What's happening in the motor industry? Andrew Hamilton's weekly digest
• The new managing director of Gowan Distributors Limited, importers and distributors of Peugeot cars, is David McConnell. He succeeds the late James Mulligan.
David was previously sales and marketing director and, in that position, played a pivotal role in the development of the Peugeot franchise here which has seen the French maker's car market share increase from 2.5 per cent in the early 1980s to its current level of 6.6 per cent.
• Frank Webster, a predecessor of David McConnell as sales director of Gowan Distributors, died last week. He was aged 89. Frank is remembered as a happy, colourful character who always answered the telephone with a chirpy "Webster here."
PETROL and diesel prices have remained high during the first quarter of 2002, according to the Automobile Association. Unleaded petrol now has a national average price of 81.6 cents per litre with diesel costing 75.4 cents.
The AA's Conor Faughnan sees no hope of fuel prices falling. He thinks the trend will probably be the other way.
The tense international situtation, particularly the Middle East conflict, is the chief cause. But Conor says Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy must bear blame: "The large excise duty increase of 6.35 cents in December's budget now comes home to roost as ordinary motorists foot the bill. For a modest familly car with a 50-litre fuel tank, a fill-up costs €40.80. But for that excessive duty increase, the cost would be €37.62."
• Charlotte Howard is one of just four Irish members of Score, the international car club of the Suzuki Cappuccino. She is organising a trip for the UK members of the club to the south-east of Ireland at the end of April.
Of the Cappuccino she says: "It's rather as you will see if you log on to the website, www.score.org.uk"
• Paddy Corcoran, a well-known figure in the Irish motor industry and until recently managing director of Fiat Auto Ireland, is going into the retail car trade. Paddy Corcoran Motors Limited has been awarded the Fiat franchise for Co Kildare and is opening for business in Monasterevin as main dealer for both Fiat cars and light commercials.
Paddy says he will now have to practise what he preached for so long - advising dealers how best to build a dealership and telling them that customer service is the core value. Paddy Corcoran's son, Rory, is responsible for sales along with Carl Murphy, who moves from Ray O'Brien Motors in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Jason Page from Kildare Town is service adviser in the after-sales department. The site in Monasterevin has been Fiat before, as Finlays.