A round-up of today's motor news in brief
"We will be extending the BMW and Mini brands into the small car segment with new models . . . we could envisage developing a common architecture for both front and four-wheel drive"– Norbert Reithofer, chairman of BMW, fuelling speculation that BMW is set to launch a front-wheel-drive supermini – an 0-Series perhaps – to take on Audi's new A1
Band A proving popular
THERE HAS been a very noticeable rise in the number of lower emissions cars sold this year, even in comparison to last year, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
Up to Monday, March 15th, 29 per cent of all new cars this year fell into tax band A, with emissions below 120g/km, compared to 10 per cent for the same period in 2009.
According to SIMI director general, Alan Nolan: “With ‘band A cars’ now representing almost a third of all new cars registered, we are already seeing the positive effects of scrappage.
“Consumers are experiencing both the environmental and economical benefits of making ‘greener’ choices when it comes to buying a new car and with the scrappage scheme running for another nine months, we expect average C02 emissions to fall again.
“This clearly vindicates the decision to introduce incentives for buying new environmentall- friendly cars in last year’s Budget.”
Listen up!
IN THIS week's Irish Times Motorspodcast we mark the arrival of the first plug-in points for electric cars: after months of talking the future seems finally to be upon us.
Plus we take you in-car for the latest in our podcast road tests: this time it’s Honda’s new petrol-electric hybrid Insight.
Listen in at irishtimes.com/ motors/podcast
New branding from Peugeot
FOLLOWING ON from the revamp of the Peugeot logo and brand, the French car firm is set to introduce a new Hors-Serie marketing tag for some new models, starting with the RCZ sports car.
The Hors-Serie range aims to replicate the strategy of Citroën with its new DS branding on some models to make them more exclusive than the mainstream range. Similarly Peugeot will hope to attract more premium buyers with its rival to the Audi TT.
Prices for the RCZ are expected to start at €35,000. It is due in Irish showrooms in the autumn.