features/40-new-apprentices-being-hired-by-nissan-429109.html</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/40-new-apprentices-hired-nissan/">40 new apprentices being hired by Nissan</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/40-new-apprentices-hired-nissan/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/40-new-apprentices-hired-nissan/</a>Volkswagen Tiguan receives the German Design Awardhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/volkswagen-tiguan-receives-the-german-design-award2017-01-15T15:36:39.350000Z2017-01-15T15:36:35ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
Volkswagen Tiguan
The German Design Council has announced the winners of the German Design Award 2017. A Volkswagen brand model is among this years winners: the Volkswagen Tiguan has been selected as a winner in the Transportation category and honoured with this prestigious and preeminent award.
The German Design Award is the fifth award won this year by the new Tiguan for outstanding automotive design. The Volkswagen design team led by Klaus Bischoff has given the second generation of this popular compact SUV an elegant appearance. The new Tiguan is longer wider and lower in height compared to its predecessor. These new dimensions have been achieved in no small part through the use of the MQB (Modular Transverse Matrix). The result is a striking SUV profile with distinctive proportions and a very dynamic design. At the front the radiator grille and LED projection headlights unit (fitted as standard in the Highline equipment option) emphasises the powerfully upright overall impression.
Established in 2012 the German Design Award is one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world and is highly regarded well beyond expert circles. This coveted prize is awarded by the German Design Council. Founded in 1953 by the German Bundestag as a foundation this international committee is one of the worlds leading centres of excellence for communication and brand management within the design field.
Read more:http://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/motoring/225510/volkswagen-tiguan-receives-the-german-design-award-2017.html
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Navasota: Keep junk cars out of sighthttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/navasota-keep-junk-cars-out-of-sight2017-01-14T16:13:32.191000Z2017-01-14T16:13:29ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p>Those who have an inoperable car to tinker on in Navasota may want to consider where the vehicle is being stored.</p><br></br> <p>The city soon will be addressing “junk vehicles,” a process that ultimately could end in the forced removal and scrapping of unregistered vehicles from private property.</p><br></br> </div>
<div><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3202/2287042226_9286fd051b_b.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Navasota officials define a junk vehicle as “any vehicle viewable from a public right-of-way which has an expired registration sticker attached, is wrecked, dismantled or inoperable.”</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Kris Gruver, community outreach specialist for the city, said he doesn’t want to upset those with junk vehicles and force them to lose their collections or repair projects. However, over the past few months, officials have received phone calls from concerned home owners about unsightly junked cars in their neighbors’ yards. The city has tried to work with junk car owners in coming to a resolution but haven’t had much citizen cooperation.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>“It’s probably something that happens in every town, but we’ve gotten a lot of complaints,” Gruver said. “A lot of people keep [these vehicles] thinking they’re going to work on them at some point, but they keep deteriorating.”</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>It’s standard procedure in Texas for code enforcement staff to proceed with abatement, citing offenders and eventually hauling off junk cars for scrap by force, 10 days after an official notice has been given to the offenders. Gruver said notices would be presented to the vehicle’s lienholder or owner, as well as the owner of the property. Those held responsible for the vehicle would have those 10 days to relocate it to a spot where it is not visible from a public road, or contest the citation with a judge.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>“We’re not going to do it by the book, though,” Gruver said, “because we’re going to give people extra notice about the vehicle before that ’10-day letter.'”</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>On Jan. 17, city officials will begin their sweep of the city. The city limits will be divided into four sections, and one section will be tackled each week. Gruver and staff will be looking for junk vehicles and will issue warning notices by the end of the month. Official citations will be issued Feb. 10, though Gruver said he wants to give citizens an extended period to amend their situation or speak with a county judge, so automobiles will not be hauled off until March.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>“Hopefully I won’t have to [haul vehicles],” Gruver said. “That ordinance was written very harshly, and I didn’t want to have to do it that way.”</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Over the past year, Gruver and staff have performed several clean-up efforts for the city, doing “junk sweeps” for items left in front yards, as well as two sweeps for tall weeds and grass.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Gruver said he and his staff would like to help any Navasota citizens who are having trouble relocating their vehicles, as he’s helped people push their vehicles out of sight, in a backyard or other area away from public sight.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>“All people need to do is contact City Hall,” he said.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Bryan and College Station have similar rules for dealing with junked vehicles. In College Station, code enforcement officers regularly monitor neighborhoods and commercial properties for any code violations. Owners of junk vehicles are contacted with a 10-day notice left on their door.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Julie Caler, code enforcement supervisor for the city, noted that College Station city staff and officers are understanding that many vehicles are costly to repair, and the city is willing to cooperate with owners by offering a reasonable amount of time before action is taken and a court summons or citation is issued.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>In 2016, College Station staff did not have to forcefully abate and scrap any vehicles. Two vehicles were abated by the city, but with the blessing of their owners. The city dealt with 68 junk vehicle cases in 2016, and in all those cases citizens were compliant in resolving the issue.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Bryan officials also operate on a 10-day notice system of abatement.</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>“A lot of people are not familiar with the state law, and they’re probably wondering what’s going on,” Gruver said. “It’s never really been enforced here, or in many other towns, for that matter.”</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/navasota-keep-junk-cars-out-of-sight/article_366a2889-9aa8-56d2-9410-946e448fd874.html"> http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/navasota-keep-junk-cars-out-of-sight/article_366a2889-9aa8-56d2-9410-946e448fd874.html</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/navasota-keep-junk-cars-sight/">Navasota: Keep junk cars out of sight</a> appeared first on <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/navasota-keep-junk-cars-sight/">http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/navasota-keep-junk-cars-sight/</a>BMW and Intel plan driverless carhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/bmw-and-intel-plan-driverless-car2017-01-14T16:13:31.581000Z2017-01-14T16:13:28ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p>BMW is teaming up with chipmaker Intel and camera-software company Mobileye to bring self-driving cars to the road by 2021, becoming the first major automaker to set a specific date to produce a fully autonomous vehicle.</p><br></br> </div>
<div><img src="http://www.irishexaminer.com/remote/media.central.ie/media/images/i/IntelKildareMar16_large.jpg?width=648&s=ie-408159"></img><br></br> <br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The technology will be used in the iNext, set to supplant the 7-Series sedan as BMW’s flagship model, the company has said.</p><br></br> <p>The iNext will be a basis for “fleets of fully autonomous vehicles” to cruise highways and also be available as robo-taxis in cities, BMW said.</p><br></br> <p>The partnership is “the next core building block to bring fully automated driving technology to the street”, BMW chief executive officer Harald Krueger said.</p><br></br> <p>The biggest luxury carmaker setting a date for its self-driving debut will put pressure on rivals, including Tesla Motors and Mercedes-Benz, as manufacturers strive to fend off competition, not only within the industry but also from the likes of Uber Technologies and Google.</p><br></br> <p>Robo-taxis will make up 40% of automotive profits by 2030, more than selling vehicles to individuals, according to consulting company Roland Berger.</p><br></br> <p>BMW’s partnership comes as a fatal accident in the US involving a Tesla sedan driving on the car’s so-called Autopilot fuels the debate over whether self-driving cars are ready for the real world.</p><br></br> <p>US regulators are investigating the crash, which killed a 40-year-old Ohio man when his 2015 Model S drove under the trailer of an 18-wheeler.</p><br></br> <p>Tesla uses Mobileye’s technology in its autopilot, which it started to introduce in October as a step toward autonomous cars.</p><br></br> <p>In the fatal crash, the company said, neither the system nor the driver saw the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky.</p><br></br> <p>The equipment in the Tesla that crashed is designed to prevent rear-end collisions, not avoid vehicles crossing laterally, the company said in a statement. Mobileye systems will be able to see and react to lateral traffic beginning in 2018, it said.</p><br></br> <p>Autopilot is one of a range of technologies meant to be stepping-stones toward completely autonomous vehicles.</p><br></br> <p>BMW already offers a self-parking feature, while Daimler’s Mercedes E-Class can steer itself on the highway — though the driver is supposed to keep his or her hands on the wheel.</p><br></br> <p>Enabling vehicles to navigate without human input through complex settings such as city centres requires them to see and understand situations more like humans do.</p><br></br> <p>BMW’s deal with Intel and Mobileye brings together companies with expertise in cameras that can model the driving surroundings and computing capabilities to power artificial intelligence.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/bmw-and-intel-plan-driverless-car-408159.html"> http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/bmw-and-intel-plan-driverless-car-408159.html</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/bmw-intel-plan-driverless-car/">BMW and Intel plan driverless car</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/bmw-intel-plan-driverless-car/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/bmw-intel-plan-driverless-car/</a>Peugeot roars back to life with 308 GTihttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/peugeot-roars-back-to-life-with-308-gti2017-01-13T16:13:33.236000Z2017-01-13T16:13:29ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p>Any of you petrolheads out there with any bit of rose-tinting in your spectacles will undoubtedly have fond memories of one of the greatest hot hatchbacks of all time — the Peugeot 205 GTi and particularly the cracking 1.9 litre version of same, <strong>writes Declan Colley</strong></p><br></br> </div>
<div><br></br> <a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/motors/motors-reviews/peugeut/peugeot-roars-back-to-life-with-308-gti-434607.html#"><img src="http://www.irishexaminer.com/remote/media.central.ie/media/images/p/PeugeotGTI2016_large.jpg?width=648&s=ie-434607"></img><br></br> <br></br> </a><br></br> <div>The Peugeot 308 GTi has a 1.6lt turbocharged engine that is a hoot to drive.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>I do have very fond memories of the car and indeed once owned one — well the wife owned it, actually, but she let me have a go in it every now and then. Mind you, if I had told her about some of the antics I got up to, she might not have been so keen to hand over the keys.</p><br></br> <p>Like the time I was driving to work one quiet Sunday afternoon from what was then home in Blackrock and I was giving the Pug a bit of welly as I came along Monaghan Road on the way into the city. Giving it a bit too much welly, as it transpired.</p><br></br> <p>As I got to the junction where you turn off for Centre Park Road, I had a quick, confidence-boosting, lift off the throttle before, as I thought, getting back on the loud pedal at the apex of that curve. The car never gave me the chance.</p><br></br> <p>Just as I lifted my foot off accelerator, the back end stepped out and no end of opposite lock was going to get it back. It spun through a complete 360 degrees and by some miracle I was eventually left facing the way I had been heading.</p><br></br> <p>I was terribly lucky on two counts: first, that there was nothing coming the other way; and, second, that my underpants were still clean.</p><br></br> <p>That was the thing about the 205 GTi — it was wickedly fast and absolutely brilliant to drive, but it had one or two little mercurial traits which, if you were not sharp enough or wise enough, would bite you badly. I suppose that was part of the visceral appeal of the thing — try as much as you would to master the car, it never truly allowed you complete control.</p><br></br> <p><img src="http://www.irishexaminer.com/remote/media.central.ie/media/images/z/zzzPeugeotGTI2016b_large.jpg?width=648&s=ie-434607"></img><br></br> <br></br> </p><br></br> <p>This characteristic was not so much of a worry, but just enough to plant a seed of doubt in your mind to prevent you taking too many liberties with it.</p><br></br> <p>It was every bit the car you had to respect, or it could do terrible damage to the aforementioned under-garments.</p><br></br> <p>The thing was this was a classic Peugeot and the French outfit were rather good at making such things back in the day; and the 205 was not the only one they made.</p><br></br> <p>There was such as the 106 Rallye and the 306 GTi-6 and the outfit that made them, Peugeot Sport, was a serious purveyor of bite-your-ass motor cars.</p><br></br> <p>Established by the legendary Jean Todt (now president of the FIA), Peugeot Sport was not just a tin shed out the back of the main plant with a few Gauloise-smoking engineers kicking ideas around the place. No, those guys engineered everything from rally specials to Le Mans winners and a half-decent F1 engine as well.</p><br></br> <p>But they somehow lost their mojo in recent times — something which was mirrored by the street car output of the main company — but in the last while, they’ve got it back again and this week’s tester is proof-positive that is the case.</p><br></br> <p>The new Peugeot 308 GTi is not only a joy to behold visually, but it is the berries on the road too, oozing the sort of malevolence and jip that any GTi worthy of the name should have in spades.</p><br></br> <p>As a worthy contender in a segment which boasts such as the Golf GTi and the Focus ST, the Peugeot needed to be a pretty classy machine to have any hope of competing — and it is.</p><br></br> <p>It comes in two versions, both of which are powered by a 1.6 litre turbocharged petrol engine; the lesser version outputs some 250bhp, while the one we got to try had a 270bhp output and features all sorts of trickery in its armour.</p><br></br> <p> </p><br></br> <p>Stuff like lightweight Mahle pistons and a twin scroll Borgwarner turbo, as well as increased pressure injection, the 270 brake version is heavy on technology — and big on thrills too. It also has a good few electronic tricks up its sleeve, what with a Torsen limited slip diff which liberally apportions power to the front wheel which needs it most.</p><br></br> <p>Ford and VW have already demonstrated that it is now eminently possible to effectively control the massive understeer usually generated by a front driver with a very powerful engine by using a trick diff and Peugeot has obviously learned a lot from them because this thing handles like the racer it wants to be.</p><br></br> <p>Lowered suspension (ride height 11mm down on the regular 308), retuned dampers, revised anti-rolls bars and massively stiffer springs may make for a firm ride, but boy can this thing take a corner.</p><br></br> <p>Sure you will unnecessarily spin wheels if you’re heavy-footed, but more subtle interventions with the right boot will see you getting from A to B rather quicker than you imagined possible.</p><br></br> <p>Brakes too have been upgraded for the 270bhp version and they are devastatingly effective.</p><br></br> <p>The naked performance facts tell us the 308 GTi will complete the 0-100km/h dash in six seconds while top speed is limited to 250km/h.</p><br></br> <p>And there is a ‘Sport’ button too which dramatically ratchets up the aural accompaniment as well as the throttle response, but given the quality of the standard settings, is a tad unnecessary in my view.</p><br></br> <p><img src="http://www.irishexaminer.com/remote/media.central.ie/media/images/z/zzzPeugeotGTI2016a_large.jpg?width=648&s=ie-434607"></img><br></br> <br></br> </p><br></br> <p>Peugeot’s i-cockpit is very minimalist and that means no button or switchgear clutter, although I must say that the touchscreen, which now contains most controls, is a bit distracting and difficult to use.</p><br></br> <p>The bucket seats, though, are very comfortable and seriously supportive when things get sweaty and there is plenty of passenger and cargo space. It is worth remembering too that this only comes as a five-door and is therefore a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde beast, capable of family duties as well as its sporting obligations.</p><br></br> <p>Although still capable of endangering your underpants when you get some lift-off understeer action going, the 308 GTi does respond well to a lighter touch and it truly is shatteringly fast. All of which makes it the sort of automotive equivalent of meeting an old friend who you haven’t seen for yonks.</p><br></br> <p>Without doubt this is the best sporting Peugeot we’ve seen for quite a while, with, perhaps, the exception of the RCZ-R, and something which is a very credible opponent for some of the standard-bearers in the segment.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/motors/motors-reviews/peugeut/peugeot-roars-back-to-life-with-308-gti-434607.html"> http://www.irishexaminer.com/motors/motors-reviews/peugeut/peugeot-roars-back-to-life-with-308-gti-434607.html</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/peugeot-roars-back-life-308-gti/">Peugeot roars back to life with 308 GTi</a> appeared first on <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/peugeot-roars-back-life-308-gti/">http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/peugeot-roars-back-life-308-gti/</a>Opel’s Karl is a small package with big appealhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/opels-karl-is-a-small-package-with-big-appeal2017-01-13T16:13:33.215000Z2017-01-13T16:13:29ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p>WE’VE written extensively in these columns in recent times about the revival of the Opel brand and how, after an asphyxiating couple of years, the European arm of General Motors has had new life breathed into it and how cars such as the Corsa, Astra, Insignia, and Adam are now in the process of re-establishing the brand as a viable, serious automotive player once again, <strong>writes Declan Colley</strong></p><br></br> </div>
<div><br></br> <a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/motors/motors-reviews/opel/opels-karl-is-a-small-package-with-big-appeal-380287.html#"><img src="http://www.irishexaminer.com/remote/media.central.ie/media/images/o/OpelKarl1_large.jpg?width=648&s=ie-380287"></img><br></br> <br></br> </a><br></br> <div>The Karl is a sterling addition to the Opel range and is both enjoyable and economical to drive.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>And now we come to the latest model from Opel, the Karl which is a new five-seat city car aimed at giving the manufacturer a sturdy, economic, roomy and practical contender in a segment it has not competed in for a while now. Even when it did, it was with cars which were effectively re-badged Suzukis.</p><br></br> <p>The original Opel Agila was effectively a Suzuki Wagon R+ with the German carmaker’s branding on it, while the later version of the car was also marketed by Suzuki as the Splash. Both were fine little cars, but somewhat indicative of the general malaise which had befallen Opel’s once excellent reputation.</p><br></br> <p>In the period immediately after the millennium the company’s American owners allowed the Opel brand to be rundown and trampled upon to the point where it was not far short of being a laughing stock.</p><br></br> <p></p><br></br> <p>But, under new management and with completely renewed vigour on the design and engineering front as well as a half decent marketing budget, it’s comeback time for the Russelsheim outfit.</p><br></br> <p>Now I have to say that while I’m a big fan of the city car genre, I’ve never really been lost in admiration for Opel’s contenders in the segment.</p><br></br> <p>But, with the arrival of the Fiat 500- rivalling Adam and now the Karl, the company is certainly changing my mind considerably. I really liked the former — particularly in Rocks guise — and I have completely fallen for the latter.</p><br></br> <p>Now the Karl is hardly top of the pile in the cute-as-a-button looks stakes being slightly slab-sided and ever so slightly tall that it looks like someone might have gone a bit mad with the modelling clay. A couple of crease lines on the flanks do break up the boxy look, but overall the car’s appearance is certainly not of knock-me-down-with-a-feather variety.</p><br></br> <p>This means that without the benefit of drop-dead good looks, the car will have to have a lot of other virtues to make it the winner Opel hope it will be. And it does — very many of them, in fact.</p><br></br> <p>It is remarkably spacious on the inside for a car in this class and has a genuine capacity to accommodate five adults, even though I would be loathe to try and take such a crew on a trip to Derry, or anything like that.</p><br></br> <p>The space is enough to ferry five people on short trips, but for anything longer than about 20 km, one of them would be best advised to get the bus. Otherwise they could become mutinous fairly quickly.</p><br></br> <p>In the milieu for which the car is intended, however, it is a much better prospect than many in the class and that will certainly appeal to many buyers. Boot space is, by necessity tight, but will still manage to swallow a couple of rucksacks, or some such, or all the weekly shopping.</p><br></br> <p>And, sticking with the interior for a moment, it is also worth pointing out that the Karl has inherited the sort of quality materials and finish which we first saw Opel apply to the Corsa and that’s no bad thing. The result is something which is not only pleasing to the eye and the touch, but which also appears to be durable as well as smart.</p><br></br> <p>We tried the upper level SE Titanium model which adds stuff like a leather steering wheel, trip computer, Bluetooth music streaming and mobile portal, electronic climate control and other bits and bobs without driving the price completely mad. Options such as an electric sunroof and rear parking sensors add further sophistication to the package.</p><br></br> <p>Of course, certain things are de rigeur these days and the infotainment touchscreen is a must for the younger buyer. Unfortunately the tester was not equipped with one, but Opel says the Intellink multimedia system will be available shortly.</p><br></br> <p>One thing that really riles me, however, is that Opel — amongst many other companies, it has to be said — only offer a space-saver tyre as an option. The standard Karl only has one of those completely useless emergency inflation kits which are absolutely worthless in Irish driving conditions and I think that charging an extra €150 for the bicycle tyre space-saver is an abomination.</p><br></br> <p>Getting back to the good stuff though, the whole driving experience offered by the Karl is nothing short of brilliant. The combination of a wonderful one litre three cylinder engine, a stiff but light chassis and a decent suspension layout, makes for a great little car to drive.</p><br></br> <p>The three pot engine is a cracker. Although only outputting some 55kW (75 bhp), it is a hearty free-revver and goes like stink. The 0-100 kph time is just 13.5 seconds and the top speed 170 kph, but while the former might seem slack and the latter decent enough, the fact is that this is a brisk little beast and while you might have to thrash it a little to extract the max. from it, you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.</p><br></br> <p>Certainly you won’t do your fuel economy any favours by flogging the Karl, but if you are easy of foot, then you should be seeing well in excess of 50 mpg. The official figure is 4.5 l/100 km (62.2 mpg).</p><br></br> <p>I am also pleased to report that Opel eschewed any ideas it might have had about building any artificial sportiness into the handling department and the result is that this is a car which will cope with pretty much anything without that awful crashiness which spoils so many cars with such false pretensions.</p><br></br> <p>I had a little longer with the Karl than is normally the case with testers and that added time really did allow me appreciate the character and the merits of this excellent little car. The truth is though that even if I only had it for ten minutes, I would have loved it as much.</p><br></br> <p>It is a sterling addition to the Opel range and at the cost — with a few minor reservations — it has placed the company in very good stead to make a big dent in the segment.</p><br></br> <p>Read more:<a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/motors/motors-reviews/opel/opels-karl-is-a-small-package-with-big-appeal-380287.html"> http://www.irishexaminer.com/motors/motors-reviews/opel/opels-karl-is-a-small-package-with-big-appeal-380287.html</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/opels-karl-small-package-big-appeal/">Opel’s Karl is a small package with big appeal</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/opels-karl-small-package-big-appeal/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/opels-karl-small-package-big-appeal/</a>#cashforcarskildare Luxury brands like Aston Martin are branching out to sell sofas sunglasses and yachtshttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/cashforcarskildare-luxury-brands-like-aston-martin-are-branching-out-to-sell-sofas-sunglasses-and-yachts2017-01-12T17:38:24.322000Z2017-01-12T17:38:19ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
Aston Martin is synonymous with high-end sports cars yet is now selling sofas sunglasses yachts and real estate says David Gilbert
The car industry is in a state of flux at the moment. Not only are car companies still struggling to get back on track after the economic crash companies like Google Tesla and Uber are all looking to disrupt the industry completely with autonomous driving technologies electric vehicles and new ownership models.
Add to that the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and for European car companies UK-based companies in particular the future is less of a motorway and more a bumpy country road.
And so for some car companies at least the answer is to broaden their horizons and look to new markets. But rather than developing their own driverless car technology companies at the luxury end of the market like Aston Martin and Bentley are going after an entirely different customer base with 3500 baby strollers (pictured right) 15000 sofas and 17500 crocodile skin bags.
We want to sell the dream and the allure that is around the brand says Katia Bassi managing director of Aston Martin Brands.
Aston Martin makers of the iconic sports cars made famous by James Bond has recently opened a high-profile store in Londons Mayfair district where it is now looking to build on years of work to establish Aston Martin as a luxury brand.
A selection of ladies scarves hang on display during the launch event for Aston Martin at No 8 Dover Street.
Traditionally car manufacturers have always created merchandise as a way of allowing their customers and fans to show their passion for a particular brand and while Aston Martin is no different in offering branded polo shirts and cufflinks its latest venture is something completely different and a move to position it as something other than just a car brand.
We want to be seen as a luxury brand. More comprehensive than a luxury car brand says Bassi.
Aston Martin is not alone. Bentley another UK company is also branching out. It has partnered with Luxury Living Group to create the Bentley Home Collection which is inspired by the time-honoured craftsmanship and material selection that characterise Bentley car interiors. As part of its latest range the British car company is selling a table costing 16000 and a 15000 sofa. Bentley says the amount of money generated by this range is small compared to the firms overall revenue but it is growing and there is a lot of opportunity.
Revenue is of course a major issue for all carmakers today. According to research from PwC 2015 saw record sales in the US but in the EU the auto industry is held hostage by local economies that are teetering on the edge of recession.Aston Martin announced in June that it had recorded a post-tax loss of 107m (125m) up from a 64m loss the previous year. However a lot of that increase is down to Aston Martins investment in the future including a 200m electric car plant in Wales part of what it calls its Second Century plan.
The Aston Martin name sits on the glass of a pair of spectacles
And part of that plan is a reinvention of how it is perceived. We believe that we are now ready to say that we are a luxury company says Bassi.
While merchandising is nothing new how Aston Martin and Bentley are approaching the leveraging of their brand identity is divorced from what other brands have done in the past. The thing is that we want to do it in a completely different way says Bassi.
We are not saying that we are better than our competitors but we say that we do things differently.
At the store in Mayfair Aston Martins iconic logo is etched in brass and centred around the Phythagorean spiral which sits at the heart of the companys design ethos. The dimensions of the spiral which occur naturally in nature give its cars a more pleasing aesthetic says the company thats the philosophy it is looking to bring to other markets.
While Aston Martin and Bentley create some of the most iconic designs in the automotive world they dont have the experience in areas like fashion furniture and sportswear so they seek out partners to help produce the items.
Aston Martins 3500 baby stroller is designed in association with Silver Cross while it has partnered with sunglasses manufacturer Marma to create handmade Italian-designed eyewear. But the company is not stopping there. In October it will announce a partnership with a US company to build an exclusive real estate venture which will bear the Aston Martin name. The company will unveil its first speedboat later this month having worked with yacht-maker Quintessence on the project.
Following road land and sea the company is also talking with several aviation manufacturers about developing an Aston Martin-branded private jet.
So why has Aston Martin decided to branch out in this way? We want to enlarge our fan base says Bassi. It is clear that not a lot of people could afford an Aston Martin just like someone could not afford a Dior haute couture dress for 50000 for example.
While Dior has created a range of perfumes aftershaves and sunglasses to appeal to those who cant afford its haute couture dress Aston Martins yachts apartments and private jets will hardly be within the reach of the average consumer.
For Ferrari the approach is something completely different. While its sports cars are equally out of the price range of most people its racing heritage means it has millions of fans around the world who dont and likely never will own one of its iconic automobiles.
Some of Aston Martins boutique offerings at its Mayfair outlet.
And so because of its Formula 1 racing heritage it needs to sate the desire of fans who want to wear jackets emblazoned with its iconic prancing pony logo or its unique shade of bright red.
Companies like Aston Martin and Bentley believe that what they are offering with their new range of products is access to a lifestyle and way of living previously only available to those who could afford their cars. It is unclear how much a 15000 couch or 17500 crocodile skin bag is going to expand their user base but Bassi says that because it has never diluted its brand Aston Martin is among only a very few companies who could branch out in this way.
You really have to conquer and gain not only the interest but also the trust of the customers and this doesnt happen in one day. I dont see many others doing this so far and the market recognises that.
Got 17500 to spare? Buy a crocodile bag!
3500 Silver Cross Stroller: Aston Martin has partnered with Silver Cross to create the Silver Cross Surf which is described as the ultimate luxury pram system.
17500 Crocodile Skin Bag: The most expensive item on sale in Aston Martins new retail store the crocodile skin bag features a 24-carat-gold pair of iconic Aston Martin wings.
17300 Sideboard: Bentleys ranges of home furnishings includes this Lendal sideboard described as an expression of the finest craftsmanship and scrupulous attention to detail and featuring leather doors upholstered with the iconic diamond quilt stitch.
700 Driver: Not a driver for your car but one for your golf bag. This Bentley BD1 driver comes with a titanium body and graphite shaft and promises a fusion of traditional styling and cutting edge technology.
17500 Smartphone: Bentley has partnered with luxury phone maker Vertu to create a device featuring a leather finish a subscription to a 24-hour concierge service and a ringtone composed by the London Symphony Orchestra.
Read more:http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/luxury-brands-like-aston-martin-are-branching-out-to-sell-sofas-sunglasses-and-yachts-422393.html
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BMW, VW, Daimler, Ford hope to catch Tesla with faster EV chargershttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/bmw-vw-daimler-ford-hope-to-catch-tesla-with-faster-ev-chargers2017-01-12T14:13:45.494000Z2017-01-12T14:13:41ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>FRANKFURT — BMW, Volkswagen, Daimler and Ford plan to build a network of ultra-fast charging stations in Europe as they look to stoke demand for electric cars and break Tesla’s stranglehold on the market.</div><br></br> <p><img src="http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20170111/ANE/170119951/AR/0/AR-170119951.jpg&q=80&MaxW=300&cci_ts=20170111060138"></img><br></br> <br></br> </p><br></br> <p>The consortium has begun talks with possible partners over plans to build about 400 next-generation charging stations in Europe that can reload an electric car in minutes instead of hours. The automakers signed <strong>an initial agreement</strong> to work together in November.</p><br></br> <p>The long time it takes to charge batteries is one of the main disadvantages of electric cars compared to conventional cars with gasoline tanks that can be filled up in seconds.</p><br></br> <p>Until now, drivers of electric cars have had to leave their vehicles plugged in for hours at a charging station for a journey between cities, making many long-range journeys impractical.</p><br></br> <p>Installing new, faster chargers would spur the overall market, and also help the traditional car manufacturers close the gap with Tesla, the Silicon Valley-based manufacturer, which maintains its own network of charging stations. Tesla’s chargers are the fastest in the industry, and are incompatible with existing EVs made by rivals.</p><br></br> <p>The carmakers are involving experts from the European power and engineering industry, including Germany’s Innogy, E.ON and Siemens and Portugal’s Efacec, which are all working on the technology, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.</p><br></br> <p>The new 350 kilowatt (kW) chargers would be nearly three times as powerful as Tesla’s.</p><br></br> <p>“This is a structured and concerted effort across sectors to tackle the infrastructure issue in a real way,” one of the sources said.</p><br></br> <p>A spokesman for Ford, speaking on behalf of the consortium, said he expected several energy providers to be part of the planned network, without elaborating further.</p><br></br> <p>Tesla’s tech billionaire CEO Elon Musk has hinted that the company will not be outdone, tweeting that 350 kW chargers are a “children’s toy.” A Germany-based spokeswoman for the company declined to comment beyond Musk’s remarks.</p><br></br> <p><strong>Increased demand for EVs</strong></p><br></br> <p>European carmakers believe they are on the cusp of a surge in demand for EVs. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche expects electric vehicles will make up <strong>15-25 percent of Mercedes sales by 2025.</strong></p><br></br> <p>But first, technicians have to solve the problem of conveniently charging them up.</p><br></br> <p>Europe already has a network of nearly 72,000 public charging stations for EVs, but most are so slow they take hours for a meaningful charge.</p><br></br> <p>The International Energy Agency says only about 5,800 European charging stations are “fast,” which it defines as charging at a rate of 43 kW or more, the equivalent of operating 90 washing machines simultaneously.</p><br></br> <p>The fastest chargers in widespread use on the continent so far are the more than 1,800 installed so far by Tesla. At 120 kW, they still need half an hour to give a car enough power to drive 270 km.</p><br></br> <p>As the market for EVs grows, traditional carmakers are going to find it easier to catch up with Tesla, said Graham Evans, automotive analyst at IHS Markit.</p><br></br> <p>“Tesla doesn’t really have anyone to answer to, they are independent,” he said. “[But] I think that further out the big [automakers] are in a better position to capitalize because of their more extensive resources.”</p><br></br> <p>Installing thousands of fast chargers across the globe will require billions of dollars in investment and offer an opportunity to manufacturers. The car consortium’s new fast chargers will cost about 200,000 euros ($210,000) each.</p><br></br> <p>U.S. market leader ChargePoint upped the ante last week by announcing stations of up to 400 kW that will be available from July.</p><br></br> <p>Navigant Research analyst Lisa Jerram said the number of players in the nascent market to build ultra-fast charging stations makes it difficult to call out a winner yet.</p><br></br> <p>“Development is underway on these chargers so there isn’t a leader at this point,” she said.</p><br></br> <p>So far, makers of charging stations are focused mainly on getting exposure and market share by installing as many as possible. But sooner or later, investors are going to want to see profits, which means that cost will come to matter more.</p><br></br> <p>That holds true even for Tesla, which is starting to adjust its business model as the industry grows up.</p><br></br> <p>Tesla cars ordered up until this week have come with free electricity from its charging stations. But owners who order their cars after Jan. 15 will have to pay to power them up once they reach a limit, although the company says the price will always be cheaper than gasoline.</p><br></br> <p>“Burning money as a result of the market and technology not being ready is unlikely to be rewarded by shareholders,” said Thomas Deser, senior fund manager at Union Investment.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://europe.autonews.com/article/20170111/ANE/170119951/bmw-vw-daimler-ford-hope-to-catch-tesla-with-faster-ev-chargers"> http://europe.autonews.com/article/20170111/ANE/170119951/bmw-vw-daimler-ford-hope-to-catch-tesla-with-faster-ev-chargers</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/bmw-vw-daimler-ford-hope-catch-tesla-faster-ev-chargers/">BMW, VW, Daimler, Ford hope to catch Tesla with faster EV chargers</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/bmw-vw-daimler-ford-hope-catch-tesla-faster-ev-chargers/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/bmw-vw-daimler-ford-hope-catch-tesla-faster-ev-chargers/</a>Pre-Christmas new car splurge sees registrations in Northern Ireland hit nine-year highhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/pre-christmas-new-car-splurge-sees-registrations-in-northern-ireland-hit-nine-year-high2017-01-07T19:15:48.837000Z2017-01-07T19:15:45ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
New car sales figures in Northern Ireland have hit a nine-year high according to the SMMT
A LATE acceleration in pre-Christmas sales has led to new car registrations in Northern Ireland hitting their highest total in nearly a decade.
Some 2049 cars were registered in Northern Ireland in December taking the total sales for the year to 57324 according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Thats more than 200 more than in the whole of 2015 and is the highest figure for the region since 2007 when 68708 new vehicles drove away from showrooms.
It comes as new car sales in the UK as a whole reached an all-time high for a second consecutive year (up 2.3 per cent on 2015 to 2685724) driven by strong consumer confidence low interest finance packages and a raft of new models.
But some within the motoring industry fear the UK is at the peak of a car bubble
And SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes cautioned that registrations could decline by five or six per cent in 2017 because we have to recognise that growth cant be inexorable and there is undoubtedly a levelling off.
More than 85 per cent of new cars bought in the UK are imported and their cost is gradually going up due to the reduction in the value of the pound Mr Hawes said.
Although manufacturers hedge against currency risk and absorb some of the additional costs there have been price rises of 2 per cent or 3 per cent he added.
Mr Hawes expects 2017 car sales to be lumpy adding that although the triggering of Article 50 for the UK to leave the EU would probably not immediately have an impact on purchasing patterns he acknowledged that we have not seen the full effects of Brexit.
Jim Holder editorial director of magazines Autocar and What Car? described the 2016 figures as very positive saying the expected Brexit bump was mostly negated.
He said some people within the automotive industry are warning that sales could drop by 10 to 15 per cent this year so manufacturers would be very pleased if the SMMTs prediction of a 5 or 6 per cent drop-off proved accurate.
Read more:http://www.irishnews.com/business/2017/01/05/news/pre-festive-new-car-splurge-sees-registrations-in-northern-ireland-hit-nine-year-high-866986/
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INFINITI arrives in Northern Irelandhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/infiniti-arrives-in-northern-ireland2017-01-06T19:20:18.106000Z2017-01-06T19:20:14ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p>INFINITI recently opened its first-ever retail store in Northern Ireland. The center in Belfast began business operations in November, opening up a new era for INFINITI with the full European product range available to customers in Northern Ireland. The opening of this new center demonstrates the continuous growth of the brand in the UK and across Europe.</p><br></br> <p><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Infiniti_logo.png"></img><br></br> <br></br> </p><br></br> <p>The introduction of INFINITI Centre Belfast brings with it a new partner to the brand: Mervyn Stewart Limited invests in an all-new site on Boucher Crescent. The family-run business, which has been operating in Northern Ireland for over 50 years, will carry out a design redevelopment to the premises to meet with INFINITI’s customer experience standards known as IREDI – INFINITI Retail Environment Design Initiative. The new site is expected to be completed in early 2017 but will initially operate from one of INFINITI’s unique temporary retail sales environments, specifically designed to accommodate this development phase.</p><br></br> <p>“We are very pleased to introduce the premium brand of Infiniti to Northern Ireland,” said managing director Stephen Stewart from Mervyn Stewart Limited. “I am sure our customers will enjoy not only the exciting range of products on offer but also the environment and experience we will provide.”</p><br></br> <p>Since the introduction of the British built Q30 earlier this year and the more recent QX30, new car registrations in the UK have been dramatically increasing month on month. Sales so far in 2016 have increased by nearly 150 percent.</p><br></br> <p>“Infiniti is now well on its way to establishing itself within the UK automotive industry as a challenger brand,” said Barry Beeston, regional director for INFINITI in the UK. “Increased sales have placed the company as one of the fastest growing automotive brands in the UK. Expansion of the center network is an important part of our growth strategy, and now with the opening of INFINITI Centre Belfast it allows our brand reach to go further than ever before.”</p><br></br> <p>INFINITI is currently introducing a new range of products to its portfolio and this continues with the imminent introduction of the new 2-door coupe Q60, which has a starting price of £33,990.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/infiniti-arrives-northern-ireland-2/"> http://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/infiniti-arrives-northern-ireland-2/</a></p><br></br> <p>Call us for a <a href="https://uk.99nearby.com/place/cash-for-cars-ireland-belfast/221579">cash for cars</a> quote</p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/infiniti-arrives-northern-ireland/">INFINITI arrives in Northern Ireland</a> appeared first on <a href="http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/infiniti-arrives-northern-ireland/">http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/infiniti-arrives-northern-ireland/</a></div>
The art of Bugattihttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/the-art-of-bugatti2017-01-04T15:43:53.058000Z2017-01-04T15:43:48ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p>Bugatti – the name resonates with car lovers the world over, beauty, class, speed, sex-appeal, these automobiles had the lot.</p><br></br> <p>Now some of the classic cars are part of one of the rarest collections in history which has gone on display in Los Angeles.</p><br></br> <p><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Bugatti_Chiron_1.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> </p><br></br> <p>‘The art of Bugatti’ exhibition highlights the fascinating talents of three generations of the French-Italian family described as one of the greatest art dynasties in the world.</p><br></br> <p>“It’s not just cars, the cars that Ettore built, it’s also the furniture and sculpture that Ettore’s father Carlo built. It’s also the body design that his son Jean built and it’s also sculpture and art that his brother Rembrandt and his sister Lidia had something to do with.</p><br></br> <p>‘They were an incredibly creative family with an enormous amount of talent, fortunate enough to have been born during a time in Europe when that sort of art was appreciated and could be nourished,” explained Leslie Kendall, Chief Curator, Peterson Automotive Museum.</p><br></br> <p>Most of the cars were designed by the Milan born designer Ettore Bugatti, who died in 1947. He created the car company as well as designing airplanes and locomotives.</p><br></br> <p>Ettore’s son Jean followed his fathers footsteps, creating his masterpiece the famous 1935 Atlantic, three years before he was killed while testing a car aged just 30. How did the family create the Bugatti legacy?</p><br></br> <p>“They did so through ruthless engineering and beautiful design. Whether that’s a car that can go faster than any other car can go 100 years ago or whether that’s a car that today is the fastest car on the road, that thread of continuity of excellence is just maintained in everything that Bugatti ever touched,“opined Thed Gushue, Editorial Director, Petrolicious.com.</p><br></br> <p>The Lidia Bugatti is in the exhibition. It was made for Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, The Prince of Persia and the future Shah of Iran. It was a gift from the French government on the occasion of his first wedding.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.euronews.com/2017/01/04/bugatti-exhibition-at-the-peterson-automotive-museum-in-los-angeles"> http://www.euronews.com/2017/01/04/bugatti-exhibition-at-the-peterson-automotive-museum-in-los-angeles</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/the-art-of-bugatti/">The art of Bugatti</a> appeared first on <a href="http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/the-art-of-bugatti/">http://galway.cashforcarsireland.com/the-art-of-bugatti/</a></div>
Osram Shows New Smart Automotive Technologies at CEShttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/osram-shows-new-smart-automotive-technologies-at-ces2017-01-04T15:43:50.729000Z2017-01-04T15:43:47ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><a href="http://mms.businesswire.com/media/20170104005079/en/562003/5/1.jpg?download=1"><img src="http://mms.businesswire.com/media/20170104005079/en/562003/4/1.jpg?download=1"></img><br></br> <br></br> </a></div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Virtual reality experience at CES: During a virtual tour at the Osram booth, CES visitors will experience the newest car technologies and learn how an autonomous car detects its surroundings (Photo: Business Wire)</p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>LAS VEGAS & MUNICH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–<b>Osram, the global No. 1 in automotive car lighting, will unveil its latest high-tech automotive applications at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Jan. 5-8, 2017. “Osram’s car lighting technologies are designed to offer drivers smart and stylish design options, but most importantly, to significantly enhance road safety,” said Olaf Berlien, CEO of OSRAM Licht AG. “Laser-based car lighting is much brighter and enables a doubled high-beam range. The improved down-road visibility and clarity for the drivers increases safety for all on the road.” The fatality rate of night-time travel is up to four times that of day-time travel. A glare-free full-beam is another of Osram’s solutions to enhance visibility.</b></p><br></br> <blockquote><br></br> <p>“Osram’s car lighting technologies are designed to offer drivers smart and stylish design options, but most importantly, to significantly enhance road safety”</p><br></br> <p>Tweet this</p><br></br> </blockquote><br></br> <p>“We also will provide the virtual eyes for autonomous driving cars,” added Stefan Kampmann, CTO of Osram. “A modern car comprises about 200 light sources. Some of them are using invisible light – for example, in systems for smart surroundings analysis and for proximity detection as well as for driver monitoring.” Visitors to Osram’s CES booth will have the opportunity to take part in a virtual reality (VR) adventure to help them experience various automotive light sources – ranging from ambience lighting to extra-bright and far-reaching headlights. Osram will be located at booth #6338 in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.</p><br></br> <p>The latest automotive technology using invisible light, LiDAR (light detection and ranging), plays a key role in advanced driver-assistance systems, which are increasingly enabling semi-autonomous to fully autonomous driving capabilities. LiDAR systems generate laser pulses that hit objects and reflect light back onto a detector. The time of travel of the laser beam establishes the distance to the object. Osram’s multi-channel laser light source enables vehicles to generate an accurate, three-dimensional image of their surroundings and use this information to initiate the appropriate driving maneuvers. An accurate evaluation of the vehicle’s surroundings is crucial for safe autonomous driving.</p><br></br> <p>Headlights using laser technology are the next stage in automotive lighting. Due to the high luminance of the laser, which is about five times higher than the best of other light sources available today, these headlights double the best high beam range previously available, from 300 to 600 meters (2,000 feet). Osram’s energy-efficient laser lighting, which includes some of the smallest technology components available, found its way into serial car production with the BMW i8, the BMW 7 series and the Audi R8 und R8 LMX as boosters added to the high beam. This provides better visibility for the driver and thus greater road safety.</p><br></br> <p>In addition to laser technology, advanced pixel headlights represent the future of automotive lighting. Together with partners, Osram developed a tiny LED matrix chip with more than 1,000 individually controllable pixels. A headlight comprising several such LED chips allows permanent driving with glare-free full beam. An onboard camera recognizes oncoming vehicle and pedestrian traffic, automatically dimming the high-resolution LED chips to ensure that the head areas of oncoming drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists are spared from the light beam. This provides the driver with the best possible light at night, with no adverse effects for other traffic users. Osram expects to bring this technology to the commercial market by 2020.</p><br></br> <p>The most innovative technology for rear lights are Organic LEDs (OLEDs) which produce light in very thin layers and open up new pathways for design. OLEDs can be separated so that switchable light surfaces can be arranged very close to each other, allowing for 3D shadow effects and dynamic functionality. In the near future, design options will be further expanded by the production of OLEDs on foils, allowing the OLEDs to be bent into any conceivable shape. In addition to offering enormous flexibility of design, OLED technology boasts the advantage of consuming very little energy.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170104005079/en/Osram-Shows-Smart-Automotive-Technologies-CES"> http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170104005079/en/Osram-Shows-Smart-Automotive-Technologies-CES</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/osram-shows-new-smart-automotive-technologies-ces/">Osram Shows New Smart Automotive Technologies at CES</a> appeared first on <a href="http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/osram-shows-new-smart-automotive-technologies-ces/">http://limerick.cashforcarsireland.com/osram-shows-new-smart-automotive-technologies-ces/</a>Qualcomm kicks its automotive ambitions up another gear, partners with VW and morehttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/qualcomm-kicks-its-automotive-ambitions-up-another-gear-partners-with-vw-and-more2017-01-04T15:43:50.250000Z2017-01-04T15:43:47ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p><img src="https://tctechcrunch2011.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/img_1940.jpg?w=738"></img><br></br> <br></br> </p><br></br> <p>While Qualcomm continues to work on closing its $47 billion acquisition of automotive chipmaker NXP, it’s also driving ahead with developing car technology on its own steam. Today at CES, the chipmaker unveiled several initiatives to drive further into the connected car space, including a partnership with Volkswagen, a connected car trial in Germany, a new class of high-bandwidth, Gigabit LTE for vehicles, and more.</p><br></br> <p>As Patrick Little, Qualcomm’s SVP and GM for automotive tech, described it, the company is looking to develop end-to-end car technology for the next generation of connected vehicles. “There are three aspects to connected car processing technology: sense, think and act,” he said in a short interview with TechCrunch today at CES after the company’s press event earlier today. “NXP is really good at the ‘sense’ and ‘act’ parts, and we’re building the ‘think’ part.”</p><br></br> <p>Here’s a short run-down of what Qualcomm is building in the automotive space:</p><br></br> <p><strong>Vehicle-to-everything connectivity field trial</strong>: Qualcomm is working with Audi, Ericsson SWARCO Traffic Systems and the University of Kaiserslautern on a new consortium called the Connected Vehicle to Everything of Tomorrow (ConVeX). This will be focused on building a cellular-V2X (C-V2X) trial to explore ways of connecting Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) and Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P). This is less about autonomous vehicles and more about simply making cars work “like phones” in terms of their seamless connectivity, Little explained.</p><br></br> <p><strong>Gigabit LTE class for cars</strong>. Little told me that these days “a very high quality connection is the top priority right now” for automakers, and this new class of LTE, he said, would essentially make the Internet connection speeds in your vehicle just as fast as those in your home (that’s assuming you are not a customer of Comcast… <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2.2.1/72x72/1f609.png"></img><br></br> <br></br> </p></div>
Top five automotive scandals in 2016https://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/top-five-automotive-scandals-in-20162017-01-04T14:13:28.197000Z2017-01-04T14:13:26ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
Representative image
The year 2016 saw many scandals in the automotive industry. Here are the top five incidents that marred the industry.
Takatas faulty airbag scandal
Takata Corp is a specialized supplier of automotive safety systems but its reputation has been under a cloud.
Due to a variety of factors Takatas airbag inflators can inflate with excessive force causing them to explode and even spray metal shrapnel on the passengers.
Globally the inflators have caused 16 fatalities and injuries numbering atleast in the hundreds.
While the airbag manufacturers woes had already begun in 2013 they worsened immensely in the year 2016. What started out as an issue with some vehicles transformed into recalls in atleast three countries and by as many as 19 automakers.
The number of vehicles recalled in the US by a conservative estimate stood at 42 million. South Korea began by recalling 50000 vehicles and then widened it by 110000 more automobiles. However that number is nowhere near the final count as some automakers were yet to announce their plans for recall.
The faulty airbags forced Japanese auto major Honda to issue atleast two rounds of recall in India numbering a few lakh cars in all.
Volkswagen groups emission cheating scandal
Volkswagen was hit by an enormous scandal of global proportions in late 2015 and in the next year the humiliation only increased manifold.
American authorities found defeat devices installed in some of its diesel vehicles aimed at cheating on emission tests. Under laboratory conditions the defeat device would ensure the vehicles engine ran below normal power and performance.
That way the software would manipulate emissions data to ensure the vehicle would be cleared for sale in the US. In fact it was found that the cars emissions were 30 times the limit set by the US.
Volkswagen admitted that 11 million of its diesel vehicles worldwide were fitted with the software.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined the automaker a massive $18 billion.
After the scandal hit other countries opened investigations into Volkswagen including South Korea India Australia and the European Union.
Globally the automaker recalled 2.4 million cars including 324000 cars from its Volkswagen Audi and Skoda brands in India.
Recently worries have emerged over excessive toxic emissions by one of Audis top-selling models the Euro 6 diesel generation A3. If found to hold water the results could lead to full-scale investigations into the VW group company.
This does not bode well for its reputation as its parent brand is already under massive scrutiny all over the world.
Mitsubishis fuel economy scandal
In 2016 Japanese automaker Mitsubishi admitted to manipulating mileage in a scandal that sent its market value tumbling.
According to the automaker it overstated mileage on four mini-vehicles including two models it produced for Nissan Motor Co.
Mitsubishi admitted to using unapproved methods to calculate mileage for 25 years. It accepted that it used estimates rather than actual data from tests to calculate the fuel economy of its mini-vehicles.
Following this the company decided to stop production and sales of the affected models and probe the cars sold overseas. However in June 2016 the Japanese authorities allowed Mitsubishi to resume sales of the automobiles after it was observed that the vehicles fuel economy was around 11 per cent lower than publicised. Thus the results of the test conducted by the government would not change the way the vehicles were classified in the country.
Teslas autopilot mode
Tesla unveiled its much-awaited autopilot system in 2015. The system was touted to allow the vehicle to automatically change lanes manage speed and even brake in certain conditions. The system is a semi-autonomous driving system activated and overridden by the driver.
However in July 2016 the company announced that a person in Florida had died while using the autopilot self-drive mechanism on its Model S electric car. However it was at pains to emphasize that this is the first known fatality in just over 209 million kilometres where autopilot was activated.
In August 2016 in Beijing one of Teslas cars crashed while on autopilot mode. Though there were no casualties the driver blamed the carmakers sales staff for exaggerating the vehicles actual self-driving features.
While Tesla launched its own investigation into the incident it clarified that it was the drivers responsibility to maintain control of the vehicle. In this particular case the drivers hands were not detected on the steering wheel.
In September 2016 the company announced updation of the autopilot with alterations that may have prevented the fatality in Florida.
Fiat Chryslers rollaway accidents
In April of 2016 the worlds seventh-largest automaker Fiat Chrysler recalled over 1.1 million vehicles after it was found that the automobiles might roll away after the drivers exit.
The issue was seen to be linked to 41 injuries 212 crashes and 308 reports of property damage.
Fiat Chrysler wrote to vehicle owners after announcing the recall asking them to ensure that their vehicles were in park.
While the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) alleged that the vehicles transmission gear selector posed a safety issue the company did not acknowledge any design flaws.
Instead Fiat Chrysler claimed rollaways occurred because drivers mistakenly believed they placed the vehicle in park before getting out.
In June 2016 Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin died after being crushed when his recalled 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled backward and pinned him against a wall and fence. If the accident is proven to have been caused by the recall issue he would become its first fatality.
The same month owners of the Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles filed a class-action complaint against the automaker alleging that it concealed a shifter design defect associated with the rollaway accidents.
Read more:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/miscellaneous/top-five-automotive-scandals-in-2016/articleshow/56295191.cms
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How Long Does €4000 In Cash Last In A Dublin Carpark?https://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/how-long-does-eur4000-in-cash-last-in-a-dublin-carpark2017-01-04T14:12:55.826000Z2017-01-04T14:12:53ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p>Over one hundred people have taken advantage of free money. A scrap car was submerged in €4,000 of coins in a Dublin car park in a stunt by SKODA.</p><br></br> <p>Raymond Leddy, Head of Marketing at ŠKODA Ireland, said “We viewed this as a social experiment of sorts and had no idea how people would react to it when we plonked a scrap car into €4,000 of coins in a public car park.”</p><br></br> <p>“It turns out the people of Dublin are remarkably honest – it took a full hour before anyone was brave enough to pick up the coins and claim them as their own”.</p><br></br> <p>A number of people said they would be donating the coins they collected to charity.</p><br></br> </div>
<div></div><br></br> <p>The stunt was mounted by ŠKODA Ireland to launch their new scrappage deal which allows you to transform your old car into €4,000 when you trade it in for a new ŠKODA model.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.98fm.com/How-Long-Does-4000-In-Cash-Last-In-A-Dublin-Carpark"> http://www.98fm.com/How-Long-Does-4000-In-Cash-Last-In-A-Dublin-Carpark</a></p><br></br> <p>We also buy scrap cars: <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/scrap-cars/"> http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/scrap-cars/</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/long-e4000-cash-last-dublin-carpark/">How Long Does €4000 In Cash Last In A Dublin Carpark?</a> appeared first on <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/long-e4000-cash-last-dublin-carpark/">http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/long-e4000-cash-last-dublin-carpark/</a>Fiat Chrysler and Google team up on a concept automotive infotainment system powered by Androidhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/fiat-chrysler-and-google-team-up-on-a-concept-automotive-infotainment-system-powered-by-android2017-01-04T14:13:11.029000Z2017-01-04T14:12:53ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p><a href="http://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/nexus2cee_FCA-Logo-Hero-728x485.png"><img src="http://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F01%2Fnexus2cee_FCA-Logo-Hero-728x485.png&w=728"></img><br></br> <br></br> </a></p><br></br> </div>
<div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> <p>CES is upon us and the cool, new announcements are incoming. Showing itself to be an early bird, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced a collaboration on a new concept for an automobile infotainment system powered by Android. Goody, another one.<span></span></p><br></br> <p>All snide comments aside, this is not Android Auto in any way. Instead, this is FCA’s Uconnect branding built on top of AOSP. The auto manufacturer claims that its “award-winning” system will maintain its current interface while offering the underlying power of Android. This means that it will have access to Assistant, Maps, and other popular apps like Pandora, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and so on.</p><br></br> <p>Since Uconnect is limited to FCA vehicles, don’t expect to see any other brands with this concept. This is not the first time that a large auto maker has partnered with a tech giant — just remember Microsoft and Ford with Ford Sync.</p><br></br> <p>FCA will be showing off tech demos at CES, so if you are attending, go check it out.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/01/02/fiat-chrysler-google-team-concept-automotive-infotainment-system-powered-android/"> http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/01/02/fiat-chrysler-google-team-concept-automotive-infotainment-system-powered-android/</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/fiat-chrysler-google-team-concept-automotive-infotainment-system-powered-android/">Fiat Chrysler and Google team up on a concept automotive infotainment system powered by Android</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/fiat-chrysler-google-team-concept-automotive-infotainment-system-powered-android/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/fiat-chrysler-google-team-concept-automotive-infotainment-system-powered-android/</a>Continental CEO says jobs will be lost in shift to electric carshttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/continental-ceo-says-jobs-will-be-lost-in-shift-to-electric-cars2017-01-01T21:39:22.984000Z2017-01-01T21:39:20ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <div><div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><img src="http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20161230/ANE/161239999/AR/0/AR-161239999.jpg&q=80&MaxW=300&cci_ts=20161230081425"></img><br></br> <br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div>FRANKFURT — The shift to electric vehicles will cost jobs at Continental, the supplier’s CEO, Elmar Degenhart, told a German newspaper, but he said many of those jobs would be offset by new positions related to electro-mobility.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div></div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>“Due to the low added value, production jobs will be lost,” German weekly <em>Welt am Sonntag</em> quoted Degenhart as saying in a summary of an article to be published on Sunday.</p><br></br> <p>He said it was too soon to say whether the number of jobs that would be lost would be bigger of smaller than the number of new positions created.</p><br></br> <p>“There is enough time to design the process such that the blow is softened and major pain can be avoided,” he said.</p><br></br> <p>Some 30,000 of 218,000 jobs at Continental are dependent on combustion engines, the paper said.</p><br></br> <p>Continental said last month it would increase spending on electric-car components in coming years but expects to avert any major impact on its earnings through additional sales from new r&d projects.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://europe.autonews.com/article/20161230/ANE/161239999/continental-ceo-says-jobs-will-be-lost-in-shift-to-electric-cars"> http://europe.autonews.com/article/20161230/ANE/161239999/continental-ceo-says-jobs-will-be-lost-in-shift-to-electric-cars</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://cork.cashforcarsireland.com/continental-ceo-says-jobs-will-lost-shift-electric-cars/">Continental CEO says jobs will be lost in shift to electric cars</a> appeared first on <a href="http://cork.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://cork.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://cork.cashforcarsireland.com/continental-ceo-says-jobs-will-lost-shift-electric-cars/">http://cork.cashforcarsireland.com/continental-ceo-says-jobs-will-lost-shift-electric-cars/</a>Bengal to auction scrap, car sheds of Tata Motors lying in Singurhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/bengal-to-auction-scrap-car-sheds-of-tata-motors-lying-in-singur2017-01-01T20:49:28.007000Z2017-01-01T20:49:25ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div>When the plant was relocated in 2008 to Sanand, much of the machine and materials from the site (pictured) at Singur were removed.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> <div><img src="http://bsmedia.business-standard.com/_media/bs/img/article/2016-12/26/full/1482699044-2466.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> </div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div>Having fulfilled the commitment of returning land to the farmers of Singur, the West Bengal government is planning to auction the metal scrap and car sheds of Tata Motors lying at the stackyard in Singur, Hooghly.</div><br></br> <p><span><br></br> </span></p><br></br> <div>“An internal assessment is being done to set a reserve price,” government officials said. The assessment is expected to be completed by December and the auction could be done sometime in January. When asked, a Tata Motors spokesperson said: “We do not have any comments on this at the moment.”</div><br></br> <p><span><br></br> </span></p><br></br> <div>On August 31, the Supreme Court set aside the acquisition of 997 acres by the Left Front-led West Bengal government in 2006 to help Tata Motors set up its Nano plant in Singur. The timeline set by the court for redistributing the land was 12 weeks.</div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p><span><br></br> </span></p><br></br> <div>The state government had initially asked Tata Motors to dismantle the structure at the site, but the company conveyed that its case in the Supreme Court was still pending. Following this, the state went ahead with dismantling of the structures at the site to pave the way for returning the land to farmers.</div><br></br> <p><span><br></br> </span></p><br></br> <div>The case being referred to by the company is the one filed by the state government, against the order of a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, which had struck down the Singur Act of 2011, vesting the entire land with the state government. The Supreme Court verdict in August, on the other hand, was on the special leave petitions filed by farmers and some public interest organisations on the process of land acquisition.</div><br></br> <p><span><br></br> </span></p><br></br> <div>In keeping with the court directive, almost all the land has been returned to farmers and cheques have been distributed to the ‘unwilling’ farmers. “Less than 100 acres remain to be distributed as the land titles were not clear or they were not residing in Singur,” officials said.</div><br></br> <p><span><br></br> </span></p><br></br> <div>Among the major structures at the site was the Nano mother plant spread over 150,000 sq ft. At the time of relocation to Sanand in Gujarat, following an indefinite agitation by the ‘unwilling’ farmers of Singur, Tata Motors had completed 95 per cent work. Also, 13 vendors had constructed plant and building, while 17 vendors were in various stages of construction. Some of the structures at the project site belonged to the ancillary units.</div><br></br> <p><span><br></br> </span></p><br></br> <div>However, when the plant was relocated in 2008 to Sanand, much of the machine and materials from the site were removed. But even then, a significant amount of scrap was still be lying at the stackyard.</div><br></br> <p><span><br></br> </span></p><br></br> <div>A petition filed by Tata Motors in 2011 in the Calcutta High Court said its losses were around Rs 1,400 crore and the vendors had invested Rs 338 crore. But, what percentage of the Rs 1,400 crore could be apportioned to the scrap and structures will be known only after the assessment.</div><br></br> <p><span><br></br> </span></p><br></br> <div>Tata Motors’ latest annual report said that during FY15, it had made a provision for carrying capital cost of buildings at Singur, which amounted to Rs 309.9 crore. The figure excluded other assets (including electrical installations) and expenses written off/provided in earlier years, security expenses, lease rent and claim for interest on the whole amount.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/bengal-to-auction-scrap-car-sheds-of-tata-motors-lying-in-singur-116122500657_1.html"> http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/bengal-to-auction-scrap-car-sheds-of-tata-motors-lying-in-singur-116122500657_1.html</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/bengal-auction-scrap-car-sheds-tata-motors-lying-singur/">Bengal to auction scrap, car sheds of Tata Motors lying in Singur</a> appeared first on <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/bengal-auction-scrap-car-sheds-tata-motors-lying-singur/">http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/bengal-auction-scrap-car-sheds-tata-motors-lying-singur/</a>Toyota’s hybrid bet in Europe finally pays offhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/toyotas-hybrid-bet-in-europe-finally-pays-off-22016-12-31T17:59:51.069000Z2016-12-31T17:59:48ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <img src="http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20161229/ANE/161229890/AR/0/AR-161229890.jpg&MaxW=622&cci_ts=20161229034825"></img><br></br> <br></br> <div>Toyota will not sell a diesel version of the new C-HR.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>For years, Toyota Motor Corp. focused on pushing its hybrid models in Europe, avoiding a diesel-for-diesel competition with market leaders including Volkswagen Group. The Japanese carmaker’s strategy is finally paying off.</p><br></br> <p>In the first full year since Volkswagen’s emissions scandal threw the German giant into disarray, Toyota is on track for roughly a 40 percent jump in annual sales of gasoline-electric vehicles in Europe. Hybrids are set to account for more than half of Toyota’s deliveries for the region by the end of the decade, according to Karl Schlicht, executive vice president of the carmaker’s European division.</p><br></br> <p>Toyota’s Europe dilemma was a product mismatch rather than a regulatory crisis. At the beginning of the decade, when demand for its Prius was surging in other markets like the U.S., the model barely attracted buyers in Europe, where more than half of industrywide sales are diesels. After Volkswagen’s scandal undermined those powertrains, Toyota’s strategic decision to avoid pitting its models directly against diesel vehicles and force its dealers toward hybrids is now yielding results.</p><br></br> <p>“When you have a strategy driven by necessity and it’s doing the right thing for the customers and the world, it’s a very powerful force,” Schlicht said in an interview. “We kind of had to do it, and that made us focus.”</p><br></br> <p>Toyota is still a small player in Europe, where it had a 4.3 percent market share in the 11 months through November, well behind the leader Volkswagen’s 24.1 percent, according to the European industry association ACEA. Still, it’s in an enviable position with Volkswagen and diesel-reliant peers including BMW, Daimler and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles now needing to shift gears to electrified powertrains.</p><br></br> <p>Eric Felber, a VW spokesman, declined to comment on the rise in hybrid sales at the expense of diesel cars.</p><br></br> <p>Shares of Toyota have fallen 8.7 percent this year, compared with Daimler’s 8.7 percent drop and gains of 2.1 percent at Volkswagen and 2.4 percent at Fiat Chrysler.</p><br></br> <p><strong>Diesel’s demise?</strong></p><br></br> <p>UBS analysts in a report this month forecast that diesel will almost disappear by 2025 and be replaced by hybrids and battery-electric vehicles. Athens, Madrid, Mexico City and Paris have pledged to phase out diesel vehicles by 2025 in a bid to curb pollution.</p><br></br> <p>“Diesel is on its way out for cars; we’ve seen the beginning of the end,” Alexander Nix, a Toyota dealer in Germany since 1980, said by phone. “Once we see further restrictions on emissions and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrecking_yard">wrecking yards</a>, it’s just going to be too expensive. We’ve already seen that now.”</p><br></br> <p>Dealers were singing a different tune when Schlicht, the Toyota Europe sales chief, returned to an executive role in the market in 2012, after a stint managing Lexus product and marketing planning in Japan. His assessment of the carmaker’s position at that time was grim: Toyota lacked the scale, visibility and pricing power to compete.</p><br></br> <p>“Our dealers at the beginning of this period were very much like, ‘You guys need more diesels,'” Schlicht said. Before auto shows in Geneva, Paris or Frankfurt, he braced for criticism. “Put your helmet on; you’re going to get beat up because we don’t have enough diesels.”</p><br></br> <p><strong>Hybrid focus</strong></p><br></br> <p>Toyota started directing its distributors and dealers to focus entirely on hybrids, even though they were accounting for just a fraction of the company’s sales mix. If a customer wanted to go for a test drive in, say, a Yaris, they had to take a spin in the hybrid before they could try the diesel.</p><br></br> <p>When Toyota coupled this retail strategy with an all-hybrid marketing campaign, its auto buyers started becoming hybrid converts. Dealers had little trouble reselling used hybrids that were traded in by customers because they tend to retain more of their residual value.</p><br></br> <p>“There is no strategy that the carmaker can make if the front line doesn’t buy in,” Tom Fux, the Cologne-based president of Toyota Germany, said by phone. “For us, hybrid is the key focus.”</p><br></br> <p>By the time hybrids reach about 50 percent to 60 percent of Toyota Europe’s sales mix, the company will be selling about 400,000 or 500,000 units per year, Schlicht estimates. In the January-November period, hybrids accounted for about 32 percent of its sales in the region.</p><br></br> <p><strong>Shifted mindset</strong></p><br></br> <p>Corporate fleet operators and leasing companies, which play an outsize role in Europe’s auto market, have begun to feel exposed as residual values for diesels begin to shrink, and they’re starting to talk with Toyota about increasing hybrids as a portion of their business mix.</p><br></br> <p>Another significant factor will be the newly introduced C-HR, a latecomer to the fast-growing compact sport utility vehicle segment. Toyota will build the model at a plant in Turkey, and about 75 percent of initial orders have been for the hybrid version, Schlicht said. The model won’t offer a diesel engine option.</p><br></br> <p>“We’re not anti-diesel, but the mindset has shifted,” Schlicht said of Toyota Europe’s dealers and distributors. “It’s moved on, and now they’re really into selling hybrids.”</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://europe.autonews.com/article/20161229/ANE/161229890/toyotas-hybrid-bet-in-europe-finally-pays-off"> http://europe.autonews.com/article/20161229/ANE/161229890/toyotas-hybrid-bet-in-europe-finally-pays-off</a></p><br></br> <p><a href="http://dublin.ratemyarea.com/places/cash-for-cars-ireland-327134">We buy any car</a> so contact us for a quote</p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/toyotas-hybrid-bet-europe-finally-pays-off/">Toyota’s hybrid bet in Europe finally pays off</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/toyotas-hybrid-bet-europe-finally-pays-off/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/toyotas-hybrid-bet-europe-finally-pays-off/</a>Crews put out scrap metal fire in Suffolkhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/crews-put-out-scrap-metal-fire-in-suffolk2016-12-30T17:54:29.638000Z2016-12-30T17:54:26ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p><img src="http://resize.tegna-media.com/remote/content.13newsnow.com/photo/2016/12/29/Suburban-Dr-fire-12-29-16-2_1483029561188_7495205_ver1.0.jpg?preset=wx-large"></img><br></br> <br></br> </p><br></br> <p>(Photo: City of Suffolk)</p><br></br> <p>SUFFOLK, Va. (WVEC) — Emergency crews were on the scene of a scrap metal fire Thursday morning in Suffolk.</p><br></br> <p>A call came in reporting the fire at 8:39 a.m. Timothy Kelley with Suffolk Police said the incident happened at Suffolk Recycling located in the 200 block of Suburban Drive.</p><br></br> <p>According to Battalion Chief David Harrell, crews arrived to the scene at 8:47 a.m. to find heavy black smoke and flames coming from the outside of a crushing operation involving scrap cars.</p><br></br> <p>The flames were put out at 9:31 a.m. and no injuries were reported, officials said.</p><br></br> <p>The cause of the fire was ruled accidental.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.13newsnow.com/news/local/mycity/suffolk/crews-put-out-scrap-metal-fire-in-suffolk/380188210"> http://www.13newsnow.com/news/local/mycity/suffolk/crews-put-out-scrap-metal-fire-in-suffolk/380188210</a></p><br></br> <p>We also buy scrap cars: <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/scrap-cars/"> http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/scrap-cars/</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/crews-put-scrap-metal-fire-suffolk/">Crews put out scrap metal fire in Suffolk</a> appeared first on <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/crews-put-scrap-metal-fire-suffolk/">http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/crews-put-scrap-metal-fire-suffolk/</a></div>
Toyota’s hybrid bet in Europe finally pays offhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/toyotas-hybrid-bet-in-europe-finally-pays-off2016-12-29T21:29:30.166000Z2016-12-29T21:29:27ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <img src="http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20161229/ANE/161229890/AR/0/AR-161229890.jpg&MaxW=622&cci_ts=20161229034614"></img><br></br> <br></br> <div>Toyota will not sell a diesel version of the new C-HR.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>For years, Toyota Motor Corp. focused on pushing its hybrid models in Europe, avoiding a diesel-for-diesel competition with market leaders including Volkswagen Group. The Japanese carmaker’s strategy is finally paying off.</p><br></br> <p>In the first full year since Volkswagen’s emissions scandal threw the German giant into disarray, Toyota is on track for roughly a 40 percent jump in annual sales of gasoline-electric vehicles in Europe. Hybrids are set to account for more than half of Toyota’s deliveries for the region by the end of the decade, according to Karl Schlicht, executive vice president of the carmaker’s European division.</p><br></br> <p>Toyota’s Europe dilemma was a product mismatch rather than a regulatory crisis. At the beginning of the decade, when demand for its Prius was surging in other markets like the U.S., the model barely attracted buyers in Europe, where more than half of industrywide sales are diesels. After Volkswagen’s scandal undermined those powertrains, Toyota’s strategic decision to avoid pitting its models directly against diesel vehicles and force its dealers toward hybrids is now yielding results.</p><br></br> <p>“When you have a strategy driven by necessity and it’s doing the right thing for the customers and the world, it’s a very powerful force,” Schlicht said in an interview. “We kind of had to do it, and that made us focus.”</p><br></br> <p>Toyota is still a small player in Europe, where it had a 4.3 percent market share in the 11 months through November, well behind the leader Volkswagen’s 24.1 percent, according to the European industry association ACEA. Still, it’s in an enviable position with Volkswagen and diesel-reliant peers including BMW, Daimler and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles now needing to shift gears to electrified powertrains.</p><br></br> <p>Eric Felber, a VW spokesman, declined to comment on the rise in hybrid sales at the expense of diesel cars.</p><br></br> <p>Shares of Toyota have fallen 8.7 percent this year, compared with Daimler’s 8.7 percent drop and gains of 2.1 percent at Volkswagen and 2.4 percent at Fiat Chrysler.</p><br></br> <p><strong>Diesel’s demise?</strong></p><br></br> <p>UBS analysts in a report this month forecast that diesel will almost disappear by 2025 and be replaced by hybrids and battery-electric vehicles. Athens, Madrid, Mexico City and Paris have pledged to phase out diesel vehicles by 2025 in a bid to curb pollution.</p><br></br> <p>“Diesel is on its way out for cars; we’ve seen the beginning of the end,” Alexander Nix, a Toyota dealer in Germany since 1980, said by phone. “Once we see further restrictions on emissions, it’s just going to be too expensive. We’ve already seen that now.”</p><br></br> <p>Dealers were singing a different tune when Schlicht, the Toyota Europe sales chief, returned to an executive role in the market in 2012, after a stint managing Lexus product and marketing planning in Japan. His assessment of the carmaker’s position at that time was grim: Toyota lacked the scale, visibility and pricing power to compete.</p><br></br> <p>“Our dealers at the beginning of this period were very much like, ‘You guys need more diesels,'” Schlicht said. Before auto shows in Geneva, Paris or Frankfurt, he braced for criticism. “Put your helmet on; you’re going to get beat up because we don’t have enough diesels.”</p><br></br> <p><strong>Hybrid focus</strong></p><br></br> <p>Toyota started directing its distributors and dealers to focus entirely on hybrids, even though they were accounting for just a fraction of the company’s sales mix. If a customer wanted to go for a test drive in, say, a Yaris, they had to take a spin in the hybrid before they could try the diesel.</p><br></br> <p>When Toyota coupled this retail strategy with an all-hybrid marketing campaign, its auto buyers started becoming hybrid converts. Dealers had little trouble reselling used hybrids that were traded in by customers because they tend to retain more of their residual value.</p><br></br> <p>“There is no strategy that the carmaker can make if the front line doesn’t buy in,” Tom Fux, the Cologne-based president of Toyota Germany, said by phone. “For us, hybrid is the key focus.”</p><br></br> <p>By the time hybrids reach about 50 percent to 60 percent of Toyota Europe’s sales mix, the company will be selling about 400,000 or 500,000 units per year, Schlicht estimates. In the January-November period, hybrids accounted for about 32 percent of its sales in the region.</p><br></br> <p><strong>Shifted mindset</strong></p><br></br> <p>Corporate fleet operators and leasing companies, which play an outsize role in Europe’s auto market, have begun to feel exposed as residual values for diesels begin to shrink, and they’re starting to talk with Toyota about increasing hybrids as a portion of their business mix.</p><br></br> <p>Another significant factor will be the newly introduced C-HR, a latecomer to the fast-growing compact sport utility vehicle segment. Toyota will build the model at a plant in Turkey, and about 75 percent of initial orders have been for the hybrid version, Schlicht said. The model won’t offer a diesel engine option.</p><br></br> <p>“We’re not anti-diesel, but the mindset has shifted,” Schlicht said of Toyota Europe’s dealers and distributors. “It’s moved on, and now they’re really into selling hybrids.”</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://europe.autonews.com/article/20161229/ANE/161229890/toyotas-hybrid-bet-in-europe-finally-pays-off"> http://europe.autonews.com/article/20161229/ANE/161229890/toyotas-hybrid-bet-in-europe-finally-pays-off</a></p><br></br> <p><a href="http://www.brownbook.net/business/41541938/cash-for-cars-ireland---belfast">We buy any car</a> so contact us for a quote</p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/toyotas-hybrid-bet-europe-finally-pays-off/">Toyota’s hybrid bet in Europe finally pays off</a> appeared first on <a href="http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/toyotas-hybrid-bet-europe-finally-pays-off/">http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/toyotas-hybrid-bet-europe-finally-pays-off/</a>Premium brands on track to win battle for midsize segmenthttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/premium-brands-on-track-to-win-battle-for-midsize-segment2016-12-28T20:39:34.127000Z2016-12-28T20:39:31ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <img src="http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20161227/ANE/161229969/AR/0/AR-161229969.jpg&MaxW=622&cci_ts=20161223051310"></img><br></br> <br></br> <div>New models such as the Jaguar XE are boosting the premium midsize segment.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>Sales of luxury midsize cars in Europe are on track to top sales of mass-market rivals this year for the first time as buyers looking to move upscale increasingly choose Mercedes, Audi or BMW cars over mass-market brands.</p><br></br> <p>European sales of premium midsize models jumped by 8 percent to 652,000 through November while sales of mainstream midsize cars rose by just 1 percent to 582,000, according to JATO Dynamics market researchers.</p><br></br> <p>The trend is likely to continue in December, giving premium brand the greater share of European midsize new-car sales.</p><br></br> <p>“Aspirational” buyers seeking upscale models are helping premium midsize sales to grow faster than their mainstream counterparts, said JATO Dynamics global analyst Felipe Munoz.</p><br></br> <p>Sales of mass-market midsize cars such as the Volkswagen Passat or Ford Mondeo are also being hit by the increasing popularity of SUV/crossovers, Munoz said.</p><br></br> <p>German premium brands have also been expanded their midsize lineups beyond traditional sedans and station wagons with cars such as the BMW 3 series GT fastback and the Audi A5 range. For BMW, renaming its 3-series coupe as the the BMW 4 series coupe has been a success.</p><br></br> <p>Premium automakers are also now selling cheaper entry-level models and new luxury midsize cars such as the Jaguar XE and Alfa Romeo Giulia also have boosted sales.</p><br></br> <p>“There are fewer and fewer reasons to buy a large mainstream sedan or station wagon,@ Munoz said.</p><br></br> <p>Among mass-market brands, automakers such as Fiat, Honda and Nissan have exited the midsize segment in Europe.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://europe.autonews.com/article/20161227/ANE/161229969/premium-brands-on-track-to-win-battle-for-midsize-segment"> http://europe.autonews.com/article/20161227/ANE/161229969/premium-brands-on-track-to-win-battle-for-midsize-segment</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/premium-brands-track-win-battle-midsize-segment/">Premium brands on track to win battle for midsize segment</a> appeared first on <a href="http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/premium-brands-track-win-battle-midsize-segment/">http://belfast.cashforcarsireland.com/premium-brands-track-win-battle-midsize-segment/</a>Speeding drivers cars should be sold for scrap metal: MPhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/speeding-drivers-cars-should-be-sold-for-scrap-metal-mp2016-12-28T16:24:24.051000Z2016-12-28T16:24:21ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
SELL their cars for scrap metal.
Thats what former Queensland attorney-general and State Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie believes should happen to drivers clocked driving at eye-watering speeds on the Bruce Hwy on Christmas Day.
One driver was nabbed by police doing 190kmh in a 110kmh zone at Glasshouse Mountains while another was recorded as going 179kmh in a 110k/h zone at Landsborough.
The two were among almost 1600 caught speeding over the Christmas weekend and Mr Bleijie who along with his colleagues in the former Newman government helped bring in what had been hailed as the nations toughest anti-hooning laws said he was dumbfounded by the offences.
As a local resident and Member of Parliament with three young kids it sickens me to hear stories that someone could be so foolish and such an idiot to drive to that speed and my personal view is these people should have their cars confiscated and sold for scrap metal Mr Bleijie said.
He said if the cars were decent he would also like to see them collected and donated or sold off to help charities.
NOT IMPRESSED: Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie.Patrick Woods
Mr Bleijie said he was proud of the work the LNP had done to crack down on hooning saying thousands of cars had been confiscated and impounded as a result of the legislation they introduced which created two types of hooning offences and took more than 13000 vehicles off the streets in the first 12 months.
Type 1 hooning offences including dangerous or careless driving promoting or taking part in street races or evading police resulted in the driven vehicle being impounded for 90 days on the first offence while Type 2 offences increased the scale of punishments increase from the second offence.
Mr Bleijies words came on the back of calls from a Sunshine Coast Daily reader to have stricter penalties enforced against drivers under the influence of drug or alcohol or driving at unacceptably high speed as a deterrent.
The reader said the cost of policing these crimes and the inconvenience they caused to families of police and public service providers at this time should be paid for by those guilty of the offences with vehicles impounded and sold for excessive breaches of the law with the proceeds used to cover the cost of enforcing the law.
Not only are these law-breakers a danger to themselves and other road users but they then impact on public services such as emergency hospitals ambulance and paramedic services police and traffic investigators that are all paid by taxpayers the reader said.
The cost of these public services should be covered by the perpetrators whether by sale of assets garnisheeing wages or deductions from welfare.
Queensland Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said tough financial and licence demerit-point penalties were already in place for those who continued to speed or drive dangerously.
He said new measures including double demerit points for repeat mobile-phone offences by drivers had been introduced by the Palaszczuk Government to combat bad driving behaviour after 62 deaths were recorded on Queensland roads in 2015 as a result of speed-related crashes.
The current penalty for speeding more than 40kmh over the limit is a $1137 fine eight demerit points and a six-month licence suspension.
Read more:http://www.qt.com.au/news/speeding-drivers-cars-should-be-sold-for-scrap-met/3126622/
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Here’s a few great automotive gifts for the enthusiast in your lifehttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/heres-a-few-great-automotive-gifts-for-the-enthusiast-in-your-life2016-12-28T16:24:24.641000Z2016-12-28T16:24:20ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><img src="http://cdn.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Engraved-Blueprints-bmw-750x500.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>Late for holiday gifts for loved ones? Are any of those loved ones car enthusiasts? Well, if you answered yes to both of those questions, …</p><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div><br></br> <div></div><br></br> <p>Late for holiday gifts for loved ones? Are any of those loved ones car enthusiasts? Well, if you answered yes to both of those questions, our friends at ChoiceGear has you covered. ChoiceGear curates tons of automotive-inspired gifts for the car enthusiast in your life, even if that car enthusiasts is you. You’ve worked hard this year, get yourself something nice, kid (I sounded like Joe Pesci in my head, there).</p><br></br> <p>Whether it be clothing, model cars are even motorsport-inspired accessories, such as laptop bags or wall clocks, ChoiceGear will guide your way to it. They will show you car gear from basically very brand you can imagine, from Aston Martin to BMW to Land Rover. Whatever your enthusiast’s favorite car brand is, it’s likely they’ve got something.</p><br></br> <p><img src="http://cdn.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Engraved-Blueprints-BMW-M6-750x557.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> </p><br></br> <p>For the BMW fans out there, there’s a great engraved blueprint art, which is an awesome gift for any BMW enthusiast, as it can be made to any exact car. So if the enthusiast in your life has a beloved BMW, you can have its blueprint engraved into this artwork. There’s also a really cool E30 M3 1:18 scale model car by AUTOart.</p><br></br> <p>So if you forgot to get someone some gifts for the holidays and that person has a love for the automobile, ChoiceGear is a great place to find what you’re looking for.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.bmwblog.com/2016/12/27/heres-great-automotive-gifts-enthusiast-life/"> http://www.bmwblog.com/2016/12/27/heres-great-automotive-gifts-enthusiast-life/</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/heres-great-automotive-gifts-enthusiast-life/">Here’s a few great automotive gifts for the enthusiast in your life</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/heres-great-automotive-gifts-enthusiast-life/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/heres-great-automotive-gifts-enthusiast-life/</a>BEST PRODUCTS OF 2016: AUTOMOTIVEhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/best-products-of-2016-automotive2016-12-26T20:25:12.481000Z2016-12-26T20:25:09ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
WINNER
MAZDA MX-5 MIATA
As products go cars fall into the unique position between utility and entertainment so picking the best one overall that we drove in 2016 is quite the task. A car can be useless but fun or practical yet boring and both could still be considered good. With that in mind we took a step back to see what cars this year satisfied the basic essence of driving and the Mazda MX-5 was tough to beat.
Mazdas plucky roadster evokes extreme emotion on both ends of the spectrum some love it some loathe it. But the ones who sing its praises are more often or not the ones who actually spent some time behind the wheel.
With three pedals a handbrake a naturally-aspirated engine and a rear-wheel drive setup the Miata conforms to a purists configuration. The 2.0-liter four-pot under the hood gins up 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. For a roadster that weighs roughly 2300 pounds thats plenty of pep to have fun with yet remain manageable; no monstrous horsepower to fear but no less enjoyable.
Complementing the power punch is its phenomenal steering braking and suspension tuning. While enthusiasts might bemoan Mazdas decision to ditch the hydraulic steering rack for an electrically assisted unit this is easily one of the best systems available. Not only is turn-in lightning quick but weight also builds as the g-forces do mid-corner leading to a natural balanced feel.
Analog as it may seem the Mazda MX-5 still meets modern digital needs. Mazdas Connect infotainment system is one of the best in the industry with excellent feedback from the selection dial quick responses from the system intelligent button redundancies and clear navigation readout.
Driving purity under $30K and it wont tear your head off? Sounds like a worthy ride for enthusiasts across the board.
Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/best-products-of-2016-automotive/#ixzz4TyG8i53E
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Automotive fuel economy penalties pushed back to the 2019 model yearhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/automotive-fuel-economy-penalties-pushed-back-to-the-2019-model-year2016-12-25T15:20:22.187000Z2016-12-25T15:20:19ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
Automakers got an early holiday present according to both The Detroit News and Automotive News: NHTSA has decided to postpone increased fines for fuel economy violations. The original ruling which was made this past July would have gone into effect this year and applied to 2015 model year vehicles. Now the fine increase wont be enforced until the 2019 model year.
The increase the automakers were facing was substantial. The way the fine works currently is that for every tenth of a mile per gallon the automaker is over the limit it is charged $5.50. That cost is then multiplied by every car the company sold in that model year. The increase would have brought the $5.50/car fine to $14 with NHTSAs reasoning being that the fine hadnt changed since the 1998 model year. Even with the current $5.50 figure though fines can reach into the millions based on past NHTSA fines. The increase would make those fines even more massive. For example Jaguar Land Rover was fined $14110470 in 2013 using the current method. Substituting the $14 figure into the equation and the fine would become $35917560. So when we said substantial we meant it.
According to The Detroit News a NHTSA spokesperson told them that the fine increase was delayed in part due to lobbyists which Automotive News identified as the Alliance of Automotive Manufacturers and the Association of Global Automakers. The lobbyists argued that the retroactive application plus the fact that car companies had finalized plans for models up to 2018 before this new rule was made made it so that automakers were unable to adjust to and address the rule.
This news comes at an interesting time for fuel economy regulation. Currently the EPA is trying to finalize the proposed 2025 CAFE target of 54.5 mpg. Meanwhile automaker lobbyist groups are pushing to bring that number down. The next few months should be pretty interesting.
Read more:http://www.autoblog.com/2016/12/21/automotive-fuel-economy-penalties-pushed-back/
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Fire crews tackle huge blaze involving 50 cars at Salford scrapyardhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/fire-crews-tackle-huge-blaze-involving-50-cars-at-salford-scrapyard2016-12-25T14:05:39.916000Z2016-12-25T14:05:37ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>Picture taken from a distance of the fire on Langley Road South (Photo: Wendy Bowater)
Dozens of firefighters are tackling a major blaze in Salford.
Crews were scrambled to Langley Road in Lower Kersal Salford after a number of 999 calls reporting the fire.
A fire service spokesman said its believed the blaze involves around 50 cars on land behind Salford Car Breakers Ltd.
Currently around 30 firefighters are at the scene.
Residents are being advised to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution.
A dramatic image taken of the blaze by a witness from across Littleton Road playing fields captures the extent of the emergency.
Fire crews are using an aerial platform to fight the flames from above and there havent been reports of any injuries as yet. Its understood that some of the vehicles on fire are scrap cars.
Firefighters in Salford are fighting a big fire in a scrap yard on Langley Road residents in Lower Kersal keep doors and windows closed.
Manchester Fire (@manchesterfire) December 11 2016
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are expected to remain at the site for a number of hours and an investigation is expected to be launched to establish a cause.
A spokesman said police have closed the road which runs opposite the River Irwell.
In a statement the fire service said: Residents in Lower Kersal and Broughton are being advised to keep their doors and windows closed while firefighters tackle a large fire involving up to 50 cars in a scrapyard.
Crews were called to the blaze at 4.44pm and immediately requested help to tackle the fire on Langley Road. Around thirty firefighters are using jets and a hydraulic platform vehicle to tackle the blaze and Langley Road is closed near to the junction of Whit Lane.
Read more:http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/fire-crews-tackle-huge-blaze-12305671
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Owning A Ferrari For A Year Was A Disappointmenthttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/owning-a-ferrari-for-a-year-was-a-disappointment2016-12-25T14:05:38.239000Z2016-12-25T14:05:35ZCash For Cars Ireland<div>
Theyre coming for it next week. The shipping company that is. Theyre picking up the Ferrari taking the keys putting it inside a trailer and transporting it far away to a new owner thus bringing to an end my childhood dream of owning a Ferrari. I should be downtrodden; dismayed; depressed. I should take time to gaze at it longingly during the last few days before its departure. I should take it on one final drive with tears welling up in my eyes. I should be browsing AutoTrader for a new one.
The simple truth is that owning a Ferrari for the last year just wasnt all its cracked up to be. Regular readers of my Jalopnik columns wont be surprised to hear this as Ive complained about the car more than Ive praised it. But Ive decided to sum up my experience with one more column that addresses exactly why the childhood dream didnt live up to the adult reality.
Now before I get started I want to stress that owning this car didnt work for me but its important to remember that my experiences arent universal. Some people love these cars and enjoy these cars and wouldnt own anything else and despite my complaints I would love to have another one someday. But from my perspective this car was a disappointment and heres why.
Lets start with the thing that annoyed me most: the attention. As far as I can tell most Ferrari buyers fall precisely into two camps: those who buy the car for the attention and those who buy the car for the driving experience. Admittedly theres some crossover but you can usually distinguish the Lets go on a mountain drive people from the Lets wrap it in neon gold and cruise up and down busy streets crowd.
As for me I prefer the driving experience: few things in life sound more appealing than an uninterrupted hour in the car going through the gears hearing the sounds negotiating curves and staring at the engine through the rearview mirror. But when youre driving a bright red Ferrari uninterrupted isnt really possible.
At every light the guy next to you will ask what it cost. At every gas station a guy in a Chevy pickup will come over and ask if you wanna trade? People will want to take pictures of it next to it and in it. Kids want you to rev so they can put a video on YouTube. And no matter where you drive it everyone goes a little faster when theyre near you eager to prove that they can keep up whether theyre driving a Subaru or a Porsche.
And over the last year Ive indulged every single person with a big smile. The guy who wants to know what it costs gets to sit inside. The guy who asks if I want to trade gets to see the engine up close. Kids get rides parent permitting. And if anyone wants to take a picture with it I grab their camera and invite them to sit behind the wheel. But it gets tiresome. And every so often when Im thinking about taking out the Ferrari for an hour or so Ill pause for a moment and remember the attention. And Ill fire up Forza and drive a Ferrari there instead.
Now I shouldnt say that I dont like attention on the road. In fact I loved it when people would approach me at gas stations restaurants or stoplights when I was driving my E63 AMG wagon or my CTS-V wagon. But thats because those were car people eager to discuss one of the most unusual and most subtle cars on the road. In the Ferrari its everyone coming at you from all sides asking personal questions about how I can afford it and what it cost and what I do for a living. After a while it simply gets old.
Then theres the issue of actually driving it. A lot of car enthusiasts make fun of Ferrari owners since the typical car only covers about 2000 or 3000 miles a year. In the last year I put just over 5000 miles on mine and I discovered the reason why most Ferrari owners are so sparing with their mileage: these cars are difficult to drive.
One reason is simply time. A few months ago a friend perfectly summed up this car to me: its a Point A to Point A car. In other words: this isnt a car you use to go somewhere. Its a car you take out of your house and drive around for a while before you return to your house. You dont go to the mall in it. You dont take it to dinner. You cant pick up anything large and you cant transport more than one person. Its not a vehicle you use. Its a toy to be played with.
And therein lies the problem: most Ferrari owners dont get to the point of owning a Ferrari by having large blocks of free time they can devote to aimlessly driving around for several hours. So the cars sit and sit and sit except for that one weekend in between business trips when the weather is nice and the wife and kids are at the museum and the house is clean and the car is in good working order. As you might imagine this only happens a few times a year. Roughly two thousand miles worth I suspect.
Read more:http://jalopnik.com/owning-a-ferrari-for-a-year-was-a-disappointment-1668355120
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Audi will debut Q8 SUV flagshiphttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/audi-will-debut-q8-suv-flagship2016-12-23T16:27:20.336000Z2016-12-23T16:27:16ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><br></br> <div><br></br> <img src="http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20161222/COPY01/312229910/AR/0/AR-312229910.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> <div>The Q8 concept has a wide single frame grille.</div><br></br> <div>Audi will debut a <strong>near-production concept for its Q8 SUV</strong> flagship at the Detroit auto show next month.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> </div><br></br> <div><br></br> <p>The concept has the “typical spaciousness of an SUV with elegance of a coupe,” Audi said in a statement today.</p><br></br> <p>“With the Audi Q8 concept, we have created a new spearhead within our Q model line. Its design strongly evokes sportiness and prestige,” Audi’s design chief, Marc Lichte, said in the statement.</p><br></br> <p>The concept has a spacious interior with seating for four despite its flat roof line, Audi said.</p><br></br> <p>The car’s octagonal single frame grille is considerably wider than the grille on Audi’s current production models. Many design elements are reminiscent of the 1980s Ur-quattro, Audi said, including the extremely flat but very wide C pillar and the prominent, flared shoulders above the wheels.</p><br></br> <div><br></br> <img src="http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20161222/COPY01/312229910/V2/0/V2-312229910.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> <div>The Q8 concept has a flat roof line,wide C pillar and flared shoulders above the wheels.</div><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>Audi CEO Rupert Stadler announced the brand’s <strong>plans for the Q8</strong> last year, saying the SUV would be aimed at markets such as the U.S., China and the Middle East, where large coupe-styled SUVs are in high demand.</p><br></br> <p>The production Q8 will be built on Volkswagen Group’s newest MLB platform also used by the Q7 and Bentley Bentayga. The Q8 is expected to launch in 2018.</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.autonews.com/article/20161222/COPY01/312229910/1657"> http://www.autonews.com/article/20161222/COPY01/312229910/1657</a></p><br></br> <p>You can also follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/cashforcarseire">twitter</a></p><br></br> </div><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/audi-will-debut-q8-suv-flagship/">Audi will debut Q8 SUV flagship</a> appeared first on <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/audi-will-debut-q8-suv-flagship/">http://kildare.cashforcarsireland.com/audi-will-debut-q8-suv-flagship/</a>Eastside salvage yard cleanup nears completionhttps://cashforcarsireland.postach.io/post/eastside-salvage-yard-cleanup-nears-completion2016-12-23T15:42:05.416000Z2016-12-23T15:42:03ZCash For Cars Ireland<div><p>With the property well on its way to being fully cleared of debris and contaminants, construction of a large new stormwater retention basin at the former Ramirez Salvage, Sale & Towing property on the city’s east side could begin as early as spring 2017, city officials say.</p><br></br> <p>The former salvage yard, located at 828 E. Lincoln Ave., was purchased by the city back in March 2015 with the goal of transforming the property into a large water retention basin that will allow for improved stormwater drainage within the Lincoln Avenue/Steury Avenue corridor.</p><br></br> <p><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Auto_scrapyard_1.jpg"></img><br></br> <br></br> </p><br></br> <p>According to Goshen Brownfield Coordinator Becky Hershberger, the city had planned on using funds from a $1 million grant from the EPA to create the new stormwater retention basin on the property, the funding of which was set to expire July 31, 2016.</p><br></br> </div>
<div></div><br></br> <p>Given the significant amount of junk cars, scrap metal and other materials strewn throughout the large salvage yard at the time of the purchase, property owner Agustin Ramirez was given until July 1, 2015, to have all of that material off of the property so that the city could begin preparations for construction of the new retention area in time to avoid losing the EPA grant funding.</p><br></br> <p>The original plan was to bid the project in February 2016 and award the contract at the Redevelopment Commission’s March 8 meeting, with construction to begin immediately after. However, issues with relocating the huge amount of salvage on the property coupled with problems locating a suitable new site to relocate the scrap resulted in that deadline coming and going with only minor movement at the site.</p><br></br> <p>Faced with the loss of its EPA funding, the city applied for and received a one-year grant extension, effectively pushing the grant expiration date back to July 31, 2017.</p><br></br> <p>“We had to make a strong argument that although nothing had happened up to that point, the planning was in place, we’d acquired the property that was necessary, and we’d made all the plans to make it work,” Hershberger said of the grant extension.</p><br></br> <p>No longer faced with an imminent loss of grant funding, the city would continue to work with Ramirez over the next few months to get the property cleared, and in October of this year a $26,050 contract with R&R Excavating Inc. was approved for the demolition and initial cleanup of the site.</p><br></br> <p>“We have done the demolition and cleanup in two phases,” Hershberger said, speaking from her office early Monday afternoon. “Phase 1 was simply the demolition and removal of all the scrap and debris that were left behind, and that has been completed. We got rid of all the concrete pads that were out there, and we just basically prepped the site. So all the debris is gone. There is still a pile of old gas tanks, however, but those will be cleaned up with our grant money, because it’s more of a cleanup process than just throwing them in a dumpster, because a lot of them are still full of material.”</p><br></br> <p>With the initial cleanup of the site now complete, Hershberger said the next step in the process it to begin the environmental remediation portion of the project.</p><br></br> <p>“Design plans are done, and we are actually bidding out Phase 2 right now, which is the cleanup portion, the remediation,” Hershberger said. “So the plan is to award that contract in January with all work to be completed by June. The grant expires at the end of July, but because we have done so much of the demolition and prep work ahead of time, digging a retention pond can be done even in the winter months, as can the soil work. So we’re pretty confident that we’ll be able to get all this accomplished in the allotted time frame.”</p><br></br> <p>Speaking to the scope of the remediation project, Hershberger said a significant portion of the site’s surface soil will need to be removed and transported to the landfill due to prior contamination from the salvage yard.</p><br></br> <p>“It’s basically taking away the surface material and making sure anything left is acceptable and it’s not going to contaminate a retention basin,” she said. “We have discovered an underground storage tank, so it will include removal of that, making sure no impacts exist because of that, and making sure there’s a clean cap over anything that remains at the end of the day. So the grant funding, the Brownfield funding from the EPA, will cover a large portion of the project.”</p><br></br> <p>As for the actual retention basin project, Hershberger said the plan is to conduct the project in three phases, the first of which will be to construct a retention basin that will collect all the water that’s eventually directed to the site. Phase 2 of the project will involve reconstructing Lincoln Avenue with curb and gutter for about 500 feet past the intersection of Steury Avenue in each direction, and putting in new stormwater infrastructure, while Phase 3 will involve going up Steury Avenue and adding the same infrastructure below grade and directing the stormwater to the site.</p><br></br> <div></div><br></br> <p>“So at the end of the day we’re going to capture everything within that area, but we’re doing it in phases because it’s pretty substantial,” Hershberger said. “While the retention pond is going to encompass most of the site, we are also going to develop land at the northwest edge of the property that could eventually be commercial or industrial, but most likely commercial, offices or something of that nature along Lincoln Avenue.”</p><br></br> <p>Given the significant amount of cleanup that has occurred at the site up to this point, Hershberger said she’s already hearing great things from the surrounding community about the project and is excited to finally see the city’s vision for the site becoming a reality.</p><br></br> <p>“We’ve talked with some of the business owners out there already, and people are glad to see it cleaned up even to the point that it is now,” she said. “So for people to see it when it’s all said and done, it’s going to make such a significant impact to that neighborhood, to have it be green and clean and landscaped. So I’m excited for the community to see what we’ve envisioned since the beginning.”</p><br></br> <p>Along those lines, Hershberger said the current plan is to host a public meeting sometime in early January to update the neighborhood on the status of the project and how things are progressing.</p><br></br> <p>“We had met with them about two years ago,” she said, “but timing has been delayed so substantially that we just want to give them the reassurance that it’s going to happen.”</p><br></br> <p>Read more: <a href="http://www.goshennews.com/news/local_news/eastside-salvage-yard-cleanup-nears-completion/article_0d014bc3-615b-5469-acbf-ca40870296e0.html"> http://www.goshennews.com/news/local_news/eastside-salvage-yard-cleanup-nears-completion/article_0d014bc3-615b-5469-acbf-ca40870296e0.html</a></p><br></br> <p>We now also buy scrap cars: <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/scrap-cars/"> http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/scrap-cars/</a></p><br></br> <p>The post <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/eastside-salvage-yard-cleanup-nears-completion/">Eastside salvage yard cleanup nears completion</a> appeared first on <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/"> http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/</a></p><br></br> <br></br> <br></br> via Cash For Cars - Locations <a href="http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/eastside-salvage-yard-cleanup-nears-completion/">http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com/eastside-salvage-yard-cleanup-nears-completion/</a>