FORD PRICES FOCUS: The new Focus (bleow) arrives at Ford dealers this week. The range, running to 20 model variations, starts at €19,130 for the Freedom 3-door 1.4. At the top end, the 5-door Ghia 1.6 will cost €26,685.
The most popular LX version spans from €20,090 to €25,190 depending on version - about €450 up on the previous model.
Additional standard specification across the Focus II range includes six IPS airbags, ABS with electronic breakforce distribution (EBD), 6-speaker CD/radio and full-size spare wheel.
SHOWROOM FRENZY: It seems every dealership in the State is heavily involved in multi-million euro upgrades these days. Not a week goes by without reading about some dealer who has just spent millions on new showrooms.
The latest this week is the Ray O'Brien Motor Group in Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare, which has spent almost €8 million developing new multi-brand showrooms covering 40,500 square feet.
The group is a main dealer for Opel, Mazda, Mercedes Light Commercials and Mitsubishi. The new showrooms are due to open next month.
TESCO TAXI PLAN: Supermarket chain Tesco has announced a free taxi service for shoppers. Customers can get a cab to anywhere in central London, regardless of how little they spent in store, as part of a four-week trial.
Tesco insists the scheme is not a gimmick and may be extended, but for now the service is limited to just 20 Tesco-branded black cabs operated by Radio Taxis in London.
If shoppers are lucky enough to spot one of the cars they can hail it, show the driver their Tesco receipt and be taken anywhere in zones one and two in the capital. Otherwise customers can call a special hotline and request one of the 20 cabs.