CAR SALES UP 5.6%:New car sales in August fell 1 per cent to 8,991, according to the latest figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
However total sales for the year were up 5.6 per cent at 175,130 and end of year figures are expected to top 190,000.
Toyota are clear leaders, with 26,329 new cars registered up to the end of August, followed by Ford with 19,908 and Volkswagen just one car behind at 19,907.
ILLEGAL INTERFERENCE:Motorists have been warned that devices which interfere with Garda speed checks are illegal and they face prosecution if caught.
It follows a case in the UK, where a motorist was fined and banned from driving when a device fitted to his car and used for automatic garage doors interfered with a police radar speed detector.
A Garda spokesman said: "It is a specific offence under the Road Traffic Act to have a device that interferes with Garda equipment."
The UK case, believed to be the first of its kind, involved businessman John Eady (61) who denied knowing that a transponder had been fitted to his Range Rover. Police said his garage had no automatic doors to connect with the device on the vehicle.
APPROVED USED CARS:BMW has launched its new approved used car programme - BMW Premium Selection - which provides the buyer with a guarantee that every used BMW has been thoroughly checked before sale.
Cars accepted are put through a 124-point inspection and their history is recorded. The inspection process is fully documented and all the paperwork is made available for the next owner to view before they make their purchasing decision.
NEW SKODA OFFERING:Skoda has introduced a new 1.8-litre 160bhp TSI engine to its Octavia range, with prices starting at €24,290. The new engine offers a 0-100km/h time of 8.1 seconds. A Combi estate version is also available.
CITROËN HYBRID:Citroën will unveil its latest hybrid concept - the C-Cactus - at next week's Frankfurt Motor show. The car (pictured above) is strictly a concept model, but is powered by the French company's hybrid HDi drivetrain that claims a fuel consumption of just 3.4 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 78g/km.