Porsche gets a new compact SUV
Porsche is to add a new compact SUV to its range. The Cajun is to be the first of several new additions that will form what Porsche describes as “an attractive entry model in the Porsche world”. As the illustration of the likely design (right) shows, it’s expected to take its cue from the current Cayenne SUV. The latest Porsche will be based on the recently launched Audi Q5 and will go into production in 2013.
It’s likely to be joined by a handful of other new entry-level cars in the coming years as the prestige brand aims to double its annual sales figures to 150,000 vehicles by 2014 and increase co-operation between the firm and its VW Group partners.
Roads take budget cut
Government funding allocation for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is to be cut by 13 per cent next year. As part of its four-year plan the agency’s allocation of €37.5 million will fall by €5 million in 2011. To make up the shortfall, the RSA has been told it can seek “to raise service fees up toward a level that represents full cost-recovery”.
This may result in increases in the cost of the driving test, joining the register of driving instructors and fees for commercial vehicle road worthiness testing. The RSA also receives a proportion of the fee for the National Car Test. Under the four-year plan the budget allocation for the maintenance and repair of national, regional and local roads is also to be cut, from €163 million in 2010 to €154 million in 2011. The department said the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey is currently considering a report from the National Roads Authority (NRA) on where additional road tolls could be located.
Citroën keeps its scrappage in 2011
Citroën is to guarantee its current Scrappage offers for customers who wish to take registration of their new car in 2011, if they order before December 31st 2010.
The current offer allows customers trading in a car first registerd in 2000 or before to pick up a new Citroën C1 from €8,145, a new Citroën C3 from just €11,695 or the C3 Picasso for €16,395. According to Citroën over 90 per cent of their Irish offerings now qualify for the scrappage scheme as they fall into tax band A or B, with emissions of 140g/km or less.
Andy Hall, sales operations manager at Citroën Motors Ireland said; “At this time of year most customers ordering a new car would prefer to wait for the 2011 plate in January. Here at Citroën we wanted to take away the uncertainty of those looking to take advantage of the Scrappage allowance. We are delighted to honour our current Scrappage offers (including the Government Scrappage allowance) in 2011.”