A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Late registrations help figures
There was good news for the motor sector as new car sales for the first three months of the year were at 47,996, up 14 per cent on the first quarter last year. New registrations in March were up 5.75 per cent at 14,426.
It was bolstered by a high level of registration activity on the last two days of the month, with 4,360 new cars registered – 30 per cent of last month’s total sales.
Ford registered 704 cars, VW 662, Nissan 565 and Renault 435. Many of these are likely to have been registered either for the rental market or by dealers in order to meet quarterly targets.
The number of cars registered for rental rose by a massive 73 per cent compared to the first three months in 2010, with 4,964 cars ready for an influx of visitors this summer. Let’s hope they arrive.
BMW lifts lid on new M5
BMW’S M5 has broken cover slightly earlier than its public debut at the Shanghai motor show. While BMW didn’t give too much away we do know that gone is the 5.0-litre V10, to be replaced by an eight-cylinder aided by twin turbochargers kicking it up to around 560bhp.
Also gone is the SMG gearbox to be replaced by a seven-speed double clutch transmission with Auto Start/Stop function and these changes will mean that the car has a reduction in fuel consumption and emission levels by more than 25 per cent. Visual clues of the car’s ability include large air intakes for better cooling and a discreet spoiler and diffuser at the rear. The telltale double tailpipes at the rear remain.
More details on our Motors Blog at Irishtimes.com/blogs/motors
Production halts at Saab
Saab yesterday halted production for the second time in eight days as renewed disputes with suppliers strangled delivery of components.
The Swedish carmaker, owned by Spyker Car, is currently in discussions with some suppliers about payment and delivery terms.
“Were starting to get really worried,” said Christer Palm, chairman of Swedish automotive supplier group FKG.“You cant have it this way, stop-and-go, stop-and-go. It isn’t making anybody happy.”
Saab halted production on March 29th after some suppliers withheld deliveries over late payments. (Bloomberg)